Ubisoft Carves Waves With Surf's Up™
Sony Pictures Animation's Big-Screen Surf Spectacular Splashes into the Interactive Realm Leading to Film Release on June 8, 2007
Surf's Up Cast Members Shia LaBeouf, Jeff Bridges, Zooey Deschanel, Mario Cantone, Diedrich Bader, and Sal Masekela Lend Voices to Game
SAN FRANCISCO - March 19, 2007 - Ubisoft, one of the world's largest video game publishers, in collaboration with Sony Pictures Animation and Sony Pictures Consumer Products, announced today that the Surf's Up video game, based on Sony Pictures Animation's feature-length CG animated film, in theaters June 8, 2007, will be shipping May 22, 2007, for the PLAYSTATION®3 computer entertainment system, PlayStation®2 computer entertainment system, PSP® (PlayStation®Portable) system, Xbox 360 video game and entertainment system from Microsoft, Wii, Nintendo GameCube, Nintendo DS, Game Boy® Advance, and Windows® PC.
The Surf's Up video game features the voice talent from the stars of the feature-length movie. Cast members Shia LaBeouf as Cody Maverick; Jeff Bridges as Big Z; Zooey Deschanel as Lani Aliikai; Mario Cantone as Mikey Abromowitz; Diedrich Bader as Tank; and Sal Masekela as the announcer for the sports network SPEN, all provided new and original dialogue for the game. In addition, film clips featuring all the characters from the film - including Chicken Joe (Jon Heder) and surfing icons Kelly Slater and Rob Machado (themselves) - are showcased in the game.
"Ubisoft has the creative and technological abilities to develop a cutting-edge arcade surfing game based on Sony Pictures Animation's new film, Surf's Up," said Mark Caplan, Vice President, Interactive at Sony Pictures Consumer Products. "Sony's partnership with Ubisoft has helped to expand our properties by creating fun interactive experiences beyond the movies while maintaining the creativity and artistic beauty of the films."
Developed by Ubisoft's award-winning Montreal studio, Surf's Up takes players on a tubular surf adventure with Cody Maverick, an up-and-coming surfer, entering his first pro competition. The game plunges players into the exciting world of surfing, featuring thrilling surf tricks, cool surf locales and all the characters from the Surf's Up movie.
"Ubisoft is excited to be developing an innovative, first-class surfing game based on all the cool characters from the Surf's Up movie. With its compelling storyline, sports dynamic and humor, the movie lends itself extremely well as a video game experience," said Tony Key, vice president of marketing for Ubisoft. "Keeping with its goal to secure strong partnerships and to be one of the leading developers of movie-based games, Ubisoft has worked closely with Sony Pictures Animation and Sony Pictures Consumer Products to develop a video game that captures the adventure and excitement from the movie."
About Surf's Up
Surf's Up is an animated comedy that delves behind the scenes of the high-octane world of competitive surfing. The film profiles teenage Rockhopper penguin Cody Maverick (Shia LaBeouf), an up-and-coming surfer, as he enters his first pro competition. Followed by a camera crew to document his experiences, Cody leaves his family and home in Shiverpool, Antarctica, to travel to Pen Gu Island for the Big Z Memorial Surf Off. Along the way, Cody meets surf nut Chicken Joe (Jon Heder), famous surf promoter Reggie Belafonte (James Woods), surf talent scout Mikey Abromowitz (Mario Cantone) and spirited lifeguard Lani Aliikai (Zooey Deschanel), all of whom recognize Cody's passion for surfing, even if it's a bit misguided at times. Cody believes that winning will bring him the admiration and respect he desires, but when he unexpectedly comes face-to-face with a washed-up old surfer (Jeff Bridges), Cody begins to find his own way, and discovers that a true winner isn't always the one who comes in first. The fun-filled movie is directed by Ash Brannon (Toy Story 2) and Chris Buck (Tarzan) and produced by Chris Jenkins.
