Ubisoft And Sony Online Entertainment Extend Their Collaboration For The PSP(TM) System
New titles to hit shelves in spring 2006.
22 November 2005
Today Ubisoft, one of the world's largest video game publishers, is pleased to announce that it is extending its publishing agreement with Sony Online Entertainment, Inc. (SOE) to introduce two new games for the PlayStation®Portable: Field CommanderTM and Untold LegendsTM: The Warrior's CodeTM. Both games are scheduled for release in spring 2006 throughout Europe, Asia and Australia/New Zealand.
These games are the latest result of the strategic agreement between Ubisoft and SOE to publish multiple titles for the PSPTM system in these territories, following up on Ubisoft's announcement that FRANTIX and GripShiftTM would be released in Europe, Asia and Australia in the following weeks. The new games will build on Ubisoft's success with titles for next-generation portable consoles. Ubisoft currently ranks among the top three independent publishers for next-gen portables in the US, the UK and France [1]. Sales of titles for these consoles accounted for 19% of Ubisoft's total sales in the first half of 2005-2006.
Developed by Sony Online Entertainment, Field CommanderTM is the first military turn-based strategy game for the PSPTM system and offers engaging, challenging skill-based warfare in a realistic military setting. Untold LegendsTM: the Warrior's CodeTM, developed by SOE, is the sequel to the highly successful Untold LegendsTM: Brotherhood of the BladeTM. It will enthrall gamers with an all-new, epic storyline brought to life through dramatic in-game cinematics and character voice-over, an evolutionary combat experience and unique 3D graphics with real-time lighting and handcrafted environments.
"We are pleased to work with Ubisoft to bring two new and exciting titles to the PSP," said Chris Sturr, senior brand manager, Sony Online Entertainment. "Untold LegendsTM: the Warrior's CodeTM is the follow up to one of the top-selling PSPTM titles of all time, and Field CommanderTM is the first military turn-based strategy game for the PSPTM. Both titles offer compelling game play experiences that will appeal to casual and hardcore gamers alike."
"These two new titles reinforce our growing catalog of PSPTM games," said Alain Corre, Ubisoft's executive director for Europe, Middle East and Asia. "SOE is innovating once again for the PSPTM, and we are very happy to be associated with the distribution of these two future hits."
[1]1st independent publisher in the UK, 2nd independent publisher in France, 3rd independent publisher in the United States.
Source: Chart Track, in value, during the period from January to September 2005.
Source: GFK, in value, during the period from January to September 2005.
Source: NPD, in value, during the period from January to September 2005.
®2005 Ubisoft Entertainment.
Field Commander, Untold Legends: The Warrior's Code, Frantix and GripShift are published and distributed by Ubisoft Entertainment under licence from Sony Online Entertainment Inc. Ubisoft and the Ubisoft logo are trademarks of Ubisoft Entertainment in the U.S. and/or other countries
SOE and the SOE logo are registered trademarks and Field Commander, Untold Legends, The Warrior's Code and Frantix are trademark of Sony Online Entertainment Inc. GripShift® 2005 Prodigy Design Limited."PSP" is a trademark and "PlayStation" and the "PS" Family logo are registered trademarks of Sony Computer Entertainment Inc..
About Ubisoft:
Ubisoft is a leading producer, publisher and distributor of interactive entertainment products worldwide and has grown considerably through its strong and diversified line-up of products and partnerships. Ubisoft has offices in 21 countries and sales in more than 50 countries around the globe. It is committed to delivering high-quality, cutting-edge videogame titles to consumers. Ubisoft generated revenue of 538 million for the 2004-2005 fiscal year, an increase of 8 percent over the previous fiscal year at constant exchange rates. To learn more, please visit www.ubisoftgroup.com.
This press release contains statements that are forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These statements are based on current expectations, estimates and projections about UbiSoft's business based, in part, on assumptions made by its management. These statements are not guarantees of UbiSoft's future performance and involve risks, uncertainties and assumptions that are difficult to predict. Therefore, actual outcomes and results may differ materially from what is expressed or forecasted in such forward-looking statements due to numerous factors, including, but not limited to, those described above and the following: changes in demand for UbiSoft's products, product mix, the timing of customer orders and deliveries, the impact of competitive products and pricing and difficulties encountered in the integration of acquired businesses. In addition, such statements could be affected by growth rates and market conditions relating to the interactive software industry and general domestic and international economic conditions. Specific information concerning these and other such factors is contained in UbiSoft's current report on Form 8-K as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on November 21, 2001. A copy of this filing may be obtained by contacting UbiSoft or the SEC. The forward-looking statements contained herein speak only as of the date on which they are made, and UbiSoft does not undertake any obligation to update any forward-looking statement to reflect events or circumstances after the date of this release.