LOS ANGELES — (July 15, 2008) — Disney Interactive Studios announced today its lineup of upcoming video games that will be on display at the E3 Media & Business Summit 2008, July 15-17. The lineup includes titles across the major console and handheld platforms that appeal to every member of the family, whether they are putting on the ultimate rock performance or pulling off death-defying aerial tricks while soaring over huge peaks on a four-wheel vehicle. The complete lineup of video games can be viewed during the show in Meeting Room # 309. The E3 Media & Business Summit is an invitation-only industry event.
“The notion that video games only appeal to a small subset of consumers is long gone, and the demand for titles that reach every member of the family is rapidly increasing,“ said Graham Hopper, executive vice president and general manager, Disney Interactive Studios. “Whether leveraging popular Disney franchises such as High School Musical and Disney Fairies, or through innovative new properties such as Ultimate Band and Pure, Disney Interactive Studios is the leader in delivering broad appeal entertainment.”
Disney Interactive Studios’ legacy of developing high quality video games stems from a long-standing commitment to grow its self-publishing business. During its 2007 calendar year, Disney Interactive Studios was the No.10 publisher across all platforms.
With a significant commitment to product development, the company is continuing its strategy to dedicate nearly 70 percent of its investment to develop titles that support major existing Disney franchises and properties. This approach has proven to be extremely successful in recent years, most notably for titles within the High School Musical franchise. During the 2007 holiday season, the company shipped more than 3.8 million copies of the widely popular High School Musical video games worldwide, achieving Top 20 positions on each published platform for the month of December 2007, according to NPD data. This holiday season, Disney Interactive Studios will deliver videogames that continue to support the High School Musical brand, as well as the new Disney Fairies and Disney Sing It franchises and Bolt, a game inspired by the upcoming animated feature film.
Disney Interactive Studios’ also continues to develop original video games that leverage the talent and expertise of its internal studios. This holiday season alone, Disney Interactive Studios will release three original titles for tweens and families across multiple genres and platforms. Fall Line Studio, the company’s Nintendo Platform-dedicated entity, is developing Ultimate Band, a music performance game for Wii™ home video game console and Nintendo DS™. The studio also created the innovative DGamer online community that launched earlier this year on Nintendo DS. Black Rock Studio, formerly Climax Racing, is working on the much anticipated action sports off-road game, Pure for the Xbox 360® video game and entertainment system from Microsoft, PLAYSTATION®3 computer entertainment system, and Windows-based PC. Finally, Disney Interactive Studios will release the next installment in the popular anime-inspired Spectrobes franchise, Spectrobes: Beyond The Portals for Nintendo DS.
Below is a list of titles present at the E3 Media & Business Summit 2008:
· Pure is an action sports off-road game on four wheel vehicles featuring vertigo-inducing, massive aerial jumps and unforgettable airborne tricks in diverse locations throughout the world. Players will go head-to-head and attempt incredible death-defying tricks throughout varying terrain. Developed by Black Rock Studio, Disney’s award-winning studio in Brighton, England, the game features multiplayer competition for up to 16 players and includes the ability to create and customize vehicles with 65,000 different combinations.
Platforms: Xbox 360, PLAYSTATION®3 system and Windows-based PC
Release Date: September 2008
- Ultimate Band is a new interactive music video game for Wii and Nintendo DS that encourages everyone to get off the couch and perform as a rock star to their favorite songs. Ultimate Band for the Wii is completely peripheral-free, utilizing only the Wii Remote™ and Nunchuk™ to play lead guitar, bass guitar, drums or act as the band’s front man. On the Nintendo DS, players will only need their stylus to jam and create custom tracks. Ultimate Band’s set list features current and classic rock tracks such as “Whip It,” “My Generation,” “Fell In Love With A Girl” and “Steady As She Goes.”
