Jennifer Garner, Michael Vartan, Victor Garber, Ron Rifkin, Carl Lumbly,
Kevin Weisman and David Anders Join Series' Producer J.J. Abrams
And Writing Team to Collaborate on Development of Next-Generation Title
Offering Hollywood Authenticity of Hit Series
LOS ANGELES, May 12 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- E3 -- Illustrating the
increasing convergence of Hollywood and interactive entertainment,
Acclaim Entertainment, Inc. (Nasdaq: AKLM) today announced that it has signed
an agreement with the cast members of ABC television's critically-acclaimed
series, "Alias," to lend their voices in the series-based video game that will
launch this fall on the PlayStation(R)2 computer entertainment system,
Xbox(TM) video game system from Microsoft and PC. The cast members --
including Jennifer Garner, Michael Vartan, Victor Garber, Ron Rifkin, Carl
Lumbly, Kevin Weisman and David Anders -- have joined the show's producer,
J.J. Abrams, and writing team, who have been collaborating with Buena Vista
Interactive and Acclaim's Cheltenham studio on the development of the Alias
video game.
(Photo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20030512/NYM006-a
http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20030512/NYM006-b )
"We are very excited to be working in concert with this very talented cast
and production team to deliver an entertainment experience that truly captures
the essence of ABC's successful series," said Rod Cousens, Global President
and Chief Operating Officer for Acclaim. "As technology continues to evolve,
it allows us to create content that is on par with feature films and
television."
"As an avid video game player, I have been enjoying the collaborative
product development process and working in a new form of media to create a
video game based on 'Alias,'" added J.J. Abrams, Creator and Executive
Producer of "Alias." "Having the continuity of our cast and writers being
involved with this project ensures that the video game will reflect the
series' production values and definitive style."
"I'm very excited to be part of this game, which is testimony to our
show's loyal fans and talented production team," said Jennifer Garner, who
plays "Alias" lead character, Sydney Bristow. "In working with the
developers, I was extremely impressed with how they captured the look and feel
of the show, especially my 'virtual Sydney' character."
"With the convergence of Hollywood and video games, Alias is a perfect
example of how interactive entertainment has accelerated to the next level,"
said Bruce Gersh, Vice President of Business Development at ABC. "The
fascinating and strong character of 'Alias'' Sydney Bristow is so engaging on
the TV screen, and her 'virtual Sydney' is equally mesmerizing in the video
game."
"Alias is an important initiative in our strategy of producing games that
reach not only the core gaming community, but an older segment of the video
game market through our newly formed label, Buena Vista Interactive," said
Graham Hopper, Senior Vice President and General Manager, Buena Vista Games,
Inc. "Alias is another example of the match of a great franchise becoming a
great game."
Alias is a third-person action adventure video game that allows players to
step into the role of the series' lead character, Sydney Bristow, an agent for
the CIA. Bristow must use her cunning, extensive knowledge of martial arts
and array of high-tech gadgetry to accomplish dangerous missions. Alias
encompasses all of the key elements behind the series' success, including
high-action combat, stealth missions and time-based objectives, espionage,
intriguing plot twists, high-tech weaponry and stunning gameplay locations
that span the globe.
The following "Alias" cast members are featured within the video game:
* Jennifer Garner -- Sydney Bristow
* Michael Vartan -- Michael Vaughn
* Victor Garber -- Jack Bristow
* Ron Rifkin -- Arvin Sloane
* Carl Lumbly -- Marcus Dixon
* Kevin Weisman -- Marshall Flinkman
* David Anders -- Mr. Sark
"Alias" was created by J.J. Abrams, who executive produces the series
along with John Eisendrath, Ken Olin, Alex Kurtzman-Counter and Roberto Orci.
The series, which is filmed in Los Angeles and premiered on September 30,
2001, is from Touchstone Television.
Alias will be available this fall on the PlayStation(R)2 computer
entertainment system, Xbox(TM) and PC at suggested retail prices to be
determined. For more information on this game, please visit
http://www.aliasthegame.com. Acclaim's complete showcase of products will be
featured at E3 in Los Angeles, CA at booth #152 in the Concourse Hall.
About Buena Vista Interactive
Buena Vista Interactive is the core games publishing label of Buena Vista
Games, Inc., the interactive entertainment arm of The Walt Disney Company's
Consumer Products business unit. The label creates, markets and distributes a
broad portfolio of PC and multi-platform video games worldwide. The company
also licenses properties and works directly with third-party interactive game
publishers to bring products for all ages to market.
About Acclaim Entertainment
Based in Glen Cove, NY, Acclaim Entertainment, Inc., is a worldwide
developer, publisher and mass marketer of software for use with interactive
entertainment game consoles, including those manufactured by Nintendo, Sony
Computer Entertainment and Microsoft Corporation as well as personal computer
hardware systems. Acclaim owns and operates five studios located in the
United States and the United Kingdom, and publishes and distributes its
software through its subsidiaries in North America, the United Kingdom,
Germany, France and Spain. The Company uses regional distributors worldwide.
Acclaim also distributes entertainment software for other publishers
worldwide, publishes software gaming strategy guides and issues "special
edition" comic magazines periodically. Acclaim's corporate headquarters are
in Glen Cove, New York, and Acclaim's common stock is publicly traded on
NASDAQ.SC under the symbol AKLM. For more information please visit our
website at http://www.acclaim.com.
The statements contained in this release, which are not historical facts,
are "forward-looking statements." Acclaim cautions readers of this press
release that a number of important factors could cause Acclaim's actual future
results to differ materially from those expressed in any such forward-looking
statements. These important factors, including, without limitation, the
financial strength of the interactive entertainment industry, dependence on
new product introductions and the ability to maintain the scheduling of such
introductions, technological changes, dependence on major platform
manufacturers and other factors that could affect Acclaim, are described in
Acclaim's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended August 31,
2002, and Acclaim's subsequent Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q, all of which
were filed with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission. Readers
of this press release are referred to such filings.
"PlayStation" and the "PS" Family logo are registered trademarks of Sony
Computer Entertainment Inc.
Xbox is a trademark of Microsoft Corporation in the United States and/or
other countries.
Alias (C) ABC, Inc. 2003 Touchstone Television (C). Acclaim (R) & (C) 2003
Acclaim Entertainment, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Developed by Acclaim Studios
Cheltenham. All Rights Reserved.
Contact:
Alan B. Lewis Tara Monahan
Acclaim Entertainment, Inc. Acclaim Entertainment, Inc.
(516) 656-5000 (516) 656-5000
alewis@acclaim.com tmonahan@acclaim.com
SOURCE Acclaim Entertainment, Inc.
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Related links:
http://www.acclaim.com
http://www.aliasthegame.com
Photo Notes:
NewsCom:
http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20030512/NYM006-a
http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20030512/NYM006-b ) AP
PhotoExpress Network: PRN1-PRN2 PRN Photo Desk,
+1-888-776-6555 or +1-212-782-2840
CONTACT:
Alan B. Lewis, alewis@acclaim.com, or Tara
Monahan, tmonahan@acclaim.com, both of Acclaim Entertainment,
Inc., +1-516-656-5000
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