Activision to Open Studio Facility on DreamWorks Animation Campus
Move Establishes Unprecedented Level of Collaboration Between Video Game Company and a Hollywood Studio
SANTA MONICA, Calif. and GLENDALE, Calif., May 10,
2006: Following on the heels of their multi-year
strategic alliance, Activision, Inc. (Nasdaq: ATVI) and
DreamWorks Animation SKG (NYSE: DWA) announced today that
Activision will be opening a dedicated studio facility on the
DreamWorks campus. The move, which establishes an
unprecedented level of collaboration between a Hollywood
studio and a video game company, will facilitate simultaneous
co-development between DreamWorks' CG feature films and
Activision games based on those films.
"This announcement marks an unparalleled step in the
convergence between Hollywood and video games," stated Robert
Kotick, Chairman and CEO, Activision, Inc. "For the first
time, we will be able to align our games' production
schedules with the movies' from the pre-production phase
onward. This will allow us to fully leverage the movie assets
and storylines, in addition to collaborating closely with the
talented production teams at DreamWorks to develop storylines
that expand the movie experience in new and compelling
ways."
"We're excited to have the game designers and film creators
exchanging ideas on a daily basis," said Jeffrey Katzenberg,
CEO of DreamWorks Animation. "We hope to create an immersive
atmosphere that will help us continue to produce the finest
in cutting-edge video games with Activision."
In November 2005, Activision signed a multi-year agreement
with DreamWorks Animation for the exclusive video game rights
to all current and future console platforms, PC, and handheld
devices for DreamWorks' upcoming feature films -- "Bee
Movie," "Kung Fu Panda," "Rex Havoc" and "How to Train Your
Dragon." The deal also extended Activision's rights beyond
"Shrek the Third" to include potential future films in the
"Shrek" franchise. The company's alliance with DreamWorks has
resulted in more than $300 million in video game sales
worldwide.
About DreamWorks Animation SKG
DreamWorks Animation SKG (NYSE: DWA) is principally devoted
to developing and producing computer-generated, or
CG-animated, feature films. With world-class creative talent,
a strong and experienced management team and advanced CG
filmmaking technology and techniques, DreamWorks Animation
makes high quality CG-animated films meant for a broad
movie-going audience.
About Activision, Inc.
Headquartered in Santa Monica, California, Activision, Inc.
is a leading worldwide developer, publisher and distributor
of interactive entertainment and leisure products. Founded in
1979, Activision posted net revenues of $1.47 for the fiscal
year ended March 31, 2006.
Activision maintains operations in the U.S., Canada, the
United Kingdom, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, Australia,
Scandinavia, Spain and the Netherlands. More information
about Activision and its products can be found on the
company's World Wide Web site, which is located at www.activision.com.
The statements made in this press release that are not
historical facts are "forward-looking statements." These
forward-looking statements are based on current expectations
and assumptions that are subject to risks and uncertainties.
The Company cautions readers of this press release that a
number of important factors could cause Activision's actual
future results to differ materially from those expressed in
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without limitation, product delays, retail acceptance of our
products, industry competition, rapid changes in technology
and industry standards, protection of proprietary rights,
maintenance of relationships with key personnel, vendors and
third-party developers, international economic and political
conditions, integration of recently acquired subsidiaries and
identification of suitable future acquisition opportunities.
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could affect the Company's financial results are described in
our filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission,
including the Company's most recent Annual report on Form
10-K and Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q. Readers of this press
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its intention, belief or expectation, at any time and without
notice, based upon any changes in such factors, in the
Company's assumptions or otherwise. The Company undertakes no
obligation to release publicly any revisions to any
forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances
after the date hereof or to reflect the occurrence of
unanticipated events.