About the Game
Surf's Up is an exciting arcade surfing and extreme sports video game. The action is set at the annual "Reggie Belafonte Big Z Memorial Surf Off," where surfers from around the world are ready to risk it all for glory. Players will experience the rush and thrills of surfing in exotic surf spots around Pen Gu Island and can rip it up and play as one of 10 characters from the film, including Cody, the young challenger from Shiverpool; Tank, the merciless champion; or Big Z, the surfing legend from the past. Only by mastering and understanding the waves can the player become not only the new champion, but a true surf legend. Game features include:
Innovative arcade and surf feeling with players performing a variety of impressive tricks in the air and learning to surf inside a tube. Win the championship in the single-player mode or challenge your friends in the multiplayer mode with easy pick-up-and-play game controls. 10 playable characters with their own tricks and characteristics. Impressive water simulation and physics. Surf in a variety of locations, each with its own waves and obstacles. Train in the calm water of Shiverpool, ride your first tubes in Pen Gu Island, and try to surf on the explosive waters of the volcano area. Tons of unlockable content. Awesome game soundtrack for carving waves featuring 10 licensed music tracks.Visit the official website for the Surf's Up movie - http://www.surfsup.com - and the official website for the Surf's Up video game - http://www.surfsupgame.com.
Surf's Up: TM & ® 2007 Sony Pictures Animation Inc. All rights reserved. Game Software excluding Sony Elements: ® 2007 Ubisoft Entertainment. All rights reserved. Ubisoft, Ubi.com, and the Ubisoft logo are trademarks of Ubisoft Entertainment in the U.S. and/or other countries. "PlayStation", "PLAYSTATION", "PS" Family logo, and "PSP" are registered trademarks of Sony Computer Entertainment Inc. Memory Stick Duo may be required (sold separately). TM, ®, Game Boy Advance, Nintendo DS, and the Wii logo are trademarks of Nintendo. ® 2006 Nintendo. Microsoft, Windows, Xbox, Xbox 360, and the Xbox logos are trademarks of the Microsoft group of companies.
About Sony Pictures Consumer Products
Sony Pictures Consumer Products (SPCP), a Division of Columbia TriStar Consumer Marketing (CTCM), is based in Los Angeles and handles the merchandising and branding efforts for some of the most recognized properties in film and television.
Columbia TriStar Consumer Marketing is a division of Sony Pictures Entertainment (SPE). SPE is a subsidiary of Sony Corporation of America (SCA), a subsidiary of Tokyo-based Sony Corporation. SPE's global operations encompass motion picture production and distribution; television production and distribution; digital content creation and distribution; worldwide channel investments; home entertainment acquisition and distribution; operation of studio facilities; development of new entertainment products, services and technologies; and distribution of filmed entertainment in 67 countries. Sony Pictures Entertainment can be found on the World Wide Web at http://www.sonypictures.com.
About Ubisoft:
Ubisoft is a leading producer, publisher and distributor of interactive entertainment products worldwide and has grown considerably through a strong and diversified lineup of products and partnerships. Ubisoft has offices in 21 countries and sales in more than 50 countries around the globe. It is committed to delivering high-quality, cutting-edge video game titles to consumers. Ubisoft generated sales of 547 million for the 2005-2006 fiscal year. To learn more, please visit www.ubisoftgroup.com.
About Columbia Pictures:
Columbia Pictures, part of the Columbia TriStar Motion Picture Group, is a Sony Pictures Entertainment company. Sony Pictures Entertainment (SPE) is a subsidiary of Sony Corporation of America (SCA), a subsidiary of Tokyo-based Sony Corporation. SPE's global operations encompass motion picture production and distribution; television production and distribution; digital content creation and distribution; worldwide channel investments; home entertainment acquisition and distribution; operation of studio facilities; development of new entertainment products, services and technologies; and distribution of filmed entertainment in 67 countries. Sony Pictures Entertainment can be found on the World Wide Web at http://www.sonypictures.com.
About Sony Pictures Animation:
Sony Pictures Animation was established in May 2002 to enable Sony Pictures Entertainment to tap into the vast imagination of the creative community, develop characters and stories that are best realized through digital production and bring entertainment for audiences of all ages to the screen. The division's first film, Open Season, was released in September, 2006. Sony Pictures Animation currently is in production on Surf's Up (due in theaters June 8, 2007) and Cloudy With A Chance of Meatballs (spring 2009).