EA to Release The Godfather Game in Early 2006
Launch in Fourth Fiscal Quarter Ensures Quality
REDWOOD CITY, Calif.-- July 14, 2005 – Electronic Arts (NASDAQ: ERTS) today announced that its highly anticipated title, The Godfather™ The Game, is set for worldwide launch on the PlayStation®2 computer entertainment system, Xbox® video game system from Microsoft and the PC in the company’s fourth fiscal quarter which ends March 31, 2006. A next generation console version will appear later.
Developed by EA and based on the book by Mario Puzo and the classic film by Paramount Pictures through a licensing relationship with Viacom Consumer Products, EA’s The Godfather puts players at the center of one of the world’s most revered stories. Gamers will create their own mob character, relive classic moments from the fiction and experience open-world game play alongside memorable characters from the film.
“The Godfather is one of the most cherished franchises in entertainment,” said Executive Producer David DeMartini. “Releasing the game in early 2006 allows us more time to perfect the open-world experience of being a member of the Corleone family.”
Featuring non-linear action-adventure game play, The Godfather will thrust players into a world dominated by fear and respect. The game will offer players countless choices for solving the family’s problems with violence, skillful diplomacy, or a cunning mixture of both. From mob hits and racket takeovers to drive-bys and extortion – players will step deep inside the world of The Godfather where intimidation and negotiation are tickets to the top. Players will use an innovative control mechanic to earn respect through interactions with characters in the world. Decisions made by the player in the game will have lasting consequences, just as it was in the mob underworld featured in The Godfather fiction.
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About Electronic Arts
Electronic Arts (EA), headquartered in Redwood City, California, is the world's leading interactive entertainment software company. Founded in 1982, the company develops, publishes, and distributes interactive software worldwide for videogame systems, personal computers and the Internet. Electronic Arts markets its products under four brand names: EA SPORTS™, EA™, EA SPORTS BIG™ and POGO™.. In fiscal 2005, EA posted revenues of $3.1 billion and had 31 titles that sold more than one million copies. EA's homepage and online game site is www.ea.com. More information about EA's products and full text of press releases can be found on the Internet at http://info.ea.com.
About Nickelodeon & Viacom Consumer Products
Nickelodeon & Viacom Consumer Products is a part of Nickelodeon Enterprises, the ancillary business unit of Nickelodeon Networks. It is responsible for licensing Nickelodeon brands and characters as well as the properties of Paramount Pictures, Comedy Central, Spike TV and MTV International, as well as some non-Viacom properties. Nickelodeon Enterprises is active in all ancillary markets, including merchandise licensing, home video, interactive software, electronic media, online, wireless, book and magazine publishing, music, live tour and stage shows, theme parks and themed hotel venues. Nickelodeon Enterprises manages the largest TV-based licensing business in the world with $4 billion in retail sales. Nickelodeon, Comedy Central, Paramount Pictures and Spike TV are trademarks of Viacom International, Inc.
Some statements set forth in this release, including the anticipated launch date of The Godfather The Game, contain forward-looking statements that are subject to change. These forward-looking statements are subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause actual events or actual future results to differ materially from the expectations set forth in this release. Some of the factors which could cause actual events to differ materially from expectations include the following: timely development and release of Electronic Arts’ products, including The Godfather; competition in the interactive entertainment industry; consumer spending trends; Electronic Arts’ ability to attract and retain key personnel; developments in the law regarding the Company’s products; and other factors described in Electronic Arts’ annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended March 31, 2005. Electronic Arts disclaims any duty to update these forward-looking statements and does not intend to do so.
Electronic Arts, EA, EA SPORTS, EA SPORTS BIG and POGO are trademarks or registered trademarks of Electronic Arts Inc. in the U.S. and/or other countries. The Godfather ™ & © 2005 Paramount Pictures. All Rights Reserved PlayStation is a registered trademark of Sony Computer Entertainment Inc. Xbox is either a registered trademark or trademark of Microsoft Corporation in the U.S. and/or other countries and used under license. All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners.
Developed by EA and based on the book by Mario Puzo and the classic film by Paramount Pictures through a licensing relationship with Viacom Consumer Products, EA’s The Godfather puts players at the center of one of the world’s most revered stories. Gamers will create their own mob character, relive classic moments from the fiction and experience open-world game play alongside memorable characters from the film.
“The Godfather is one of the most cherished franchises in entertainment,” said Executive Producer David DeMartini. “Releasing the game in early 2006 allows us more time to perfect the open-world experience of being a member of the Corleone family.”
Featuring non-linear action-adventure game play, The Godfather will thrust players into a world dominated by fear and respect. The game will offer players countless choices for solving the family’s problems with violence, skillful diplomacy, or a cunning mixture of both. From mob hits and racket takeovers to drive-bys and extortion – players will step deep inside the world of The Godfather where intimidation and negotiation are tickets to the top. Players will use an innovative control mechanic to earn respect through interactions with characters in the world. Decisions made by the player in the game will have lasting consequences, just as it was in the mob underworld featured in The Godfather fiction.
###
About Electronic Arts
Electronic Arts (EA), headquartered in Redwood City, California, is the world's leading interactive entertainment software company. Founded in 1982, the company develops, publishes, and distributes interactive software worldwide for videogame systems, personal computers and the Internet. Electronic Arts markets its products under four brand names: EA SPORTS™, EA™, EA SPORTS BIG™ and POGO™.. In fiscal 2005, EA posted revenues of $3.1 billion and had 31 titles that sold more than one million copies. EA's homepage and online game site is www.ea.com. More information about EA's products and full text of press releases can be found on the Internet at http://info.ea.com.
About Nickelodeon & Viacom Consumer Products
Nickelodeon & Viacom Consumer Products is a part of Nickelodeon Enterprises, the ancillary business unit of Nickelodeon Networks. It is responsible for licensing Nickelodeon brands and characters as well as the properties of Paramount Pictures, Comedy Central, Spike TV and MTV International, as well as some non-Viacom properties. Nickelodeon Enterprises is active in all ancillary markets, including merchandise licensing, home video, interactive software, electronic media, online, wireless, book and magazine publishing, music, live tour and stage shows, theme parks and themed hotel venues. Nickelodeon Enterprises manages the largest TV-based licensing business in the world with $4 billion in retail sales. Nickelodeon, Comedy Central, Paramount Pictures and Spike TV are trademarks of Viacom International, Inc.
Some statements set forth in this release, including the anticipated launch date of The Godfather The Game, contain forward-looking statements that are subject to change. These forward-looking statements are subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause actual events or actual future results to differ materially from the expectations set forth in this release. Some of the factors which could cause actual events to differ materially from expectations include the following: timely development and release of Electronic Arts’ products, including The Godfather; competition in the interactive entertainment industry; consumer spending trends; Electronic Arts’ ability to attract and retain key personnel; developments in the law regarding the Company’s products; and other factors described in Electronic Arts’ annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended March 31, 2005. Electronic Arts disclaims any duty to update these forward-looking statements and does not intend to do so.
Electronic Arts, EA, EA SPORTS, EA SPORTS BIG and POGO are trademarks or registered trademarks of Electronic Arts Inc. in the U.S. and/or other countries. The Godfather ™ & © 2005 Paramount Pictures. All Rights Reserved PlayStation is a registered trademark of Sony Computer Entertainment Inc. Xbox is either a registered trademark or trademark of Microsoft Corporation in the U.S. and/or other countries and used under license. All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners.