VU Games Showcases 18 Multi-Platform Releases, Including:
Blizzard Entertainment's World of Warcraft(TM) and StarCraft: Ghost(TM);
Half-Life(R) 2;
Crash(TM) Twinsanity(TM);
Spyro(TM): A Hero's Tail(TM);
Van Helsing;
The Chronicles of Riddick(TM): Escape from Butcher Bay
and Fight Club(TM)
LOS ANGELES, May 6 /PRNewswire/ -- Vivendi Universal Games (VU Games)
today announced its multi-platform product line-up for the 2004 Electronic
Entertainment Expo (E3). The company will showcase 18 highly anticipated
titles, including: World of Warcraft(TM) from Blizzard Entertainment, marking
VU Games' entry into the massively multi-player online role-playing games
category, StarCraft: Ghost(TM), a tactical-action console game set in
Blizzard's epic StarCraft(R) universe; Half-Life(R)2, the sequel to the 1998
PC hit that won more than 50 game-of-the-year awards; Crash(TM) Twinsanity(TM)
and Spyro(TM): A Hero's Tail, the latest installments from two highly
successful original character franchises; Van Helsing(TM) and The Chronicles
of Riddick(TM): Escape from Butcher Bay, titles based on major theatrical
releases from Universal Pictures this spring; and Fight Club(TM), a gritty
fighting game based on the feature film from Fox Filmed Entertainment.
"VU Games will feature an exciting range of highly creative games at E3,
including hit franchise sequels, movie-based games, and new intellectual
properties," said Bruce Hack, CEO of VU Games. "We are showcasing titles that
target the global marketplace across all major console platforms and the PC
and featuring the company's great big, innovative entry into the MMORPG
business from Blizzard."
The titles listed below will be on display at VU Games' E3 booth (#1200)
located in the South Hall of the Los Angeles Convention Center (listed in
alphabetical order):
The Chronicles of Riddick(TM): Escape from Butcher Bay
Experience life behind the eyes of Richard B. Riddick as he sets foot
inside Butcher Bay, the toughest prison this side of hell. Set before the
events of both Universal Pictures' upcoming summer release The Chronicles of
Riddick, starring Vin Diesel, and the 2000 cult classic Pitch Black, the game
tells the story of Riddick's dramatic escape from the previously inescapable
triple max security slam Butcher Bay, home to the most violent prisoners in
the galaxy. Featuring the likeness and voice work of Vin Diesel, the game is
played from a primarily first-person perspective (with special third-person
actions). Using cutting edge normal mapping technology, the game meticulously
recreates the horrors of the prison with vivid realism. To escape, players
will have to make maximum use of the game's stunning environments, including
using shadows, subterfuge and distractions to avoid patrols. Moving and
attacking in darkness is particularly effective for Riddick as his haunting
"eye shine" gives him the ability to see without ambient light. However,
stealth won't serve every situation and players will be able to take the
action up close and personal. As Riddick, players will be able to sneak up
behind enemies and snap necks or fight face to face using fists, elbows and
grapples. Additionally, players will be able to capture weapons such as
shanks, shotguns, or assault rifles and use these to cut a swath of
destruction through anyone who gets in their way. Riddick will be available
in June of 2004 for the Xbox(R) video game system from Microsoft.
Crash(TM) Twinsanity(TM) (Titled Crash(TM)Unlimited(TM) in Europe and Asia
Pacific)
A new evil has invaded the island paradise of Crash Bandicoot(R), with
plans of destruction. In a strange twist, Crash reluctantly pairs with his
archenemy, Dr. Neo Cortex, in order to save the world. Through this
unorthodox partnership, Cortex is abused as Crash's favorite weapon when Crash
and Cortex are controlled as one in this all-new gameplay mechanic. Gamers
will encounter reactive enemies, fully immersive environments and a wacky cast
of brand new characters in Crash Bandicoot's craziest and funniest adventure
ever. Crash Twinsanity is scheduled for release third quarter 2004 for the
PlayStation(R)2 computer entertainment system and the Xbox(R) video game
system from Microsoft. Outside of North America this game will be titled
Crash Unlimited(TM).
