Wideload's "Hail To The Chimp" Uses Hands, Paws, Flippers And Hooves To Embrace Democracy

The Debate is on as 10 Quirky Candidates Take Center Stage in the Animal Kingdom's Presidential Race

News by GamesIndustry International Contributor

Published on Nov. 12, 2007

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Cockpit, Austin, TX - November 9, 2007 - Today Gamecock announced the entire roster of candidates in Wideload Games upcoming politically charged party title "Hail to the Chimp." The "Hail to the Chimp" ballot now boasts ten candidates, each with their own personality, platforms and style. Just like any political race, mud is being slung, names are being named and the candidates are clawing up the ladder to reach that golden seat.

"Hail to the Chimp" is a fast-paced party game that delivers exciting gameplay, lush interactive environments, and a comic look at politics. It is a bare-knuckled fight to win the crown of President of the animals.

"The story of 'Hail to the Chimp' is delivered through a metaphor of the election process," said Wideload founder Alex Seropian. "The ten candidates in the game have their own back stories, and there are rivalries between the candidates and opportunities to team up and make alliances."

Seropian continued, "It's all there -- the flawed electoral system, the political back-stabbing, the self-possessed newscasters and pundits, fundraising with the fat cats and even the inane political ads. There will also be lots of subtle, and not so subtle, political humor."

"Hail to the Chimp" features a wide variety of arenas as well as myriad goal oriented match types. The title is scheduled for release in Spring 2008 for the Xbox 360® video game and entertainment system from Microsoft and for the PlayStation®3 Computer Entertainment System.

Below is a brief introduction to the candidates and what their goals are in this political campaign.

Name: Ptolemy

Species: Hippo

Hails from: Egypt

Bio: Ptolemy lives in a world where the 1970's never stopped. With a unique style and charisma by the truckload, this happenin' Hippo wants to return Hippos (more directly, himself) to the top of the Animal Kingdom.

Name: Santo

Species: Armadillo

Hails from: New Mexico, US

Bio: Born in the deserts of New Mexico, Santo was a painter before he joined the campaign. He thinks politicians and artists have a lot in common - prima donnas and shysters, the lot of them - and he's here to keep it real.

Name: Crackers

Species: Monkey

Hails from: Congo

Bio: Crackers was the right-hand monkey to the King Lion before he was ousted from the throne. Rumor has it that Crackers' whole campaign is a ruse designed to restore his old boss to the throne, ensuring a cushy lifestyle for his favorite monkey.

Name: Toshiro

Species: Octopus

Hails from: Japan

Bio: A samurai octopus, Toshiro's logic is simple - most of the world is water and therefore ocean-based animals are the dominant life form. A highly trained warrior and scholar, Toshiro's campaign is as elegant as it is ruthless.

Name: Bean

Species: Sloth

Hails from: Seattle, WA (by way of Bogota, Columbia)

Bio: Bean is your atypical sloth -- super caffeinated, uber-motivated and ready to work the kingdom into shape. A coffee addict, she once lived in Bogota but found herself on a coffee shipment to Seattle where she is now an aerobics instructor.

Name: Moxie

Species: Musk Ox

Hails from: Liverpool, England

Bio: Moxie is a self-educated Musk Ox who is sick of the patriarchal nature of politics. Why can't there be a Queendom? Her personal charisma, self-motivation and erudition make her a formidable candidate.

Name: Hedwig

Species: Polar Bear

Hails from: Uppsala, Sweden

Bio: A singing superstar in the disco world, Hedwig is used to the public eye. She's convinced that the animal kingdom would best be served by someone with a celebrity's understanding of looking good, manipulating the press, and product endorsement.

Name: Murgatroyd

Species: Jellyfish

Hails from: Unknown

Bio: Not much is known about Murgatroyd as her garbled pronouncements are completely indecipherable. This is a solid campaign strategy, as many animals assume her views are similar to their own. Mysterious, perplexing and lovable, Murgatroyd could be the underdog of this race.

Name: Daisy

Species: Platypus

Hails from: Sydney, Australia

Bio: An incredibly popular children's TV show host, Daisy is the most adorable platypus ever born. With her cute looks and a tomboyish personality, she is loved by young animals of every species the world over. Capturing the presidency is the only way she can possibly get any bigger.

Name: Floyd

Species: Walrus

Hails from: Manhattan

Bio: Floyd moved to NY to become a dock foreman. But after a blow to the head, he began having some funny ideas about the world. He now sees himself as a guru and soothsayer meant to lead the animal kingdom. After all, he's got a direct line to the cosmic plane.

The debate rages on at www.chimplove.com.

About Wideload Games

Wideload is a producer and developer of original interactive entertainment that focuses on the creation of original intellectual property with an innovative new approach to making video games. Wideload utilizes a global outsourcing model to augment each project with independent contractors. Using this model, Wideload released its premiere title, Stubbs the Zombie to critical acclaim in October 2005. Stubbs has been recognized as one of the most original, innovative, and funny games to come out in years.

About Gamecock Media Group

Based in Austin, Texas, Gamecock Media Group offers a welcome solution to the bloated and originality-starved video game industry. A well-funded, independent, artist-driven company, Gamecock favors the most innovative and original video game developers in the industry. Publishing games for all platforms, Gamecock offers its developers a high degree of participation, freedom and financial incentives, allowing them to perform and create to their utmost ability. For more, please visit www.gamecockmedia.com.

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Contact:

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Rob Fleischer

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