G.I. JOE Set to Invade All Major Video Game Platforms in Summer
2009
REDWOOD CITY, Calif., Feb 11, 2009 (BUSINESS WIRE) -- Electronic Arts Inc. (NASDAQ:ERTS) today announced that development is
underway to bring Hasbro's legendary G.I. JOE(R) brand to all major
console and handheld gaming platforms in summer 2009 to coincide with
the theatrical release of the G.I. JOE: THE RISE OF COBRA
live-action movie from Paramount Pictures and Spyglass Entertainment, in
association with Hasbro, which opens in theaters August 7, 2009. EA will
unveil a "first look" of the G.I. JOE(R) video game at Hasbro's
Showroom at Toy Fair on February 15-17, 2009 in New York City.
"As Hasbro and Paramount Pictures reignite the G.I. JOE(R) property this
year with an all-new toy line and film, EA is excited to play a major
role in bringing this icon of pop culture history to a new generation of
enthusiasts through interactive gaming," said Chip Lange, General
Manager and Vice President of EA Hasbro. "G.I. JOE(R) offers exceptionally
rich storylines and a cast of characters that lends itself incredibly
well to creating an over-the-top action adventure video game that will
thrill gamers as well as G.I. JOE(R) fans."
For fans of all ages, 2009 is gearing up to become another watershed
milestone in the timeless franchise by introducing even more new ways to
engage, immerse and play within the G.I. JOE(R) universe. The G.I. JOE(R)
video game will feature an exclusive storyline that picks up where the
live-action movie leaves off, allowing players to re-create and re-live
the greatest moments from the film, cartoon series and action figure toy
line. The game will feature 12 G.I. JOE(R) characters, each with unique
abilities and weapons. Adding to the adrenaline rush will be an intense
single-screen co-op mode allowing two players to easily unite as a team
in a classic struggle between good and evil as they work together to
defeat the powers of the COBRA organization. The G.I. JOE(R) video
game is under development for Xbox 360(R) videogame and entertainment
system, PLAYSTATION(R)3 computer entertainment system, Wii(TM),
PlayStation(R)2, PSP(R) (PlayStation(R)Portable), Nintendo DS(TM), and mobile
devices.
"G.I. JOE(R) has been an icon of action for 45 years," said Mark Blecher,
General Manager of Digital Gaming and Media at Hasbro. "EA has tapped
the legacy of the G.I. JOE vs. COBRA saga to create an amazing
interactive experience inspired by the movie, comic books, animated
series and iconography that we hope will resonate with millions of fans."
For more than four decades, G.I. JOE(R) has been one of the premiere
brands in the history of boys' toys. Originating the term "action
figure" in 1964, Hasbro's G.I. JOE(R) brand ushered in a new play pattern
that forever changed the scope of the toy industry. The G.I. JOE(R) brand
made another revolutionary introduction in 1984 with the release of the
G.I. JOE vs. COBRA toy line, which introduced a generation of boys to
the heroic G.I. JOE(R) forces, led by Duke, and their epic struggle to
defeat the evil COBRA organization. The G.I. JOE vs. COBRA saga featured
a diverse cast of characters - both good and evil - that became a part
of pop culture through Hasbro's toy line, an animated television series
and best-selling comic book franchise.
For more information about the G.I. JOE(R) video game and to sign
up for updates, visit gijoe.ea.com
About the G.I. JOE: THE RISE OF COBRA Film
Paramount Pictures and Spyglass Entertainment Present, In Association
With Hasbro, A di Bonaventura Pictures Production of A Stephen Sommers
Film: "G.I. Joe: The Rise of Cobra" starring Adewale Akinnuoye-Agbaje,
Christopher Eccleston, Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Byung Hun Lee, Sienna
Miller, Rachel Nichols, Ray Park, Said Taghmaoui, Channing Tatum, Marlon
Wayans and Dennis Quaid. The film is directed by Stephen Sommers. The
story is by Michael B. Gordon and Stuart Beattie & Stephen Sommers. The
screenplay is by Stuart Beattie and David Elliot & Paul Lovett. Based on
Hasbro's G.I. Joe(R) Characters. The film is produced by Lorenzo di
Bonaventura, Brian Goldner and Bob Ducsay. The executive producers are
Stephen Sommers, David Womark, Gary Barber, Roger Birnbaum and Erik
Howsam. The director of photography is Mitchell Amundsen. The production
designer is Edward Verreaux. The film editors are Bob Ducsay and Jim
May. The costume designer is Ellen Mirojnick. The music is by Alan
Silvestri. This film has not yet been rated.
About Electronic Arts
Electronic Arts Inc. (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 video game systems, personal computers, cellular
handsets and the Internet. Electronic Arts markets its products under
four brand names: EA SPORTSTM, EATM, EA SPORTS
FreestyleTM and POGOTM. In fiscal 2008, EA posted
GAAP net revenue of $3.67 billion and had 27 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 Paramount Pictures Corporation
Paramount Pictures Corporation (PPC), a global producer and distributor
of filmed entertainment, is a unit of Viacom (NYSE: VIA, VIA.B), a
leading content company with prominent and respected film, television
and digital entertainment brands. The company's labels include DW
Studios, Paramount Pictures, Paramount Vantage, Paramount Classics, MTV
Films and Nickelodeon Movies. PPC operations also include Paramount
Digital Entertainment, Paramount Famous Productions, Paramount Home
Entertainment, Paramount Pictures International, Paramount Licensing
Inc., Paramount Studio Group, and Worldwide Television Distribution.
About Hasbro
Hasbro (NYSE:HAS) is a worldwide leader in children's and family leisure
time entertainment products and services, including the design,
manufacture and marketing of games and toys ranging from traditional to
high-tech. Both internationally and in the U.S., its PLAYSKOOL, TONKA,
MILTON BRADLEY, PARKER BROTHERS, TIGER, CRANIUM and WIZARDS OF THE COAST
brands and products provide the highest quality and most recognizable
play experiences in the world. (C)2009 Hasbro, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
EA, EA SPORTS, EA SPORTS Freestyle, and Pogo are trademarks or
registered trademarks of Electronic Arts Inc. in the U.S. and/or other
countries. G.I. JOE and all related characters are trademarks of Hasbro
and are used with permission. Nintendo DS and Wii are trademarks of
Nintendo. Microsoft, Xbox and Xbox 360 are trademarks of the Microsoft
group of companies. "PlayStation", "PLAYSTATION" and PSP are registered
trademarks of Sony Computer Entertainment Inc. All other trademarks are
the property of their respective owners.
SOURCE: Electronic Arts Inc.
EA Hasbro
Alexis Mervin, 650-628-7703
amervin@ea.com
or
Foghorn PR (For EA)
Shelly Eckenroth, 717-852-7060
seckenroth@foghornpr.com
or
Hasbro Corporate Communications
Audrey DeSimone, 401-727-5857
adesimone@hasbro.com
Copyright Business Wire 2009