Dark Age of Camelot: Catacombs(TM)
Introducing Dark Age of Camelot: Catacombs(TM) the 3rd expansion pack to
the best-selling, award-winning Dark Age of Camelot(R) massively multiplayer
online role-playing game. You'll discover an underground city in each of
Camelot's three realms, replete with hidden dungeons, new mysteries, fearsome
enemies and catacombs that can be set up to host private adventures. With new
classes and enhancements to character customization as well, Catacombs brings
a whole new world of challenges to the Dark Age of Camelot fan. Dark Age of
Camelot: Catacombs is scheduled for release in December 2004.
Empire Earth(R) 2
From the discovery of fire to the technological frontiers of the future,
Empire Earth(R) 2 will serve up worldwide conquest on an epic scale. In the
sequel to GameSpy.com's 2001 "PC Game of the Year," gamers will take control
of a fledgling civilization and strive to forge the greatest of all empires.
Empire Earth 2 builds upon the success of its predecessor by adding unique
units, powers, leaders, and inherent bonuses to all of the game's 14 different
civilizations. The game's new Crown System will provide temporary, but
potent, rewards for players who demonstrate excellent military, economic,
imperialistic, or cultural ability. A war planning screen will help teammates
coordinate their efforts by allowing them to use a map of the world to diagram
troop movements. Multiplayer competition will feature nine different game
types, including new additions to the series such as "Hot Spots," which force
gamers to capture and hold positions of strategic importance. Lastly, Empire
Earth 2 will include popular player-requested features like recorded games,
improved tournament support, multiplayer co-operative scenarios, and advanced
statistics reporting. Empire Earth 2 will be available the first half of
2005, for the PC.
Evil Genius(TM)
In this clever and entertaining strategy/life simulation game created by
Elixir Studios, the player assumes the role of a wicked mastermind bent on
achieving global domination through the construction of the ultimate doomsday
device. A tongue-in-cheek take on the 60's spy thriller genre, Evil
Genius(TM) offers the player the chance to be the villain and control a secret
island fortress complete with powerful (and strangely dressed) henchmen,
mindlessly loyal minions and a wide range of hilarious gizmos. All the
everyday tasks of the megalomaniac are available to experience as players
build a secret base, train minions, gain infamy and notoriety by completing
daring missions, toy with the forces of justice by setting clever traps,
torture captives with ingenious devices, and develop evil super weapons to
complete a nefarious master plan. Evil Genius is scheduled for release in
September of 2004, for the PC.
Fahrenheit(TM)
Fahrenheit(TM) is a spectacular psycho thriller, set in New-York. For no
apparent reason, ordinary people are randomly killing total strangers with the
same ritual and pattern. Lucas Kane becomes one of these murderers. Finding
himself in control of Lucas, the player is haunted by strange visions and the
desperate need to find out what is happening to him. At the same time he must
keep one step ahead of the police, especially Inspector Carla Valenti and
agent Tyler Miles. A constant interaction with the storyline makes the story
change as a result of your decisions. Fahrenheit gives gamers the unique
chance to play both hunter and hunted, which in turn leads them to speak,
explore, interact, fight and confront unknown dark forces. The final
countdown has already begun. Fahrenheit is scheduled for release winter 2004,
on the PlayStation(R)2 computer entertainment system and PC.
Fight Club(TM)
Players will be immersed in this gritty visceral world of fighting by
playing as one of the many characters from the Fight Club movie. The extreme
realism of the game will have players feel every punch and kick by delivering
shocking visuals of broken bones, blood stained ripped clothes and real-time
facial deformation in fully interactive environments familiar from the movie
scenes. A no-holds-barred realistic fighter, the game will portray the
brutality of street fighting while encompassing the artistic style, settings,
storyline and characters from the movie with an extremely realistic fighting
system and jaw-dropping special effects. With 3 different fighting styles
and intuitive controls, ability to create fighters and online gameplay, the
game will create a deeply rewarding yet challenging and unique experience for
fighting fans of all levels. Fight Club is scheduled for release in fourth
quarter 2004, on the PlayStation(R)2 computer entertainment system and Xbox(R)
video game system from Microsoft.
