Universal Interactive Teams With Aussie Game Developer To Create A Roaring Dino Success
Announcement posted by Vivendi Universal Interactive Publishing 27 Apr 2002
Melbourne Hosts Preview Of Jurassic Park Game For PlayStation*2 Computer Entertainment System, Xbox(tm) Video Game System From Microsoft and PC
Universal Interactive, Inc., a studio of Vivendi Universal Publishing, has commissioned Australian game developer Blue Tongue Software to create interactive entertainment under the blockbuster Jurassic Park license.
Due for release in fourth quarter 2002, the currently untitled Jurassic Park game will be the first game to combine the world-builder and mission-based game categories and deliver them on multiple platforms - PlayStation*2 computer entertainment system, the Xbox* video game system from Microsoft and the PC. The Jurassic Park game will be co-published by Konami Corporation in Japan.
At a special preview of the game in Melbourne today, launched by Victoria's Minister for Information and Communication Technology, Marsha Thomson, audiences were treated to the action-packed gameplay and premium animation of the forthcoming title.
"Universal Interactive is extremely pleased with the way Blue Tongue's next-generation AI and animation engine is bringing realistic dinosaur behaviour to life," said Jim Wilson, president of Universal Interactive. "The company's instantaneous terrain-mapping technology will make it possible for Jurassic Park fans to do what they have always dreamed of-build their very own dinosaur theme park."
The collaborative project demonstrates Universal Interactive's commitment to adding value to world-renowned entertainment properties by growing them in the interactive gaming arena. Blue Tongue Software has significantly grown its local studio as a result of this relationship.
"The international recognition for our technical expertise and design capabilities by Universal Interactive has been a huge boost to our team and our business," said Andrew Heath, co-founder of Blue Tongue Software. "We expect to create an additional 25 jobs in the industry over the next 18 months as a result of our success."
Other local companies have benefited from the relationship between Universal Interactive and Blue Tongue Software. The game's music has been composed by Blue Tongue's in-house sound expert and is being recorded by the Melbourne Symphony. Local 3D graphics and animation house Act III developed the game's opening cinematic and in-game sequences using dinosaur models developed by Blue Tongue Software.
The innovative new game features lush 3D jungle environments and incredibly detailed dinosaur models to deliver the excitement of the Jurassic Park movies to powerful next-generation platforms. The game allows players to fulfill Dr. John Hammond's dream by designing and managing their very own Jurassic Park. Players can create the most amazing dinosaur theme park the world has ever seen, or battle their way through 12 intense missions ranging from halting a rampaging dino and rescuing stranded park visitors to piloting a chopper.
Both Jurassic Park and The Lost World: Jurassic Park, from Amblin Entertainment and Universal Pictures, are among the highest grossing films of all time. The Jurassic Park franchise has already enjoyed more than $250 million in promotional support and $2.5 billion in worldwide consumer product sales, establishing Jurassic Park as the "premier" and "leading" dinosaur brand the world over.
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About Blue Tongue Software Pty Ltd
Blue Tongue Software is one of Australia's premiere game development studios. It commenced operation in October 1995, after the two founders, Chris Mosely and Andrew Heath, saw the potential to develop their respective areas of interest in computer software development and the Internet. Today the company focuses solely on entertainment software development and employs 33 staff including contractors. In 1998, Blue Tongue was awarded an R&D Start grant by AusIndustry. Blue Tongue's staff has worked collectively on well over 40 major game titles over the past fifteen years. Technical expertise and attention to detail have made Blue Tongue an internationally sought after developer of premium quality game titles, and will continue to ensure the success of the company moving forward.
About KONAMI CORPORATION
KONAMI CORPORATION is a leading developer, publisher and manufacturer of electronic entertainment properties, specializing in the home video game market. KONAMI CORPORATION's action and adventure titles include the popular franchises Metal Gear Solid, Silent Hill and Castlevania, among other top sellers. The latest information about Konami can be found on the Web at
www.konami.com KONAMI CORPORATION is a publicly traded company based in Tokyo, Japan with subsidiary offices, Konami of America, Inc. in the US and Konami of Europe in Frankfurt, Germany.
About Universal Interactive, Inc.
Universal Interactive is a leading global interactive entertainment company focused on the development of world-renowned, studio-based and original franchises across multiple game platforms including handheld, next generation game consoles and the PC. The company's owned and licensed properties include Bruce Lee, Crash Bandicoot, The Incredible Hulk, The Scorpion King, Spyro the Dragon and The Thing. Based in Universal City, Calif., Universal Interactive is a studio of Vivendi Universal Publishing
and part of the company's Vivendi Universal Games division.
About Vivendi Universal Publishing
Vivendi Universal Publishing, the publishing division of the world's second largest communications group (Vivendi Universal), is an international leader in multi-platform publishing and content distribution. As one of the top three players in the global publishing market and the only publisher with an international reach, the Company's key content areas include literature, reference, school, college, kids, games and consumer press. VU Publishing publishes content in four major languages, including English, French,
Spanish and Portuguese, and has strong local publishing brands. Its Games division, Vivendi Universal Games, is a worldwide leader in multi-platform interactive entertainment. A leading publisher of online, PC and console-based interactive content, the Company's portfolio of studios includes Blizzard Entertainment, Sierra Entertainment and Universal Interactive. Through its Partner Publishing Group, Vivendi Universal Games also co-publishes and/or distributes interactive products for a number of strategic partners. VUP's digitisation policy provides its content with a doorway to multi-platform international distribution giving the group a
competitive edge in a changing market.
