Infogrames Reinvents Atari with Shipment of MX Rider, Splashdown for Playstation 2
Next-gen Motocross, Watercraft racers showcase Atari’s exhilarating, genre-defining attitude.
Infogrames, a global publisher of interactive entertainment software, announced today that its Atari brand is returning anew this holiday. Reaching stores throughout the U.S. and Europe this past week, MXrider for the Sony PlayStation 2 computer entertainment system is the first game to launch under the new Atari banner with its over-the-top motocross racing action. Come the week of November 5, the highly anticipated, ultra-realistic personal watercraft racer, Splashdown will also be sporting the Atari name in retail outlets around the globe.
“The Atari name is synonymous with only the best in video games,” said Bruno Bonnell, Chairman and CEO of Infogrames. “Splashdown and MXrider truly embody the spirit of the reinvented Atari with game play innovation and uniqueness, next-generation quality, and hours of addictive fun that will define genres. Atari is back – and in a big way!”
In a rare move, Infogrames is providing both MXrider and Splashdown with a global launch, releasing the games to an estimated 15,000 retail outlets in the U.S. and 23,800 outlets internationally the week of October 22nd and November 5th, respectively.
“As our inaugural Atari titles, MXrider and Splashdown are going to get a no-holds-barred release,” commented Mr. Bonnell. “We want to insure that gamers around the world will have the chance to experience these exceptional titles and begin to appreciate what the reinvented Atari brand stands for.”
The most complete motocross racing game available and developed by Infogrames’ highly regarded development studio, Paradigm Entertainment, MXrider features authentic motorbike speed and action with over 50 licensed Motocross World Championship riders (FIM: Federation Internationale Motocycliste) in all three motorbike classes (125cc, 250cc and 500 cc).
Each of MXrider’s 29 tracks is a living, breathing environment with waving flags and animated track officials, spectators, cheerleaders and cameramen. Locations include 17 motocross tracks found in 13 countries such as France, Italy and The Netherlands. Officially licensed track designers were employed to create six specially designed Supercross tracks in cities like Tokyo and Los Angeles. In addition, six fantasy arenas were designed exclusively for freestyle sessions allowing players to pull off over 30 insane tricks -- some the pros won’t even try.
MXrider features a soundtrack containing a plethora of emerging alternative bands and a music customization option where players can choose which song they want to hear during each race. For more information about the game visit the official Web site at www.mxrider-game.com.
Splashdown is an advanced personal watercraft racing game developed by Rainbow Studios featuring licensed SEA-DOO watercraft. The title takes full advantage of the groundbreaking power of the PlayStation 2 to render advanced aquatic effects like dynamic wakes, rolling waves and turbulence. Each of these physical attributes affects the way the watercrafts ride and respond to each turn, jump and trick, leading to spectacular bails and wrecks. Advanced, photo-realistic graphical effects, including water transparency, detailed reflections, and spraying water particles complement the cutting-edge physics to bring the aquatic world to life.
Players will select from eight wild riders, each equipped with hilarious dialogue as well as unique attributes and skill levels for speed, acceleration, handling, and stability. Five licensed SEA-DOO watercraft, each tuned with different physics and performance capabilities lend an air of authenticity to the game.
Racers will blaze through 47 exquisitely detailed courses in 18 locations, including the Amazon jungle, Bali, Hawaii, the Nile River, Venice and many others. Course layouts range from narrow, twisting riverbeds to wide-open, wavy oceans. Players will also face off in stadiums equipped with jumps and pools that create supercross-style tracks.
Splashdown includes a unique performance meter feature that when kept full, enhances character skills and increases the speed of players’ SEA-DOO watercrafts. To keep the performance meter at maximum, players must navigate slalom buoys that dot courses. In addition, pulling off sick tricks during a race adds to the performance meter. Splashdown’s hearty tricks system offers more than 30 acrobatic stunts per character, including an exclusive “signature trick,” such as Cyclone, Top Spin, Ferris Wheel and more.
