Nintendo DS and Sony PSP Versions Designed to Serve as SCRABBLE
Trainer
REDWOOD CITY, Calif., Mar 19, 2009 (BUSINESS WIRE) -- The EA Play Label of Electronic Arts Inc. (NASDAQ:ERTS) today announced
the release of SCRABBLE for the Nintendo DS(TM) and Sony
PlayStation(R) Portable System (PSP(R)) in the U.S. and Canada. The game is
designed to be the secret training weapon for both accomplished and
novice SCRABBLE players. The handheld versions offer classic and
new ways to play the time-tested crossword game, as well as drills and
exercises to improve strategy and performance.
"We are very excited to bring SCRABBLE to Nintendo DS and PSP for
on-the-go play," said Chip Lange, General Manager of EA's Hasbro
Division. "We've taken one of the most popular games and put it at the
fingertips of millions of fans to play in both traditional and fresh,
innovative ways. The challenging new training modes we've added will
give players the chance to hone their SCRABBLE skills and become
better, more strategic players anywhere, anytime."
SCRABBLE for the Nintendo DS and PSP offers players three modes
of play. Classic mode features traditional SCRABBLE game play
while Speed mode pits players in a head-to-head race against the clock
competing with friends or the device AI. The third mode, called SCRABBLE
SLAM, is based on Hasbro's new card game and challenges players to
discard their virtual SLAM cards by making as many four letter words as
possible within a two-minute time period.
The SCRABBLE handheld versions are loaded with additional
features to heighten the interactive SCRABBLE play experience and
transform the average player into a superior "wordie." SCRABBLE
Trainer allows players to strengthen their vocabulary and playing skills
with six exercises at various difficulty levels designed to help improve
strategy and performance. Word lovers will also appreciate the official SCRABBLE
Players Dictionary and SCRABBLE Word Finder. For the more
competitive player, the Nintendo DS offers Wi-Fi multiplayer capability
for both single and multi-cart play, allowing up to four players to
engage in a linguistic showdown.
"EA has done an outstanding job of extending the 60-year powerhouse SCRABBLE
brand by honoring the heritage of how the game has been played by
millions of fans over many generations while also injecting new,
creative and challenging modes of play," said Mark Blecher, Senior Vice
President and General Manager of Digital Media and Gaming at Hasbro.
"Wherever consumers decide to play on their digital playground, SCRABBLE
will be there to entertain word fans."
In addition to the SCRABBLE Nintendo DS and PSP versions, EA has
previously launched SCRABBLE on a variety of other platforms in
the U.S. and Canada including: Xbox LIVE(R) Arcade (as part of HASBRO
FAMILY GAME NIGHT); Pogo.com(TM),
mobile devices including the iPod(R), iPhone(TM); and Facebook.
PRICING, RATING & AVAILABILITY
SCRABBLE carries a suggested retail price of $29.99 for the
Nintendo DS and PSP and is rated "E" for Everyone. For more information,
go to http://scrabble.ea.com.
For assets visit http://info.ea.com.
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
Freestyle TM 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 HASBRO
Hasbro, Inc. (NYSE:HAS) is a worldwide leader in children's and family
leisure time products and services with a rich portfolio of brands and
entertainment properties that provides some of the highest quality and
most recognizable play and recreational experiences in the world. As a
brand-driven, consumer-focused global company, Hasbro brings to market a
range of toys, games and licensed products, from traditional to
high-tech and digital, under such powerful brand names as TRANSFORMERS,
PLAYSKOOL, TONKA, MILTON BRADLEY, PARKER BROTHERS, TIGER, CRANIUM and
WIZARDS OF THE COAST. Come see how we inspire play through our brands at http://www.hasbro.com.
(C) 2009 Hasbro, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
EA, EA SPORTS, EA SPORTS Freestyle, Pogo and Pogo.com are trademarks or
registered trademarks of Electronic Arts Inc. in the U.S. and/or other
countries. SCRABBLE is a trademark of Hasbro, Inc. in the United States
and Canada and used with permission. Nintendo DS is a trademark of
Nintendo. "PlayStation" and "PSP" are registered trademarks of Sony
Computer Entertainment Inc. iPod and iPhone are registered trademarks of
Apple Inc. Xbox and Xbox LIVE are trademarks of the Microsoft group of
companies. 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
Julie Duffy, 401-727-5931
jduffy@hasbro.com
Copyright Business Wire 2009