Skream/Ignition deal

Former to handle latter's UK distribution.

News by GamesIndustry International Contributor

Published on Sept. 12, 2008

Date: 12th Sept '08

Skream is pleased to announce an agreement to distribute Ignition Entertainment’s upcoming portfolio in the UK.

The agreement extends to the latest releases from SNK PLAYMORE including the highly anticipated Metal Slug 7 for Nintendo DS™, along with other fan favourites Fatal Fury Battle Archives Vol. 1, SNK Arcade Classics Vol. 1, World Heroes Anthology, Samurai Shodown Anthology and the King of Fighters Collection.

Other titles are Vampire Rain: Altered Species (PlayStation®3), and Boing! Docomodake (Nintendo DS™) from AQI. In addition, Ignitions second collaboration with SUCCESS - Tornado (Nintendo DS™) is also covered in this agreement.

Metal Slug 7 – This iconic and well loved explosive shooter, marks its debut on Nintendo DS™ and will have gamers coming back for more. Aside from featuring 7 brand new and fully detailed missions and six playable characters, Metal Slug 7 will also feature a host of new weapons, colossal new bosses, new Slugs to pilot and new gameplay modes for added replay value.

World Heroes Anthology is a classic, coming on PlayStation®2, including World Heroes, World Heroes 2, World Heroes Jet and World Heroes Perfect. A breathtaking and recognisable array of fighters, 56 characters across 4 titles, presents a must have purchase for all fighting fans.

Fatal Fury Battle Archives Vol. 1 (PlayStation®2) - This collection will contain Fatal Fury, Fatal Fury 2, Fatal Fury Special and Fatal Fury 3: Road to the Final Victory. This iconic title presents 2 player Co-op fighting, use of hidden abilities to inflict massive damage, plus an explosive, newly arranged, soundtrack, not forgetting bonus playable character Ryo Sakazaki!!

SNK Arcade Classics Vol. 1 – 16 Classic games for PlayStation®2, PSP® and Wii™ that include Art of Fighting, Metal Slug, King of Monsters, Magician Lord, Sengoku, Top Hunter, Burning Fight and many more. It’s like owning your own retro arcade machine!!

Samurai Shodown Anthology (PlayStation®2, PSP®, Wii™) – a stunning compilation of games from this epic SNK weapon-based fighting series. Six adventures that span the life of the franchise in this remarkable collection containing: Samurai Shodown 1 through 6.

The King of Fighters Collection: The Orochi Saga (PlayStation®2, PSP®, Wii™) including the Orochi Saga trilogy (95-97) as well as KOF '94 and KOF '98: Dream Match Never Ends. A collection not to be missed.

Vampire Rain: Altered Species (PlayStation®3) - Featuring a blood-chilling story driven single player campaign, Vampire Rain: Altered Species presents a robust multiplayer mode in an intense stealth action title. Gamers take the role of John Lloyd, a member of a US special government unit created to defeat the Nightwalkers, and the only human to ever survive a physical encounter with them.

Boing! Docomodake: releasing on Nintendo DS™, this is cute, stylish and endearing platform game where you play as Papa Docomodake guiding him through various obstacles and challenges in order to find his family and get them to the festival on time. Fraught with many dangers Papa Docomodake has a trick or two to help him on his quest. With a tap of the stylus he can release ‘Minis’ that aid him when the going gets a little tough.

Tornado on Nintendo DS™ is a game with a difference. Join forces with Toki and the other members of the Cosmic Cleaners as they set out to restore all of Earth's buildings, vehicles, inhabitants and other obscure objects that have been stolen. Using a combination of stylus and microphone activated controls, players will travel across Planet 69 as they level up and max out their "Tornado Machines" to literally uproot everything in their path in an effort to take back what has been wrongfully stolen.

“We are pleased to have signed this agreement with Skream”, said Phu Tien, International Sales Manager, Ignition Entertainment, “We feel that Skream has the experience to ensure our titles are well represented.”

Skream Ltd restructured their business in early 2008 to move away from open distribution products to concentrate on exclusive distribution agreements.

“Our new structure allows us to give publishers the focus they deserve and we are genuinely delighted to have Ignition Entertainment as our first partner. Ignition have some great titles in their Christmas line up.” Says Matt McGrotty director for Skream Ltd.

Ends

About IGNITION ENTERTAINMENT LIMITED

Ignition Entertainment Limited, a UTV venture, is a software Developer & Publisher of Console and Handheld games.

Incorporated in April 2002, Ignition continues its expansion. At the centre of this is Digi-Guys, Ignitions wholly owned subsidiary and with further development studios in Tokyo and Florida, plans are being drawn for the release of a number of innovative titles across all major Game Platforms during 2008/9 and beyond.

Ignitions European HQ is based in Waltham Abbey (UK) and has other offices in Tokyo, Florida & Los Angeles.

UTV Software Communications Ltd Headquartered in India owns a 70 % stake in Ignition.

You can find more information about IGNITION ENTERTAINMENT LIMITED at http://www.ignitionent.com

About UTV Software Communications Ltd

UTV Software Communications Ltd. is India’s foremost Media & Entertainment Company with leadership position in 4 Verticals that includes Motion Pictures, Broadcasting, TV Content and Interactive (i.e. Animation and Gaming). Listed on the Mumbai Stock Exchange & the Motion Pictures business is listed on the AIM, London Stock Exchange. It has subsidiaries with offices across India, the UK and USA.

Walt Disney Inc. holds a 32.1% stake in UTV

More information on the group is available at: www.utvnet.com

About Skream

Skream Limited was founded in June 2002 by Igor Cipolletta and Mat McGrotty. With their extensive knowledge of the games industry Skream quickly became one of the leading distribution companies in the videogames industry. With aggressive pricing and a rapid delivery policy the company soon had over 350 independent accounts.

In 2007 the company’s customer base extended to games retailers across Europe. Since early 2008 the company strategy has been to focus on exclusive supply arrangements for either the UK or Europe wide, providing suppliers with a unique sales organisation.

Skream Limited is based in Bracknell, United Kingdom. www.skream.com

NINTENDO, Wii AND THE Wii LOGO ARE TRADEMARKS OF NINTENDO.