Platforms: Wii and Nintendo DS
Release Date: Holiday 2008
- Bolt is an action game starring Bolt, a dog with super powers, and his owner and human
companion, Penny. Inspired by the upcoming animated film of the same name from Walt Disney Pictures, Bolt centers on Bolt’s role in an action TV show in which the two characters engage in adventures throughout the world. The game expands beyond the film’s plot to reveal new characters, environments, and stories.
Platforms: Xbox 360, Wii, PLAYSTATION®3 system, PlayStation®2 computer entertainment system, Nintendo DS and Windows-basedPC
Release Date: November 2008
- Club Penguin: Elite Penguin Force for the Nintendo DS introduces kids to all new adventures in the Club Penguin world, giving players a chance to complete secret agent missions, solve mysteries and connect with friends in new ways via DGamer, Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection and ad hoc play. The game allows players to take on the role of a covert agent in the top secret Elite Penguin Force. Players embark on missions utilizing familiar and all-new gadgets, accessories, vehicles and locations to investigate mysterious events in the Club Penguin world. Players will be able to wirelessly connect with the virtual Club Penguin world using the Nintendo DS to unlock special features and upload coins to their online penguin account.
Platform: Nintendo DS
Release Date: Holiday 2008
- Disney Fairies: Tinker Bell for Nintendo DS allows players to explore the magical world of Pixie Hollow. Playing as Tinker Bell herself, kids will play mini-games and participate in time-based activities. They will also learn the importance of creativity and teamwork as they go on quests, create fashion trends, and interact with all of the other Fairies in the world, including Silvermist, Iridessa and Fawn.
Platform: Nintendo DS
Release Date: Fall 2008
- Disney Sing It is the new karaoke video game that allows fans to perform more than 35 songs from Camp Rock, High School Musical, Hannah Montana, Miley Cyrus, Aly & AJ, Jesse McCartney and more. The game features single and multiplayer modes, and lets players practice tricky elements of singing in various vocal exercises. Players can personalize their game experience by unlocking and downloading digital skins. New song packs and bonus content can be downloaded via Xbox LIVE® online entertainment network and Playstation® Network.
Platforms: Xbox 360, PS3, Wii, PlayStation 2 system, Windows-based PC
Release Date: Holiday 2008
- High School Musical 3: Senior Year DANCE! features new music from the upcoming theatrical release of “High School Musical 3: Senior Year,” along with all the familiar songs, locations and characters from the previous “High School Musical” movies. Players move to the rhythm of the songs using the controllers unique to each video game console, such as Wii Remote and Nunchuk for Wii. Fans can play as Troy, Gabriella, Sharpay, Ryan, Chad, Taylor, or as their own customized Wildcat. Bundled versions with “High School Musical” branded dance mats will also be available for Xbox 360 and PlayStation 2 system for players who want the complete dance party experience.
Platforms: Xbox 360, Wii, PlayStation 2 system, Windows-based PC
Release Date: Fall 2008
- High School Musical 3: Senior Year features music, locations and characters from the upcoming theatrical release of “High School Musical 3: Senior Year.” Using an all-new rhythm-based game mechanic, players can play to the rhythm of new songs from the movie. Players can also take “High School Musical” themed quizzes to find out which Wildcat they are most similar to and capture photos of the characters to create memorable layouts for their East High yearbook.
Platforms: Nintendo DS
Release Date: Fall 2008
- Spectrobes: Beyond The Portals is the sequel to the best-selling Nintendo DS game, Spectrobes. In the sci-fi action/role playing game, players take on the role of planetary patrol officers Rallen and Jeena to investigate fossilized creatures that they must excavate, awaken, train and use in battle against enemies. Spectrobes: Beyond The Portals also includes new features such as a full three-dimensional perspective, multiplayer through the Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection, a map to assist with exploration, new excavation and battle features, new Code Input Cards, new creatures and more.
Platforms: Nintendo DS
Release Date: October 2008
For more information on Disney Interactive Studios, please visit www.disneyinteractivestudios.com.
