Digital River, Inc. (NASDAQ: DRIV), a leading provider of global e-commerce solutions, has signed a joint marketing agreement with PLAYXPERT, a provider of next-generation, in-game community management tools for PC gamers. By working with PLAYXPERT, Digital River will offer game publishers, resellers and studios a way to engage players of PC-based games in a branded in-game experience that integrates e-commerce with their online communities.

“With the retail market consolidating, and digital delivery and gaming communities growing in popularity, the game industry continues to undergo change,” said Joel Ronning, Digital River’s CEO. “Publishers, resellers and studios are looking for new ways to build ongoing revenue streams. Joining forces with PLAYXPERT is a first step in a broader strategy to help companies involved with PC games to build not only these critical new revenue sources, but also more engaged and sustainable relationships with players of their games.”

Using PLAYXPERT’S True Overlay™ technology publishers, resellers and studios can configure, brand and deploy a full-featured, in-game toolset that appears as a translucent window inside a PC-based game. Through this toolset and a widget gallery, players can access the Internet to watch videos, research items, chat online, and take part in other community- and content-based activities – all without leaving the game experience.

By delivering this solution in combination with its global e-commerce platform, Digital River is giving players the added ability to make purchases while in-game. The purchases will be backed by the functionality, security and global reliability of Digital River’s proven in-store e-commerce platform. For publishers, the integration opens up a new channel for monetizing their games, selling into global markets and building ongoing customer relationships.

“Community is one of the strongest mechanisms used in gaming to promote adoption and commerce. Early efforts to combine community with commerce have proven successful and opened the door for further innovation,” said Charles Manning, president and CEO of PLAYXPERT. “We are thrilled to be selected by Digital River as a partner in optimizing the in-game purchase experience and delivering a new best-of-breed solution for players and publishers alike.”

The companies will be presenting the new solution on March 25-27, 2009, during the Game Developer’s Conference at the Moscone Center (West Hall, Meeting Room 12) in San Francisco.