Afro Samurai

Hip hop meets Japanese swordplay in animated series spin-off.

News by GamesIndustry International Contributor

Published on April 17, 2008

Santa Clara, Calif., (April 16, 2008) – High-style action comes to the Xbox 360® video game and entertainment system from Microsoft and PLAYSTATION®3 computer entertainment system this fall with Afro Samurai® from NAMCO BANDAI Games America Inc. Join Afro in his tale of revenge as he searches for his father’s murderer and the holder of the coveted number one headband. Based on the hit animated series starring and co-produced by Samuel L. Jackson, Afro Samurai blends modern hip hop and technology with traditional Japanese culture into a brutally fresh cinematic experience.

“Afro Samurai’s unique mash-up of urban hip hop culture with traditional Japanese aesthetics and innovative combat mechanics provides a fresh new approach to the action adventure genre,” said Todd Thorson, Director of Marketing and Public Relations for NAMCO BANDAI Games America. “Afro Samurai delivers an episodic experience with addictive, immersive and compelling gameplay that’s literally dripping in style.”

Follow Afro Samurai as he fights to become the number one warrior, a title currently held by Justice, the man who killed Afro’s father when he was a child. The game follows the plot of the original series with added material and background for fans and new comers alike.

Blood is beautiful™ in this hip hop infused action adventure as Samuel L. Jackson reprises his role as Afro and Ninja Ninja. A striking art style gives Afro Samurai a truly unique look and feel across beautifully animated open environments as he wages war against his adversaries to become number one. Using an innovative gameplay system, enemy AI is affected by the beat of the musical score produced by RZA of Wu-Tang Clan fame. These dynamic battles ensure stylized encounters throughout the game that affect the overall tone of gameplay. Slice and dismember opponents as Afro acrobatically leaps from one location to the next, interacting with anything and everything in the environment to help him on his journey.

For more information about Afro Samurai, please visit: http://www.namcobandaigames.com

###

About NAMCO BANDAI Games America Inc.

NAMCO BANDAI Games America Inc., is a leading interactive entertainment software publisher and developer based in Santa Clara, CA. The company is a part of the NAMCO BANDAI group of companies known for creating and publishing many of the industry's top video game franchises including the PAC-MAN®, SOULCALIBUR®, Naruto™ and Tekken® brands. For more information about NAMCO BANDAI Games America Inc., and our products log onto www.namcobandaigames.com.

All rights reserved. “PlayStation", "PLAYSTATION", and "PS" Family logo are registered trademarks of Sony Computer Entertainment Inc. Xbox, Xbox 360, and Xbox Live are either registered trademarks or trademarks of Microsoft Corporation in the United States and/or other countries.

Contacts

Arne Cual-Pedroso

NAMCO BANDAI Games America Inc.

(408) 235 – 2132

apedroso@namcobandaigames.com

Loretta Stevens

Weber Shandwick

(415) 248-3434

lstevens@webershandwick.com