"Rhythm", Invented by Aspiring Teen Video Game Designer Dan Slutz,
Winner of National Invent-A-Game Challenge, Now Available as a Free,
Online Game by EA
REDWOOD CITY, Calif., Jul 22, 2010 (BUSINESS WIRE) -- Best Buy and Electronic Arts Inc. (NASDAQ:ERTS) in association with By
Kids For Kids (BKFK) announced today that "Rhythm," the new game
invented by Dan Slutz, winner of their 2009 Invent-A-Game Challenge, is
now available free of charge at www.ea.com/rhythm
and will be available the first week of August at www.bestbuy.com/games.
Dan Slutz, 18, of Canton, Ohio won the National Invent-A-Game Challenge,
a competition for America's youth to create their own video games in
June 2009. Slutz won for his music-based platform game where players
battle evil forces utilizing various musical styles as weapons to
advance, conquer and defeat their enemies. As the Grand Prize Winner,
Dan was honored at EA's offices in Los Angeles, and received his Grand
Prize, a $10,000 U.S. savings bond.
In the game, Rhythm is the hero of the story, in trying to recover the
stolen platinum disc from his nemesis Sylence. The loss of the platinum
disc has stolen music and color from the world, and converted its
youthful inhabitants into mindless, colorless drones. Rhythm needs to
explore the world, use a megaphone to convert drones back to music
loving teens, and re-power amps to bring music and color back to the
world. Rhythm can collect new musical genres, which when enabled change
the world and allow him to perform special moves. When Rhythm finally
catches up with Sylence, he needs all of the musical genres to defeat
his arch enemy and recover the platinum disc.
'Rhythm,' created by Dan Slutz, was developed by Say Design, with
support and funding from Electronic Arts Inc. and the Best Buy
Foundation, in cooperation with BKFK.
"It is really exciting to see that my game has actually come to life and
is ready to play," said inventor Dan Slutz. "This is a very important
first step in realizing my dream to become a video game developer."
"Best Buy is thrilled to be able to bring the game 'Rhythm' to life for
our customers," said David Benson, merchant director, gaming for Best
Buy. "Dan's hard work has definitely paid off."
"The game is loads of fun to play," said Kevin Shrapnell, Development
Director of EA, "and it has been a pleasure bringing Dan's vision to
reality."
Norman Goldstein, the founder and CEO of By Kids For Kids, added: "Dan
Slutz is a perfect example of the power of youth to create engaging and
compelling products. We congratulate Dan on the launch of 'Rhythm' and
wish him well in his future career as a video game developer. Also, BKFK
would like to thank EA and Best Buy for all their incredible support of
this competition."
Notes to Editors:
About By Kids For Kids Co.
By Kids for Kids(R) (BKFK(R)) is a platform that empowers youth invention,
innovation and entrepreneurship. BKFK promotes youth social innovation
and partners with leading corporations to inspire product development,
crucial technology skills, invention, and innovation in young people
from 8 to 22. BKFK provides a unique platform for young people to
develop, showcase, and commercialize their products, inventions and
entrepreneurship. BKFK's 'cycle of innovation' develops critical 21st
century skills in our nation's youth. The company provides educational
resources- curriculum and challenges that promote social change, product
development and entrepreneurial endeavors. Learn more: www.bkfk.com
About Best Buy Co., Inc.
With operations in the United States, Canada, Europe, China, Mexico and
Turkey, Best Buy is a multinational retailer of technology and
entertainment products and services with a commitment to growth and
innovation. The Best Buy family of brands and partnerships collectively
generates more than $49 billion in annual revenue and includes brands
such as Best Buy; Best Buy Mobile; Audiovisions; The Carphone Warehouse;
Future Shop; Geek Squad, Jiangsu Five Star; Magnolia Audio Video;
Napster; Pacific Sales; and The Phone House. Approximately 180,000
employees apply their talents to help bring the benefits of these brands
to life for customers through retail locations, multiple
call centers and Web sites, in-home solutions, product delivery
and activities in our communities. Community partnership is central to
the way we do business at Best Buy. In fiscal 2010, we donated a
combined $25.2 million to improve the vitality of the communities where
our employees and customers live and work.
For more information about Best Buy, visit www.bestbuy.com
About Electronic Arts
Electronic Arts Inc. (EA), headquartered in Redwood City, California, is
a leading global interactive entertainment software company. Founded in
1982, the Company develops, publishes, and distributes interactive
software worldwide for video game systems, personal computers, wireless
devices and the Internet. Electronic Arts markets its products under
four brand names: EA SPORTS(TM), EA(TM), EA Mobile(TM) and POGO(TM). In fiscal 2010,
EA posted GAAP net revenue of $3.7 billion and had 27 titles that sold
more than one million units. 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.
EA, EA SPORTS, EA Mobile and POGO are trademarks of Electronic Arts Inc.
SOURCE: Electronic Arts Inc.
By Kids For Kids Co.
John Forrester, 323-702-3684
media@bkfk.com
or
EA
Nyla Comisso, 650-628-7049
ncomisso@ea.com
or
Best Buy
Erin Bix, 612-291-7965
erin.bix@bestbuy.com
Copyright Business Wire 2010