UBISOFT'S BEOWULF™ VIDEO GAME TO FEATURE ORIGINAL SOUNDTRACK COMPOSED BY SASCHA DIKICIYAN AND CRIS VELASCO
Acclaimed Composers Provide Epic Orchestral Score for Game Based on
SAN FRANCISCO - November 8, 2007 - Today, Ubisoft, one of the world's largest video game publishers, announced that top video game composers Sascha Dikiciyan and Cris Velasco have created an original orchestral music score for Beowulf, the new action combat video game based on Paramount Pictures' and Shangri-La Entertainment's upcoming feature film Beowulf. The Beowulf video game is scheduled for worldwide release in conjunction with the movie's opening in November 2007.
Created by the industry's most in-demand composer team in Dikiciyan and Velasco, the Beowulf video game score is an epic musical journey featuring anthemic choral/orchestral compositions and bombastic action cues driven by heavy brass and thunderous percussion. The grand orchestral score was recorded with many of San Francisco's best symphony musicians at the world famous Skywalker Sound studios.
"The biggest challenge we had for Beowulf's soundtrack was that the music not only had to support and enhance the game's actions, but it also had to follow the evolution of Beowulf universe; starting as a very heavy middle age Barbarian music and ending as a modern and powerful Hollywood score," stated Manu Bachet, Music Supervisor at Ubisoft. "Within a very aggressive schedule, Cris Velasco and Sascha Dikiciyan managed to compose the most refined barbarian soundtrack ever heard on this side of the Danes kingdom."
"Working with Ubisoft on Beowulf reminds me of why I love being a game composer; it was an amazing experience from start to finish," said Cris Velasco. "We began by meeting with all the creative teams from around the world to review the incredible visuals and game play that we would use as inspiration for the music. The score was recorded using top players and singers from the San Francisco area, and over the course of two days we had a great time both working in the studio and hanging out at the Skywalker Ranch."
The Beowulf video game takes players deep into Academy Award®-winning director Robert Zemeckis' vision of the classic saga, Beowulf. Gamers live the life of Beowulf, the legendary Norse warrior with the strength of 30 men who is torn between the nobility and brutality within him. Arrogant, self-serving, and lustful for gold and glory, Beowulf will journey to Denmark to destroy a bloodthirsty beast wreaking havoc on a frigid land. But evil persists, and Beowulf succumbs to its lure of even greater fame, quietly maneuvering to claim the Danish throne. As King, Beowulf must face the consequences of ambition, even as war descends on the realm. As Beowulf, players lead their men, called Thanes, into battle, slay the Titans of a dying age, and crush the enemies that threaten to annihilate both their kingdom and people. Only then, when Beowulf looks Destiny in the eye, will he know what kind of hero he has truly become.
For more information on the Beowulf video game, please visit http://www.beowulfgame.com
For more information on the movie, visit the official site at http://www.beowulfmovie.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 680 million Euros for the 2006-07 fiscal year. To learn more, please visit www.ubisoftgroup.com.
About Paramount Pictures
Paramount Pictures Corporation (PPC), a unit of Viacom (NYSE: VIA, VIA.B), is a global entertainment company that produces and distributes filmed entertainment through the Paramount Motion Picture Group which includes Paramount Pictures, Paramount Vantage, Paramount Classics, MTV Films and Nick Movies. PPC operations also include Paramount Pictures International, Paramount Home Entertainment, Paramount Digital Entertainment, Paramount Studios and Worldwide Television Distribution.
COPYRIGHT ® 2007 Shangri-La Entertainment LLC and PARAMOUNT PICTURES. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.
Beowulf Paramount Pictures. ® 2007 Paramount Pictures and Shangri-La Entertainment, LLC. All Rights Reserved. Game Software ® 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. Microsoft, Windows, Xbox, Xbox 360, and the Xbox logos are trademarks of the Microsoft group of companies. "PlayStation", "PLAYSTATION", "PS" Family logo and "PSP" are registered trademarks of Sony Computer Entertainment Inc.
Beowulf Paramount Pictures. ® 2007 Paramount Pictures and Shangri-La Entertainment, LLC. All Rights Reserved. Game Software ® 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. Microsoft, Windows, Xbox, Xbox 360, and the Xbox logos are trademarks of the Microsoft group of companies. "PlayStation", "PLAYSTATION", and "PS" Family logo and "PSP" are registered trademarks of Sony Computer Entertainment Inc.