Splashdown boasts a thumping soundtrack featuring both licensed and original music from top artists and the hottest up-and-coming acts. Artists appearing on the soundtrack include Blink 182, Smashmouth, Sum 41, Groovie Ghoulies and many more. For more information about Splashdown visit the official Web site at www.splashdown-game.com.
“The Atari name is synonymous with only the best in video games,” said Bruno Bonnell, Chairman and CEO of Infogrames. “Splashdown and MXrider truly embody the spirit of the reinvented Atari with game play innovation and uniqueness, next-generation quality, and hours of addictive fun that will define genres. Atari is back – and in a big way!”
In a rare move, Infogrames is providing both MXrider and Splashdown with a global launch, releasing the games to an estimated 15,000 retail outlets in the U.S. and 23,800 outlets internationally the week of October 22nd and November 5th, respectively.
“As our inaugural Atari titles, MXrider and Splashdown are going to get a no-holds-barred release,” commented Mr. Bonnell. “We want to insure that gamers around the world will have the chance to experience these exceptional titles and begin to appreciate what the reinvented Atari brand stands for.”
The most complete motocross racing game available and developed by Infogrames’ highly regarded development studio, Paradigm Entertainment, MXrider features authentic motorbike speed and action with over 50 licensed Motocross World Championship riders (FIM: Federation Internationale Motocycliste) in all three motorbike classes (125cc, 250cc and 500 cc).
Each of MXrider’s 29 tracks is a living, breathing environment with waving flags and animated track officials, spectators, cheerleaders and cameramen. Locations include 17 motocross tracks found in 13 countries such as France, Italy and The Netherlands. Officially licensed track designers were employed to create six specially designed Supercross tracks in cities like Tokyo and Los Angeles. In addition, six fantasy arenas were designed exclusively for freestyle sessions allowing players to pull off over 30 insane tricks -- some the pros won’t even try.
MXrider features a soundtrack containing a plethora of emerging alternative bands and a music customization option where players can choose which song they want to hear during each race. For more information about the game visit the official Web site at www.mxrider-game.com.
Splashdown is an advanced personal watercraft racing game developed by Rainbow Studios featuring licensed SEA-DOO watercraft. The title takes full advantage of the groundbreaking power of the PlayStation 2 to render advanced aquatic effects like dynamic wakes, rolling waves and turbulence. Each of these physical attributes affects the way the watercrafts ride and respond to each turn, jump and trick, leading to spectacular bails and wrecks. Advanced, photo-realistic graphical effects, including water transparency, detailed reflections, and spraying water particles complement the cutting-edge physics to bring the aquatic world to life.
Players will select from eight wild riders, each equipped with hilarious dialogue as well as unique attributes and skill levels for speed, acceleration, handling, and stability. Five licensed SEA-DOO watercraft, each tuned with different physics and performance capabilities lend an air of authenticity to the game.
Racers will blaze through 47 exquisitely detailed courses in 18 locations, including the Amazon jungle, Bali, Hawaii, the Nile River, Venice and many others. Course layouts range from narrow, twisting riverbeds to wide-open, wavy oceans. Players will also face off in stadiums equipped with jumps and pools that create supercross-style tracks.
Splashdown includes a unique performance meter feature that when kept full, enhances character skills and increases the speed of players’ SEA-DOO watercrafts. To keep the performance meter at maximum, players must navigate slalom buoys that dot courses. In addition, pulling off sick tricks during a race adds to the performance meter. Splashdown’s hearty tricks system offers more than 30 acrobatic stunts per character, including an exclusive “signature trick,” such as Cyclone, Top Spin, Ferris Wheel and more.
Splashdown boasts a thumping soundtrack featuring both licensed and original music from top artists and the hottest up-and-coming acts. Artists appearing on the soundtrack include Blink 182, Smashmouth, Sum 41, Groovie Ghoulies and many more. For more information about Splashdown visit the official Web site at www.splashdown-game.com.