Ground Control(R) II: Operation Exodus
Ground Control(R) II is a real-time tactics game set in a gritty science-
fiction universe. It delivers explosively fast game play focusing on combat
tactics with full use of the 3D battlefield. Weather and other environmental
effects also affect the unit's performance on the battleground. In the war
torn year of 2741, Captain Jacob Angelus of the Northern Star Alliance (NSA)
becomes the central figure in the fight against the warmongering Terran
Empire. In an attempt to crush the NSA permanently, the Terran Empire sends
in an alien race of powerful warriors -- the Virons. It soon becomes apparent
that the situation is bleak for the NSA and that their only hope is to embark
on an Exodus to another part of the galaxy. Jacob Angelus must find a way to
let his people survive. Ground Control II: Operation Exodus will be available
in early July 2004, for the PC.
Half-Life(R)2
1998: Half-Life sends a shock through the game industry with its
combination of pounding action and continuous, immersive storytelling.
Valve's debut title wins more than 50 game-of-the-year awards on its way to
being named "Best PC Game Ever" by PC Gamer and launches a franchise with more
than eight million retails units sold worldwide. Now: Half-Life 2. By taking
the suspense, challenge and visceral charge of the original, and adding
startling new realism and responsiveness, Half-Life 2 opens the door to a
world where the player's presence affects everything around him, from the
physical environments to the behaviors -- even the emotions -- of both friends
and enemies. The player again picks up the crowbar of research scientist,
Gordon Freeman, who finds himself on an alien-infested Earth being picked to
the bone, its resources depleted, its populace dwindling. Freeman is thrust
into the unenviable role of rescuing the world from the wrong he unleashed
back at Black Mesa. And a lot of people -- people he cares about -- are
counting on him. The intense, real-time gameplay of Half-Life 2 is made
possible only by Source, Valve's new proprietary engine technology. Source
provides major enhancements in the advanced facial animation system, physics,
graphics and AI. Half-Life 2 will be available for the PC.
Leisure Suit Larry(TM): Magna Cum Laude
Developed by High Voltage Software, Leisure Suit Larry(TM): Magna Cum
Laude is the coming of age story about Larry Lovage, nephew of Larry Laffer,
the series' original lovable loser. In Magna Cum Laude, Lovage starts as a
pathetic loser enrolled at Community College who spends most of his time in
his dorm room, or on campus striking out with women. After hearing about a
reality TV dating show visiting his college campus, he resolves to revitalize
his life and win. Over the course of the game, Larry sets out on an epic
search for love (or its equivalent) and finds that things don't always go as
planned. The Leisure Suit Larry videogame franchise began in 1987 with The
Land of the Lounge Lizards, the first of seven games in the series. Since
then, the Leisure Suit Larry games have sold millions of units worldwide and
its games are considered collector items. Leisure Suit Larry: Magna Cum Laude
will be available in October 2004 for the PlayStation(R)2 computer
entertainment system, the Xbox(R) video game system from Microsoft, and
the PC.
Men of Valor(TM)
Men of Valor(TM) is an historical action experience that portrays infantry
combat during the Vietnam War. Combining the latest Unreal technology with
the gameplay expertise of 2015 (developers of the award-winning Medal of
Honor: Allied Assault), the game immerses the player in the humid jungles of
Southeast Asia in the most controversial conflict of the modern era. Men of
Valor follows an American Marine through the early stages of the conflict in
Vietnam to the Tet Offensive. Touching on the some of the most familiar
scenes of the war as they exist in the popular imagination, the player guides
his group of fellow soldiers through the hardship and confusion of the
battlefield, bonding with them as they do their duty for their country with
the heroism and valor typical of the American soldier, but unsung during the
turbulent times. Men of Valor will be available in October 2004 for the
Xbox(R) video game system from Microsoft, and the PC.
