SANTA CLARA/GRAND TERRACE, Calif., (July 23, 2009) – Leading video game publisher and developer NAMCO BANDAI Games America Inc. and premier mixed-martial arts apparel, gear and lifestyle brand, TapouT, today announced a multi-year partnership to merge popular TapouT fashions with the iconic fighting experience of TEKKEN 6, the latest installment of the top-selling fighting video game franchise. The agreement brings two of the most-recognized fighting lifestyle brands together to provide fans with an all encompassing entertainment experience.
As part of the agreement, TapouT will design five unique co-branded t-shirts which will appear in addition to the myriad of in-game customization options for characters in TEKKEN 6. In addition to tricking out their TEKKEN 6 fighters, fans will be able to sport their own TEKKEN 6 TapouT gear, as co-branded t-shirts will also become available for fans to purchase and wear. Available in five designs for men and women, the TEKKEN 6 TapouT branded t-shirts will be released in September through TapouT’s network of specialty retailers and on their website www.tapout.com.
“TEKKEN 6 and TapouT fans share a deep-rooted passion for the mixed-martial-arts lifestyle,” said Makoto Iwai, executive vice president and chief operating officer at NAMCO BANDAI Games America Inc. “This partnership will bring TapouT’s signature style into the world of Tekken, giving new experiences to video game enthusiasts and MMA fans alike.”
“TapouT is excited to partner with NAMCO BANDAI Games America to continue to bring the mixed-martial arts movement into the mainstream with one of the most successful video game franchises of all time,” said Dan “Punkass” Caldwell, TapouT Co-Founder and CEO.
“As we look to enhance our brand visibility in new and innovative ways, the idea to fuse TapouT and TEKKEN 6 was the perfect approach to introduce new apparel to our core fan base,” added Marc Kreiner, TapouT President.
This agreement marks NAMCO BANDAI’s first co-branding initiative with a major apparel brand for in-game and offline items. TEKKEN 6 will be released this fall for the Xbox 360® video game and entertainment system from Microsoft, the PLAYSTATION®3 computer entertainment system, and the PSP® (PlayStation®Portable) system.
A must-have for Tekken aficionados, TEKKEN 6 sees the return of many familiar faces as well as new characters to create the largest line-up the series has ever seen. With a growing roster of fighters, robust character customization features, online gameplay and a new action-packed Scenario Campaign mode, TEKKEN 6 will be the best “King of Iron Fist Tournament” yet.
For more information on TEKKEN 6, please visit: www.tekken.com or www.namcobandaigames.com.
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