REDWOOD CITY, Calif., June 17,2004 - Electronic
Arts (NASDAQ: ERTS) announced today that it has signed an
agreement with Oddworld Inhabitants¨ for the worldwide
publishing rights to the next Oddworld game, the latest in
the internationally acclaimed character-based action series.
Slated for release in 2005, the new title will bring a unique
action gaming experience to owners of the PlayStation¨2
computer entertainment system and Xbox¨ video game system
from Microsoft.
"Partnering with EA is a major win
for us. Through EA's first-rate publishing and marketing expertise,
the expanded universe of Oddworld can reach millions of game
fans and extend the reach of this distinctive series,"
said Lorne Lanning, President of Oddworld Inhabitants.
"Over the past 10 years, Oddworld has
consistently elevated the creative bar in each of their titles,
providing a rich and engrossing game experience. Oddworld
Inhabitants represent the type of high quality developer with
which we're seeking to partner moving forward," commented
Greg Richardson, General Manager of EA Partners.
With this next title the Oddworld team has
taken a combination of traditional genres and added their
own unique twists to deliver a refreshingly new interactive
experience. Players step into the role of the Stranger, a
western-style bounty hunter, who chases outlaws throughout
the enthralling new frontier of the Oddworld universe. Set
to award-winning visuals, players will be moved by the complex
and inspiring story as the Stranger comes to grips with his
true nature in the hunt for the ultimate bounty.
Since its debut, the Oddworld series has
become one of the most popular game franchises of all time
with nearly five million units sold worldwide, garnering more
than 100 industry awards and gracing the cover of more than
50 magazines. The three previously released chapters, Oddworld:
Abe's Oddysee, Abe's Exoddus and Munch's Oddysee have been
heralded as revolutionary for their mix of brilliant graphical
artistry, unique personality and compelling gameplay.
ABOUT ELECTRONIC ARTS
Electronic Arts (EA), headquartered in Redwood City, California,
is the world's leading interactive entertainment software
company. Founded in 1982, EA posted revenues of $2.96 billion
for fiscal 2004. The company develops, publishes and distributes
interactive software worldwide for video game systems, personal
computers and the Internet. EA markets its products under
three brand names: EA SPORTSª, EA GAMESª, and EA
SPORTS BIGª. 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 ELECTRONIC ARTS PARTNERS
Electronic Arts Partners (EAP) is EA's publishing studio that
focuses on the development and co-publishing of 3rd party
products from throughout the world. EAP, which posted revenues
of $360M in FY04, would rank among the Top 5 U.S. game companies
based on revenues, if it were an independently operated organization.
Currently, EAP has worldwide development and co-publishing
agreements with Black Hole Games, Castaway Entertainment,
Digital Illusions C.E., Free Radical Designs, Gas Powered
Games, Lionhead Studios and Warner Brothers Interactive. EAP
also has regional partnerships including: Capcom, Koei, NovaLogic,
NAMCO, LucasArts and Square Enix Co. EAP titles are both critically
acclaimed and commercially successful. For Battlefield 1942,
EAP and its co-publishing partner Digital Illusions C.E. won
many prestigious awards including the 2003 Game Developers
Choice Award for Excellence in Game Design and the 2002 Academy
of Interactive Arts and Sciences Game of the Year.
Electronic Arts, EA SPORTS, EA SPORTS BIG, and EA GAMES are
trademarks or registered trademarks of Electronic Arts Inc.
in the United States and/or other countries. PlayStation is
a registered trademark of Sony Computer Entertainment Inc.
Xbox is a registered trademark or trademark of Microsoft Corporation
in the U.S. and/or other countries. All other trademarks are
the property of their respective owners.
ABOUT ODDWORLD INHABITANTS
Formed in 1994 by special effects and computer animation veterans
Sherry McKenna and Lorne Lanning, Oddworld Inhabitants (http://www.oddworld.com/)
is dedicated to creating the next generation of interactive
entertainment. Its unique facility in San Luis Obispo, Calif.,
has attracted top video game and animation talent from all
over the world.