Predator(TM): Concrete Jungle
Gamers will hunt down their prey in an urban killing zone as they take on
the legendary role of the lethal Predator within this 3rd person action
extravaganza. The intergalactic hunter has its sights set on Earth in this
new console game. In Predator(TM): Concrete Jungle, the gripping tale of the
fearsome alien's history on Earth unfolds between two separate time periods,
first the 1930s and then in the 2030s, as the Predator embarks on a mission of
revenge upon an organized crime empire and its leader who seek to conquer all
Predators. Taking inspiration from the popular film franchise, the game
allows players to roam a vast city landscape stalking human prey while armed
to the teeth with hunt-adapted vision modes, cloaking technology, and
extraterrestrial weapons of annihilation. Predator: Concrete Jungle will be
available in the fourth quarter 2004 for the PlayStation(R)2 computer
entertainment system, and the Xbox(R) video game system from Microsoft.
Red Ninja: End of Honor(TM)
Red Ninja: End of Honor(TM) is a third person action game that cohesively
blends a variety of game-play features including action, adventure, stealth,
and seduction and fighting. All these elements have been placed into Japan in
the 1500's, here the power of the samurai class is fading and the use of the
Ninja has become necessary to hold any political power in this chaotic time.
Kurenai is a young girl who's world is destroyed when she and her father are
attacked by the deadly Black Lizard Clan, a group that captures her and
brutally hangs her by a wire and leaves her to die. Miraculously, she
survives and is rescued and adopted into a clan where she obtains complete
mastery of her unique weapon, the Tetsugen (steel wire). Kurenai has pledged
her undying loyalty to her new family. She now lives to avenge her father's
death and will go to any means necessary to destroy the Black Lizard Clan.
Red Ninja: End of Honor is scheduled for release in the Fall of 2004, on the
PlayStation(R)2 computer entertainment system and the Xbox(R) video game
system from Microsoft.
Spyro(TM): A Hero's Tail
Spyro must save the Dragon Realms from the Evil Red Dragon who has planted
light-sapping Dark Gems all over the Dragon Realms in an attempt to capture
and control the world. With the help of his allies, Spyro must seek out and
destroy all of the Dark Gems to return the lands back to normal and to save
the Dragon Realms from the evil dragon's tyrannical control. Full of brand
new dragon powers and abilities, gadgets, real-time morphing environments and
five playable characters, A Hero's Tail is the greatest Spyro adventure yet!
Spyro: A Hero's Tail is scheduled for release fourth quarter 2004 for the
PlayStation(R)2 computer entertainment system, the Xbox(R) video game system
from Microsoft, and Nintendo GameCube(TM).
StarCraft: Ghost(TM)
StarCraft: Ghost(TM), Blizzard Entertainment's upcoming tactical-action
console game, refines the epic experience of StarCraft(R) to the level of the
individual soldier. Engage the StarCraft universe face-to-face as Nova, a
deadly Ghost operative in the employ of the Dominion. With the help of a
determined group of allies, follow story-driven missions that take you from
massive planetary battles through dangerous solo operations to an unexpected
turn of events that leaves the fate of the universe in your hands. Featuring
a revolutionary new style of gameplay that showcases Nova's physical and
psionic abilities, as well as an arsenal of sophisticated weaponry, off-planet
call-downs, and vehicles straight out of the StarCraft strategy game,
StarCraft: Ghost will be available for the PlayStation(R)2 computer
entertainment system, the Xbox(R) video game system from Microsoft, and the
Nintendo GameCube(TM).
Tribes(R): Vengeance
In Tribes(R): Vengeance, the next installment in the Tribes franchise
gamers become immersed in a roiling galactic thriller. Throughout the game,
the player catches glimpses of myriad interrelated stories that unfold behind-
the-scenes and is given the opportunity to experience the full scope of the
single-player story through multiple viewpoints and characters. Utilizing the
Vengeance Engine powered by Unreal technology, the world is brought to life
with characters that have facial expressions and fully-realized personalities,
vehicles that kick up dust as they pass by, and weapons that display
spectacular effects. Tribes: Vengeance will also build upon the Tribes
series' legendary online multiplayer action by continuing to focus on
team-oriented goals and fluid movement. Developer Irrational Games has hired
one of the Tribes community's leading developers to head up the design and
creation of the game's multiplayer component. Particular focus is being given
to making Tribes: Vengeance easily accessible to the video game modification
(MOD) community. Irrational Games and VU Games have worked together to ensure
that Tribes: Vengeance's game modification tools are easily accessible and
robust. Tribes: Vengeance will be available in the fourth quarter of 2004,
for the PC.
Van Helsing(TM)
Van Helsing, the third-person action game, transports players to a new
world of fantastical reality set in 19th century Transylvania -- home to the
legendary Dracula, Frankenstein's Monster and the Wolf Man. As the renowned
monster hunter Van Helsing, players must hunt down and destroy the evil that
inhabits these ancient lands before darkness engulfs the world. As players
progress through Transylvania and the strongholds of Castle Frankenstein and
Castle Dracula, they'll encounter untold fiends and evil minions including the
legendary dark prince Dracula, Frankenstein's Monster, the Wolf Man and Igor
as well as a host of original creatures created for the game including stone
gargoyles, fell spirits and banshees. Van Helsing will be available May 7th
for the PlayStation(R)2 computer entertainment system, the Xbox(R) video game
system from Microsoft, and Nintendo's Game Boy(R) Advance.
World of Warcraft(TM)
In World of Warcraft, Blizzard Entertainment's upcoming online role-
playing experience set in the award-winning Warcraft(R) universe, three years
have passed since the aftermath of Warcraft III: The Frozen Throne(TM), and a
great tension now smolders throughout the ravaged world of Azeroth. As the
battle-worn races begin to rebuild their shattered kingdoms, new threats, both
ancient and ominous, arise to plague the world once again. Being "massively
multiplayer," World of Warcraft allows players to assume the roles of Warcraft
heroes and interact with thousands of other players online as they explore,
adventure, and quest across a vast world. Whether adventuring together or
fighting against each other in epic battles, players will form friendships,
forge alliances, and compete with enemies for power and glory. World of
Warcraft is being developed for PC and Mac and is currently in the closed-beta
phase of testing.
Behind-Closed-Doors -- By Appointment Only:
VU Games and Monolith Productions will provide the media a sneak peek of
the latest action-packed project from the developer that created award-winning
games like Aliens vs. Predator(TM) 2, the No One Lives Forever(TM) franchise
and Tron(R)2.0. This project might be described as The Matrix meets The Ring,
an intense close-quarters combat experience with rich atmosphere and an
engaging story presented entirely in first person.
About Vivendi Universal Games
Headquartered in Los Angeles, VU Games is a global developer, publisher
and distributor of interactive products for all major platforms including PCs,
video game consoles and the Internet. VU Games development studios and
publishing labels include Blizzard Entertainment, Coktel, Fox Interactive,
Knowledge Adventure, Massive Entertainment and Sierra Entertainment.
Additionally, VU Games co-publishes and/or distributes titles for a number of
strategic partners, including Interplay, inXile entertainment, Majesco and
Mythic Entertainment.
All trademarks referenced herein are property of their respective owners.
SOURCE Vivendi Universal Games
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Related links:
http://www.vugames.com
CONTACT:
Leslie Hollingshead, Global Communications
(Corporate Information), Vivendi Universal Games,
+1-310-431-4533, leslie.hollingshead@vugames.com; or Sarita
Churchill, +1-310-431-4622, sarita.churchill@vugames.com, or
Marla Rothschild, +1-310-431-4375, marla.rothschild@vugames.com,
both of Vivendi Universal Games Product Public Relations, North
America; or Stephane Vallet, +33 01 30 67 30 30,
stephane.vallet@vu-games.com, or Simon Maflin, +33 01 30 67 30
30, simon.maflin@vu-games.com, both of Vivendi Universal Games
Product Public Relations, Europe; or Kim Watt of Vivendi
Universal Games Product Public Relations, Asia-Pacific, +65 67 25
9802, kim.watt@vugames.com.sg; or Lisa Bucek of Blizzard
Entertainment, +1-949-854-6200, lbucek@blizzard.com
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