EA MAKING OFFER GAMERS CAN’T REFUSE…THE GODFATHER VIDEO GAME
EA and Viacom Consumer Products Creating Game Based on The Godfather Fiction
Chertsey, UK. - February 2, 2005 - Electronic Arts (NASDAQ:ERTS) and Viacom Consumer Products today announced a videogame based on The GodfatherTM fiction is under development and will put gamers at the center of the action in one of history's most revered masterpieces. The book by Mario Puzo and classic film by Paramount Pictures serve as inspiration for the game as gamers will join the Corleone family and earn respect through loyalty and fear as they rise through the ranks to become Don in a living 1945-1955 New York. The game is scheduled for release in fall 2005 under the EA GAMES brand for the Xbox® videogame system from Microsoft, PlayStation®2 computer entertainment system, Sony PSPTM handheld entertainment system and PC.
Gamers will create their own mob character in the game, putting themselves into the action while reliving classic moments from the fiction and experiencing original missions alongside memorable characters from the film. After a life of small-time jobs and petty thefts the player will be accepted into the Corleone family, America's most famous criminal organization. It will be up to the player to carry out orders, earn respect and make New York City their own.
"We are incredibly excited and honored to have the opportunity to bring the fiction of The Godfather to life in a videogame," said David DeMartini, EA's Executive Producer of the game. "The Godfather movies raised the standard for cinematic achievement with their high level of drama and intense story telling and in fall 2005 gamers will be able to experience that dangerous and living world of The Godfather for themselves."
"We are thrilled to partner with Electronic Arts to bring this exceptional content into the interactive world," said Sandi Isaacs, Vice President of Interactive from Nickelodeon & Viacom Consumer Products. "The Godfather is a crown jewel of Paramount Pictures. We are confident this game will deliver the depth of the experience expected by The Godfather movie fans around the world."
Featuring non-linear action-adventure gameplay, The Godfather will offer gamers countless choices for solving the family's problems with brutal violence, skillful diplomacy, or a cunning mixture of both. From mob hits and bank heists to drive-bys and extortion, step deep inside the world of The Godfather where intimidation and negotiation are your tickets to the top. Players will use their powers of loyalty and fear to earn respect through interactions with characters in the world. Decisions made by the player in the game will have lasting consequences, just as it was in the mob underworld featured in The Godfather fiction.
The Godfather film featured some of Hollywood's finest actors and several are lending their likenesses and contributing to the game's development including James Caan as Sonny Corleone and Robert Duvall as consigliore Tom Hagen. Before his death, Marlon Brando granted his likeness rights to EA and conducted a voiceover session with the developers. His character, Don Vito Corleone, the Godfather, will be featured in the game.
The Godfather is being developed by EA Redwood Shores where such hit franchises as Lord of the Rings, James Bond, and Tiger Woods PGA TOUR games are made. The game has not yet been rated by PEGI.
About Electronic Arts
Electronic Arts, headquartered in Redwood City, California, is the world's leading interactive entertainment software company. Founded in 1982, EA posted revenues of $2.96 billion for fiscal 2004. The company develops, publishes, and distributes interactive software worldwide for video game systems, personal computers and the Internet. In 2003, EA had 27 titles that sold more than one million copies. Electronic Arts markets its products under three brand names: EA SPORTSTM, EA GAMESTM and EA SPORTS BIGTM. EA's homepage and online game site is www.electronicarts.co.uk More information about EA's products and full text of press releases can be found on the Internet at www.electronicarts.co.uk/press
About Nickelodeon & Viacom Consumer Products
Nickelodeon & Viacom Consumer Products is a part of Nickelodeon Enterprises, the ancillary business unit of Nickelodeon Networks. It is responsible for licensing Nickelodeon brands and characters as well as the properties of Paramount Pictures, Comedy Central, Spike TV and MTV International, as well as some non-Viacom properties. Nickelodeon Enterprises is active in all ancillary markets, including merchandise licensing, home video, interactive software, electronic media, online, wireless, book and magazine publishing, music, live tour and stage shows, theme parks and themed hotel venues. Nickelodeon Enterprises manages the largest TV-based licensing business in the world with $4 billion in retail sales. Nickelodeon, Comedy Central, Paramount Pictures and Spike TV are trademarks of Viacom International, Inc.
Electronic Arts, EA, EA SPORTS, EA SPORTS BIG and EA GAMES are trademarks or registered trademarks of Electronic Arts Inc. in the U.S. and/or other countries. The Godfather TM & ® 2005 Paramount Pictures. All Rights Reserved The Lord of the Rings is a trademark of The Saul Zaentz Company d/b/a Tolkien Enterprises under license to New Line Productions, Inc. James Bond is a trademark of Danjaq, LLC. .Tiger Woods and PGA TOUR are trademarks of their respective owners and used with permission. PlayStation is a registered trademark of Sony Computer Entertainment Inc. Xbox is either a registered trademark or trademark of Microsoft Corporation in the U.S. and/or other countries and used under license. All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners.