If you click on a link and make a purchase we may receive a small commission. Read our editorial policy.

LET YOUR DRAWINGS DO THE TALKING WITH EA'S PICTIONARY FOR MOBILE PHONES

First ever mobile version of popular board game now available across Europe

GENEVA, Switzerland - 15 January 2007 - Electronic Arts Inc (NASDAQ: ERTS), the world's leading interactive entertainment software company, today announced the release of the first ever mobile phone version of Pictionary® - one of the world's most popular board games in which players need to guess words by looking at or sketching clues in a race against the clock. Customised for the mobile platform by EA Mobile, Pictionary provides a range of innovative features that will immerse gamers and their friends into a world of creative challenges no matter where they are. Pictionary can be downloaded to compatible handsets via all major mobile operators across most of Europe now.

The variety of game modes within Pictionary offer fun to all gamers whether played on their own or with friends. EA has truly brought Pictionary into the 21st century with the introduction of a number of innovative elements that help create a unique multiplayer experience while remaining faithful to the core features and attraction of the original board game.

"Pictionary is a great example of EA Mobile's aim to broaden the mobile gaming experience. In addition to offering a fantastic single player mode, our innovations within the Pictionary game modes deliver a truly immersive and fun multi player experience for up to six players." said Javier Ferreira, VP European Publishing, EA Mobile.

The "Solo" mode in Pictionary is played against the phone where the player has to guess the CPU sketches drawn. The faster the player guesses correctly, the more points he or she will attain for each round. A drawing is guessed by typing the answer into the guessing box. With only 5 lives per game, speed is of the essence to become score board leader. Similarly, the "Battle mode" lets players challenge friends in quick fire rounds on a single handset. The person who presses the "guess" button the fastest is the one that could be the victor. The true spirit of Pictionary is captured in the "Party Mode" where up to six players can creatively challenge each other through the innovative 'pass and play' feature. The phone decides who will draw and who will be the guesser; once a drawing is complete the mobile is passed on to the assigned guesser who must figure out what the picture is in the fastest time possible as the phone redraws it.

Pictures are drawn by controlling the selected tool (pencil or paint bucket) over the on-screen drawing canvas using the phone's joystick or keypad. Players have a host of useful drawing tools at their disposal and can change paint brush sizes and types or choose from a wide range of colours. Any player concerned about their artistic skills can take advantage of the in game tutorial to practice before taking on the challenge. Once mastered, gamers can utilise the innovative 'Free Draw Mode' to create their own masterpiece at their leisure. The drawing practise will pay off as these drawings can be set as the personal wallpaper or even be shared with friends via Bluetooth® or MMS*.

To learn more on this and about Pictionary please go to www.EApictionary.com.

-Ends-

Feature varies depending on the mobile handset.

About Electronic Arts

Electronic Arts Inc. (EA), headquartered in Redwood City, California, is the world's leading interactive entertainment software company. Founded in 1982, the company develops, publishes, and distributes interactive software worldwide for videogame systems, personal computers, cellular handsets and the Internet. Electronic Arts markets its products under four brand names: EA SPORTSTM, EATM, EA SPORTS BIGTM and POGOTM. In fiscal 2006, EA posted revenue of $2.95 billion and had 27 titles that sold more than one million copies. EA's homepage and online game site is www.ea.com. More information about EA's products and full text of press releases can be found on the Internet at http://info.ea.com.

Electronic Arts, EA, EA SPORTS, EA SPORTS BIG, and POGO are trademarks or registered trademarks of Electronic Arts Inc. in the U.S. and/or other countries.

About Mattel

Pictionary® is owned by Mattel, Inc., (NYSE: MAT, www.mattel.com), the worldwide leader in the design, manufacture and marketing of toys and family products, including Barbie®®, the most popular fashion doll ever introduced. The Mattel family is comprised of such best-selling brands as Hot wheels®, Matchbox®, American Girl®, Radica® and Tyco® R/C, as well as Fisher-price®® brands ( www.fisher-price®.com), including Little People®, Rescue Heroes®, Power Wheels® and a wide array of entertainment-inspired toy lines. With worldwide headquarters in El Segundo, Calif., Mattel employs more than the 30,000 people in 42 countries and sells products in more than 150 nations throughout the world. Mattel's vision is to be the world's premier toy brands -- today and tomorrow.

Author
GamesIndustry International avatar

GamesIndustry International

Contributor

GamesIndustry International is the world's leading games industry website, incorporating GamesIndustry.biz and IndustryGamers.com.