EA Has announced that the Need For Speed series has sold over 100 Million units. this equates to $2.7 Billion in life to date sales. to celebrate this, EA has released some stats that cover the franchises history from its first game in 1994 to now.
* Launched 15 blockbuster titles across more than 14 platforms
* Released in 22 languages in over 60 countries
* Players have raced over 279 billion miles of roads & race tracks
* Generated over 17 trillion user-generated vehicle customizations
* Featured actors, models & musicians including: Brooke Burke (Wild On), Christina Milian (Ghosts of Girlfriends Past), Emmanuelle Vaugier (Two and a Half Men), Josie Maran (Sports Illustrated swimsuit model and actress), Maggie Q (Mission: Impossible III), Kanye West, Yeah Yeah Yeahs and The Prodigy
* Debuted exclusive remix from Snoop Dogg of The Door’s classic song Riders on the Storm
* Sold more games than all new passenger cars sales in the U.S since 1994**
* If Need for Speed boxes were laid out end-to-end, it would span 173,609 football fields
* 100M units represents nearly every household in the United States and is 3x the population of Canada
Press Release REDWOOD CITY, Calif. --(Business Wire)-- Oct 21, 2009 Electronic Arts Inc. (NASDAQ:ERTS) is proud to announce today that the Need for Speed™ franchise has surpassed 100M units sold life to date.* The newest release, Need for Speed SHIFT, pushes the franchise over the 100M mark, making it the best-selling racing brand in the gaming world. Need for Speed has become a driving force for innovation in the racing genre. Known for delivering unparalleled white-knuckle racing, creative customization and street style, the Need for Speed series has generated over $2.7B in life-to-date sales and has become a powerful pop culture phenomenon.
“Few videogame franchises ever reach the 100M units mark, so this is a huge honor. We have millions of fans to thank for driving us to this milestone,” said Frank Gibeau, president, EA Games Label. “With the launch of Need for Speed SHIFTand the upcoming release of Need for Speed NITRO, we hope to continue to deliver the most entertaining, action-packed racing experiences.” Since the release of Need for Speed in 1994, the franchise has…
Launched 15 blockbuster titles across more than 14 platforms
Released in 22 languages in over 60 countries
Players have raced over 279 billion miles of roads & race tracks
Generated over 17 trillion user-generated vehicle customizations
Featured actors, models & musicians including: Brooke Burke (Wild On), Christina Milian (Ghosts of Girlfriends Past), Emmanuelle Vaugier (Two and a Half Men), Josie Maran (Sports Illustrated swimsuit model and actress), Maggie Q (Mission: Impossible III), Kanye West, Yeah Yeah Yeahs and The Prodigy
Debuted exclusive remix from Snoop Dogg of The Door’s classic song Riders on the Storm
Sold more games than all new passenger cars sales in the U.S since 1994**
If Need for Speed boxes were laid out end-to-end, it would span 173,609 football fields
100M units represents nearly every household in the United States and is 3x the population of Canada
This year, there are three titles being launched under the Need for Speed franchise. Need for Speed SHIFT delivers a true driver’s experience and has been heralded by press worldwide for being the most exciting and polished Need for Speedgame in years. SHIFT is available on the PlayStation®3 computer entertainment system, Xbox 360® video game and entertainment system, PC, and PlayStation®Portable system. Shipping in November, Need for Speed NITRO has been developed specifically for the Wii™ and Nintendo DS to capture the fun and exhilaration of arcade racing at 200 MPH. Need for Speed World Online for the PC is the largest open world game in the history of Need for Speed, with an extensive roster of licensed cars and game modes – all for free online. The game follows the free to play business model which generates revenue through advertising and in-game item sales. World Online will begin the beta process in Taiwan this winter and will open to players around the world in fall 2010.
More information about the Need for Speed franchise can be found at www.needforspeed.com, or follow us on Twitter at NeedforSpeed. Press can download assets at http://info.ea.com.
*According to internal EA data
**93.8 Million according to Bureau of Transportation Statistics
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 SPORTSTM, EATM, EA Mobile TM and POGOTM. In fiscal 2009, EA posted GAAP net revenue of $4.2 billion and had 31 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.
EA, EA SPORTS, EA Mobile, POGO and Need for Speed are trademarks or registered trademarks of Electronic Arts Inc. in the U.S. and/or other countries. The names, designs, and logos of all products are the property of their respective owners and used by permission. Microsoft, Xbox and Xbox 360 are trademarks of the Microsoft group of companies. "PlayStation" and “PSP” are registered trademarks of Sony Computer Entertainment Inc. Wii and Nintendo DS are trademarks of Nintendo. All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners.
THQ*ICE Announce that collectable pre-paid cards will be coming to N.American retailers. the cards should be available now and come in $10 and $25 varieties. players who buy the $25 cards will get an exclusive digital Dragonica Online comic, plus a secret bonus item when the cards are redeemed for ICE Cash. the cards revolve around the elements in the game, and the first available will be the Earth, Water and Fire series. new cards will be introduced every quarter, with special edition cards being released which rewards players with rare in-game items.
Press Release AGOURA HILLS, Calif. --(Business Wire)-- Oct 21, 2009 As part of the official launch of the critically acclaimed, free-to-play MMO Dragonica™ Online (http://dragonica.thqice.com), THQ Inc. (NASDAQ: THQI) and THQ*ICE today announced a new line of collectible prepaid cards available at participating retailers nationwide.
Available starting October 6th, the Dragonica Online prepaid card series will revolve around in-game elements, and will come in values of $10 and $25. The first element series to launch, the Water Series, the Fire Series, and the Earth Series, will each include four different collectible cards, each depicting key characters and scenarios from the game. Fans who purchase a $25 card receive an exclusive digital Dragonica Online comic book based on the element of that particular card plus a secret bonus item when they redeem the cards for ICE Cash. ICE Cash is the in-game, virtual currency that can be used to purchase items that customize a player’s Dragonica Online character and gameplay experience.
