Web hosting service provider Affinity Internet has released Server Mechanic, an online flash game. This new IT-focused game will test players’ technical skills and allow them to win big prizes, including the coveted Xbox 360, the popular Gears of War game, an LCD flat-screen HD TV, domain names, and other prizes.

The free interactive flash game replicates the real life challenges facing today’s IT professionals, such as finding and locating a malfunctioning server in a crowded data center, replacing faulty hardware components and figuring out the right commands to bring a dead server back to life. Players can experience the four level game on their own or challenge a friend to compete against them in real time over the web.

“We had a great time creating a game that the true ‘geeks’ of the world would really enjoy playing while also honoring them at the same time,” said Jim Collins, CEO, Affinity Internet. “Server Mechanic celebrates IT personnel as unsung heroes in the office place and provides a great way for them to know that Gate.com understands their professional challenges.”

Server Mechanic (www.ServerMechanic.com) rewards players for their efforts both in terms of fame, through up-to-the-minute online rankings of the fastest players and their best times, and fortune, through the prizes that are awarded to the top players with the fastest times at the end of each weekly round.

Prizes include the Xbox 360 and Gears of War game and more and will be awarded each week for nine weeks, based on players’ positions on a leader board, which is based on their overall time for completing the game. At the end of the competition’s run, the player with the best overall time will automatically win a 32” LCD HDTV.

In total, the company will be giving out more than $10K in prizes within the game cycle. Since all players are winners, every competitor is eligible to receive a 90-day free trial hosting with Gate.com, desktop wallpaper or be eligible to win an Xbox 360 via a random drawing. Winners will be announced on Gate.com each week.

Affinity Internet (www.affinity.com) is committed to empowering its customers to write their own Internet success stories.

The company provides more than 180,000 web professionals and small businesses the tools to develop, maintain, market and support their web presence, making the Internet a useful and relevant part of their businesses. Affinity’s brands include: ValueWeb, for web design, eCommerce hosting and online marketing solutions and Gate.com, the cutting-edge UNIX and Windows web hosting service. Affinity’s co-brand and private-label partner programs enable leading service providers and Internet brands to extend their value proposition to include feature-rich web site, ecommerce and online marketing services and applications.

Affinity’s services are supported by its customer service “success guides” -- knowledgeable consultants with a passion for serving small businesses and a dedication to ensuring their growth and success.