Gameloft Signs Multi-Picture Licensing Agreement With Sony Pictures Digital To Produce Mobile Games Based On the Films from Sony Pictures Animation
Gameloft to Bring Open Season, the first feature from Sony Pictures Animation To Fans and Gamers of All Ages on Their Cellular Phones
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
APRIL 5, 2006
NEW YORK - Gameloft, a leading developer and publisher of mobile games, announced today an agreement with Sony Pictures Digital to develop, publish and distribute mobile games based on OPEN SEASON the first CG animated feature from Sony Pictures Animation.
In Columbia Pictures' new action-adventure comedy OPEN SEASON, the first feature-length animated film from Sony Pictures Animation, Boog (Martin Lawrence), a grizzly bear with no survival skills, has his perfect world in the tranquil town of Timberline turned upside-down when he meets Elliot (Ashton Kutcher), a scrawny, fast-talking wild mule deer. OPEN SEASON is scheduled for theatrical release on September 29, 2006. In addition, Gameloft will produce mobile games for Sony Pictures Animation's second feature, "Surf's Up," scheduled for release in summer 2007 (details to be announced at a later date).
"Animation has always been a creative medium in entertainment and we are thrilled to bring the imaginative world of CG animation from the movie screen to the mobile phones of fans around the world," said Michel Guillemot, CEO, Gameloft.
"Sony Pictures Digital is dedicated to taking great theatrical entertainment and characters and extending them into the digital marketplace," said Ira Rubenstein, Senior Vice President, Sony Pictures Digital. "For OPEN SEASON, Gameloft, a company that has a solid background in creating mobile adaptations based on blockbuster films, is the perfect partner to bring Boog and Elliot's story to life for mobile gamers."
About Gameloft
Gameloft is a leading international publisher and developer of video games for mobile phones. Established in 1999, it has emerged as one of the top innovators in its field. The company creates games for mobile handsets equipped with Java, Brew or Symbian technology. The total number of games-enabled handsets is anticipated to exceed two billion units in 2008.
Partnership agreements with leading licensors and sports personalities such as Ubisoft Entertainment, Universal Pictures, Viacom, Warner Bros., FifPro, Lamborghini, Vans, Derek Jeter, Vijay Singh and Geoff Rowley allow Gameloft to form strong relationships with international brands. In addition to the partnerships, Gameloft owns and operates titles such as Block Breaker Deluxe, Asphalt: Urban GT and New York Nights.
Through agreements with major telephone wireless carriers, handset manufacturers, specialized distributors and its online shop, Gameloft has a distribution network in over 65 countries.
Gameloft has worldwide offices in New York, San Francisco, Montreal, Buenos Aires, Paris, London, Duesseldorf, Milan, Barcelona, New Delhi, Seoul, Beijing, Hong Kong and Tokyo. Gameloft is listed on Euronext Paris (ISIN: FR0000079600, Bloomberg: GFT FP, Reuters: GLFT.PA)
For more information visit www.gameloft.com.
About OPEN SEASON:
OPEN SEASON is based on the humor of cartoonist Steve Moore (In The Bleachers), who also serves as Executive Producer with John Carls. The film is being directed by Roger Allers (director of The Lion King) and Jill Culton (credits include Monsters, Inc., and Toy Story 2). The co-director is Anthony Stacchi (credits include Curious George and Antz). The producer is Michelle Murdocca (credits include Stuart Little and Stuart Little 2). OPEN SEASON is scheduled for theatrical release on September 29, 2006.
About Sony Pictures Digital:
Sony Pictures Digital, an operating unit of Sony Pictures Entertainment, consists of Sony Pictures Animation, Sony Pictures Imageworks, Sony Online Entertainment, and SonyPictures.com. The division produces stories, characters, images and experiences conceived, created, rendered and delivered digitally. With imagination and technological innovation, Sony Pictures Digital continues to create and expand the entertainment landscape.
MEDIA CONTACTS:
Sanette Chao
Gameloft
212-994-2495
sanette.chao@gameloft.com
Alex Brewer
Bender/Helper Impact
(212) 689-6360 ext. 1226
Alex_Brewer@bhimpact.com