The Dragonica Online prepaid card collection will be further expanded and enhanced with the release of a new card series as well as special edition cards approximately every quarter. Special edition cards will reward players with rare in-game armor and items.
“Prepaid cards are a great way to further promote the game with our growing fan base, and an ideal way to capture offline traffic,” said Wim Stocks, Vice President of Sales and Strategic Partnerships. “Our primary audience for Dragonica Onlineis teen boys and girls who generally don’t have credit cards at their immediate disposal, so prepaid cards purchased at retail become the ideal means for them to get involved in the game, providing them access to in-game currency (ICE Cash) and items to expand their enjoyment and customize their experience within the game. Additionally, the serialization of the cards will bring added collectability and fun to the Dragonica Online prepaid cards; fans will want to own the entire set.”
Developed by Barunson Interactive, Dragonica Online is the first MMO to merge fast-paced combat, 3D side-scrolling and a hilarious, yet devastating, skill system. Players can join the quest to vanquish the threat of evil; explore a fantastical world rife with monsters to battle, challenges to overcome and adventures to discover.
Rated ‘E10+’ for Everyone over the age of 10, fans can register to play Dragonica Online at http://dragonica.thqice.com, follow on Twitter at http://twitter.com/dragonicathqice or join on Facebook at http://facebook.com/dragonica.
About THQ*ICE LLC THQ*ICE LLC is an online games operator specializing in casual massively multiplayer online (MMO) games. As a joint venture between THQ Inc. (NASDAQ: THQI) and ICE Entertainment, THQ*ICE combines THQ's product development and retail publishing expertise with ICE's technology and service operations experience. THQ*ICE is dedicated to building an online platform of high quality games and premium content featuring free-to-play, micro transaction models. Dragonica Online and its respective logo are trademarks and/or registered trademarks of THQ*ICE LLC in the U.S.
About THQ THQ Inc. (NASDAQ: THQI) is a leading worldwide developer and publisher of interactive entertainment software. The company develops its products for all popular game systems, personal computers and wireless devices. Headquartered in Los Angeles County, California, THQ sells product through its global network of offices located throughout North America, Europe and Asia Pacific. More information about THQ and its products may be found at www.thq.com. THQ and the THQ logo are trademarks and/or registered trademarks of THQ Inc. All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners.
The statements contained in this press release that are not historical facts may be "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These forward-looking statements are based on current expectations, estimates and projections about the business of THQ Inc. and its subsidiaries (collectively referred to as "THQ"), including, but not limited to, expectations and projections related to the collectible prepaid cards for the Dragonica Online video game, and are based upon management's current beliefs and certain assumptions made by management. Such forward-looking statements are subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements, including, but not limited to, business, competitive, economic, legal, political and technological factors affecting our industry, operations, markets, products or pricing. Readers should carefully review the risk factors and the information that could materially affect THQ's financial results, described in other documents that THQ files from time to time with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including its Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q and Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal period ended March 31, 2009, and particularly the discussion of risk factors set forth therein. Unless otherwise required by law, THQ disclaims any obligation to update its view on any such risks or uncertainties or to revise or publicly release the results of any revision to these forward-looking statements. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date of this press release.
Ubisoft have announced there will be 3 short movies called Assassins Creed Lineage. the short movies will revolve around Ezio's father, Giovanni Auditore da Firenze, and the events before Assassins Creed 2. the first trailer is now Live, and the other two will be released before Assassins Creed 2 is released.
Press Release Paris, France – October 19, 2009 – Ubisoft® today announced the first of the three episodes from the new Assassin’s Creed: Lineage short movies will debut on YouTube. Beginning on October 27, 2009, YouTube will have the first episode of the short movies on its homepage in eight countries throughout the world for a period of 24 hours.
Developed by Ubisoft’s Hybride Technologies, the visual effects studio behind 300 and Sin City, Assassin’s Creed: Lineage combines live action and computer generated imagery (CGI) to explore the events that happen just before the Assassin’s Creed II game starts. The short films revolve around Ezio’s father, Giovanni Auditore da Firenze, and give insight on the game’s back story and universe.
The short films will whet the appetite of game players and fans of this type of cinematography in advance of the in-store release of the video game on November 17, 2009. Assassin’s Creed: Lineage will also introduce some of the characters that players will meet in the game: both foes and friends of the family, like Lorenzo de Medici, the Italian statesman and de facto ruler of the Florentine Republic during the Italian Renaissance period.
“Ubisoft is excited to share a new Assassin’s Creed experience with the public. The Assassin’s Creed Lineage film series is part of Ubisoft’s ongoing efforts to reinforce its intellectual properties by bringing them to multiple entertainment mediums, providing gamers with a more immersive experience when they play as Ezio, the master assassin of Assassin’s Creed II,” stated Yves Guillemot, chief executive officer of Ubisoft.
Konami have released new screenshots and a trailer for their upcoming Rocket Knight game. this is a new game in the series. the trailer and screenshots show the new art style of the game, as well as the 2.5D gameplay (3D backgrounds with 2D gameplay.). much of the trailer and all the screenshots are in game and show action, enemies, and bosses in the game.
EA Has released a new trailer for Need For Speed Shift. this mock documentary, from Eye Witness, focuses on Rio De Janeiro, Brazil, and the street racing there. they also have an interview with one of the drivers and a cop.
Sega has released new screenshots for the Xbox 360 and Playstation 3 versions of Sonic And Sega's All Star Racing. these screenshots show many of the characters and vehicles in the game, including Sonic, Alex, And Dr Egg Man.