Xbox is a trademark of Microsoft Corporation in the United States and/or other countries.
Due for release in fourth quarter 2002, the currently untitled Jurassic Park game will be the first game to combine the world-builder and mission-based game categories and deliver them on multiple platforms - PlayStation*2 computer entertainment system, the Xbox* video game system from Microsoft and the PC. The Jurassic Park game will be co-published by Konami Corporation in Japan.
At a special preview of the game in Melbourne today, launched by Victoria's Minister for Information and Communication Technology, Marsha Thomson, audiences were treated to the action-packed gameplay and premium animation of the forthcoming title.
"Universal Interactive is extremely pleased with the way Blue Tongue's next-generation AI and animation engine is bringing realistic dinosaur behaviour to life," said Jim Wilson, president of Universal Interactive. "The company's instantaneous terrain-mapping technology will make it possible for Jurassic Park fans to do what they have always dreamed of-build their very own dinosaur theme park."
The collaborative project demonstrates Universal Interactive's commitment to adding value to world-renowned entertainment properties by growing them in the interactive gaming arena. Blue Tongue Software has significantly grown its local studio as a result of this relationship.
"The international recognition for our technical expertise and design capabilities by Universal Interactive has been a huge boost to our team and our business," said Andrew Heath, co-founder of Blue Tongue Software. "We expect to create an additional 25 jobs in the industry over the next 18 months as a result of our success."
Other local companies have benefited from the relationship between Universal Interactive and Blue Tongue Software. The game's music has been composed by Blue Tongue's in-house sound expert and is being recorded by the Melbourne Symphony. Local 3D graphics and animation house Act III developed the game's opening cinematic and in-game sequences using dinosaur models developed by Blue Tongue Software.
The innovative new game features lush 3D jungle environments and incredibly detailed dinosaur models to deliver the excitement of the Jurassic Park movies to powerful next-generation platforms. The game allows players to fulfill Dr. John Hammond's dream by designing and managing their very own Jurassic Park. Players can create the most amazing dinosaur theme park the world has ever seen, or battle their way through 12 intense missions ranging from halting a rampaging dino and rescuing stranded park visitors to piloting a chopper.
Both Jurassic Park and The Lost World: Jurassic Park, from Amblin Entertainment and Universal Pictures, are among the highest grossing films of all time. The Jurassic Park franchise has already enjoyed more than $250 million in promotional support and $2.5 billion in worldwide consumer product sales, establishing Jurassic Park as the "premier" and "leading" dinosaur brand the world over.
# # #
About Blue Tongue Software Pty Ltd
Blue Tongue Software is one of Australia's premiere game development studios. It commenced operation in October 1995, after the two founders, Chris Mosely and Andrew Heath, saw the potential to develop their respective areas of interest in computer software development and the Internet. Today the company focuses solely on entertainment software development and employs 33 staff including contractors. In 1998, Blue Tongue was awarded an R&D Start grant by AusIndustry. Blue Tongue's staff has worked collectively on well over 40 major game titles over the past fifteen years. Technical expertise and attention to detail have made Blue Tongue an internationally sought after developer of premium quality game titles, and will continue to ensure the success of the company moving forward.
About KONAMI CORPORATION
KONAMI CORPORATION is a leading developer, publisher and manufacturer of electronic entertainment properties, specializing in the home video game market. KONAMI CORPORATION's action and adventure titles include the popular franchises Metal Gear Solid, Silent Hill and Castlevania, among other top sellers. The latest information about Konami can be found on the Web at
www.konami.com KONAMI CORPORATION is a publicly traded company based in Tokyo, Japan with subsidiary offices, Konami of America, Inc. in the US and Konami of Europe in Frankfurt, Germany.
About Universal Interactive, Inc.
Universal Interactive is a leading global interactive entertainment company focused on the development of world-renowned, studio-based and original franchises across multiple game platforms including handheld, next generation game consoles and the PC. The company's owned and licensed properties include Bruce Lee, Crash Bandicoot, The Incredible Hulk, The Scorpion King, Spyro the Dragon and The Thing. Based in Universal City, Calif., Universal Interactive is a studio of Vivendi Universal Publishing
and part of the company's Vivendi Universal Games division.
About Vivendi Universal Publishing
Vivendi Universal Publishing, the publishing division of the world's second largest communications group (Vivendi Universal), is an international leader in multi-platform publishing and content distribution. As one of the top three players in the global publishing market and the only publisher with an international reach, the Company's key content areas include literature, reference, school, college, kids, games and consumer press. VU Publishing publishes content in four major languages, including English, French,
Spanish and Portuguese, and has strong local publishing brands. Its Games division, Vivendi Universal Games, is a worldwide leader in multi-platform interactive entertainment. A leading publisher of online, PC and console-based interactive content, the Company's portfolio of studios includes Blizzard Entertainment, Sierra Entertainment and Universal Interactive. Through its Partner Publishing Group, Vivendi Universal Games also co-publishes and/or distributes interactive products for a number of strategic partners. VUP's digitisation policy provides its content with a doorway to multi-platform international distribution giving the group a
competitive edge in a changing market.
Xbox is a trademark of Microsoft Corporation in the United States and/or other countries.