Press Release

SAN MATEO, Calif. and SANTA MONICA, Calif., April 4 -- Makena Technologies, producers of the popular social virtual world "There.com," and the interactive game developer Trilogy Studios have joined with MTV Networks' Music Group to release "Virtual Pimp My Ride," the new virtual world based on MTV's wildly popular television show "Pimp My Ride."

Like Virtual Laguna Beach and Virtual Hills before it, Virtual Pimp My Ride integrates MTV's television programming with Makena's virtual world technology, creating an immersive platform that engages viewers on a deeper level. Trilogy Studios' art helps bring to life the car customization culture that audiences see on-air.

Through Virtual Pimp My Ride, fans of the show can engross themselves in the car culture of Van Nuys, Calif., a real-life hotbed for custom-car conversions. After buying a starter vehicle, viewers can visit the Galpin Auto Sports garage -- patterned after the one they see on-air -- and begin customizing their cars in the tricked out fashion they see on the show. Users can also cruise seamlessly around the Virtual Laguna Beach, Virtual Hills and now Virtual Pimp My Ride worlds in their new tricked-out cars, competing on new racing tracks and participating in in-world challenges and events.

Virtual Pimp My Ride debuts tomorrow in conjunction with the on-air season premiere of "Pimp My Ride," hosted by rapper Xzibit.

"Virtual Pimp My Ride lets fans of the show live the on-air experience by letting them create their own custom rides and share a love for fast, tricked-out cars," said Michael Wilson, CEO of Makena Technologies.

"We feel extremely fortunate to have the opportunity to work with Makena Technologies, the There.com platform and MTV Networks for our first virtual world production," said Rick Giolito, president of Trilogy Studios. "Our focus was to utilize the incredible power of Makena and the reach of MTV Networks, and match it with our expertise in AAA game development to help push virtual world development to new levels of interactivity and immersion."

Virtual Pimp My Ride represents the next evolution of MTV Networks' virtual worlds and will extend car culture further into the stations current virtual worlds -- Virtual Laguna Beach and Virtual Hills -- with two annex Galpin Auto Sport's garages. MTV Networks' virtual worlds have attracted more than 600,000 members in six months. Virtual Pimp My Ride is the third virtual world experience from MTV Networks to be hosted on the There.com platform.

About Makena Technologies, Inc.

Makena Technologies was founded to change the way people communicate, socialize and express themselves online. The company produces two leading 3-D virtual worlds: There.com, launched in 2003, and Virtual Hills and Laguna Beach, launched in 2006 in partnership with MTV Networks. Makena's virtual worlds foster rich social experiences and community through seamless technology. Members can communicate in real-time using emotions, body language, text chat and voice to express themselves, as well as participate in a number of activities like racing vehicles, playing cards, flying, designing homes, playing paintball, hoverboarding and even training virtual pets. Makena provides "PG-13" virtual environments that block pornography, nude avatars and extreme language. Avatars cannot die or shed blood, making Makena's virtual worlds non-violent, positive social experiences that are appropriate for users of all ages. The company has offices in San Mateo, CA and Laguna Beach, CA. For more information, visit http://www.there.com.

About Trilogy Studios

Privately-held Trilogy Studios was formed in 2005 by industry game veterans Rick Giolito and Michael Pole and is based in Santa Monica, CA. Trilogy Studios develops interactive entertainment software for next generation game platforms and the PC. Trilogy Studios is comprised of highly successful creative executives and developers responsible for some of the biggest franchises in the interactive entertainment industry including Medal of Honor(TM), The Chronicles of Riddick(TM), The Hulk(TM), Aliens vs. Predator(TM), No One Lives Forever(TM), The Simpsons(TM), NASCAR(TM) and Knockout Kings(TM). For more information, visit http://www.trilogystudios.com.

Press Contact:
Kerry Coulter
Dotted Line Communications (for There.com)
415-829-7152
kerry@dottedlinecomm.com


Michelle Andersen
Dotted Line Communications (for There.com)
415-292-3677