Vivendi Universal Games' Wireless Division Extends New Mobile Game Offerings In Europe And Other International Markets
Distributed by Wonderphone, New Mobile Titles To Feature VU Games’
PARIS (July 18, 2005) - Vivendi Universal Games (VU Games) today announced that its newly formed wireless division will launch five new mobile games based on its popular global franchises. The first two games, Sierra Entertainment's SWAT® Force and Larry'sTM Sexy Pinball, will be available to consumers starting in July 2005. The other three titles will also launch in 2005; additional details will be announced at a later date. WonderPhone will distribute all five games in Europe, South and Central America, Africa, New Zealand, Singapore, Kuwait, Bahrain and Fiji. VU Games will also launch the five titles in North America shortly following.
"Our mobile games are easy to learn and a lot of fun for consumers who want portable interactive entertainment," said Cindy Cook, Chief Strategy and Marketing Officer for VU Games. "VU Games' entry into the wireless games market in Europe has been very well received, as evidenced by the sales of Crash Bandicoot which has already sold more than 700,000 units. We are pleased to extend other best-selling franchises to mobile gamers around the world."
Two new mobile titles from Sierra Entertainment will launch this month:
- SWAT® Force is a tactical squad game based on the popular SWAT (Special Weapons and Tactics) franchise, which has sold more than two million units in the PC games market. New to the mobile platform, SWAT Force demands the same degree of tactical finesse as the PC version and features seven authentic crisis situations. Established in the early 1970's in Los Angeles, SWAT is a rapid intervention police force that handles the most delicate crises such as hostage and terrorist situations.
- Larry'sTM Sexy Pinball is a wild pinball game based on the hugely successful Leisure Suit Larry franchise. Larry's Sexy Pinball is the sequel to Leisure Suit LarryTM: Magna Cum Laude distributed by WonderPhone in November 2004. This time around, Larry will attempt to seduce beautiful women on a wild pinball table designed by Larry himself. Authentic pinball action and Larry's unique humor are presented in this classic arcade game. Leisure Suit Larry is one of the well-known characters in the video game industry, whose lovable humor has struck a chord with gamers for more than two decades.
VU Games' current mobile games offerings are live across 70 operators in 40 countries through a current distribution agreement with WonderPhone. These titles include: Crash Nitro Kart, Spyro Ripto Quest, Leisure Suite Larry Magna Cum Laude and Crash Twinsanity.
About Wonderphone
Headquartered in Paris, Wonderphone (www.wonderphone.com) is a leading provider of video and interactive entertainment for mobile phones. The video division of Wonderphone is the leading European provider of video bouquets for mobiles and has secured the exclusive rights for more than one million branded, original and alternative mobile-specific video clips. Wonderphone today runs 25 video channels and provides an end-to-end solution for publishing video for mobile. Wonderphone operates the video portals of several major European operators. The games division of Wonderphone distributes a portfolio of java blockbusters games. WonderPhone has signed an exclusive international master distribution deal with Vivendi Universal Games for mobile gaming. WonderPhone has an extensive distribution network in place with major operators and Internet Download Service Providers including: Vodafone Global (33 countries), Telefonica, SFR, 3, T-Mobile International (5 countries), Orange Group (5 countries), O2, Amena, Optimus, Jamba!, Inpoc/Aspiro and MediaPlazza.
About Vivendi Universal Games
Vivendi Universal Games (www.vugames.com) is a global developer, publisher and distributor of multi-platform interactive entertainment. The company is a leader in the subscription-based massively multi-player online (MMO) games category, holds leading positions in the PC, console and handheld games markets, and is an emerging player in mobile and wireless games. Its development studios and publishing labels include Blizzard Entertainment®, Radical Entertainment, Sierra® Entertainment, Massive EntertainmentTM and Swordfish Studios. VU Games' library of over 700 titles features owned intellectual properties including Warcraft®, StarCraft®, Diablo® and World of WarcraftTM from Blizzard Entertainment; Crash Bandicoot®, Spyro The Dragon®, Empire Earth®, Leisure Suit LarryTM, Ground Control® and Tribes®. VU Games also maintains strategic relationships with industry leading content partners, including Universal Music Group, NBC Universal and Twentieth Century Fox.