Atari Adventures Into Luc Besson's Animated World Of "Arthur and the Minimoys"
Upcoming Video Game Inspired by the Universe Created by Luc Besson will Coincide with the Film's Theatrical Release in North America
NEW YORK, NY, May 9, 2006 - Atari, Inc.
(NASDAQ: ATAR) continues to explore new worlds with the
upcoming action-adventure game Arthur and the Minimoys.
Directly inspired by world famous film director and writer
Luc Besson's upcoming animated film of the same name, the
Arthur and the Minimoys game will follow the film's storyline
and feature eye-popping graphics and technical innovations.
Set to time with the theatrical release of the movie in North
America, Arthur and the Minimoys game is currently in
development for PlayStation®2 computer entertainment system,
PSP (PlayStation®Portable) system, Nintendo DS,
Game Boy® Advance, and the Windows platform.
"We are pleased and proud to take part in this international
adventure and 'Arthur and the Minimoys' is sure to be an
animation blockbuster. Technology will really bring out the
sensitivity and energy of the world Luc Besson has created.
By working with the film crew from day one, not only have we
stayed extremely faithful to the film, but we have also
developed parallel adventures specifically for the game,
which should be popular with gamers and fans alike," said
Atari, Inc. Chief Executive Officer Bruno Bonnell.
The game allows players to relive the fantastic adventure of
young Arthur and his two pals, princess Selenia and her
brother Bétamèche, in their mission to save the Minimoys'
world from destruction. As they move through the various
Minimoy lands, players will encounter extraordinary
adventures, menacing enemies, rich environments and varying
gameplay elements including driving, fighting, flying and
puzzle solving. The game offers an intense enactment of
Besson's magnificent adventure while incorporating the all of
the richness and extraordinary visuals of the film.
"When you make a children's film, your primary intent is to
introduce kids to a new world that is both fantastic and
exciting. Atari's video game will keep the film's adventure
alive by allowing players to step into the characters' shoes
to explore and try to save the world of the Minimoys," said
Luc Besson, Chairman of EuropaCorp.
Arthur and the Minimoys' unique and innovative structure
revolves around the supportive co-op teamwork of the three
characters, Arthur, Selenia and Bétamèche. Players can only
progress by cleverly combining the three characters' skills -
Arthur is an acrobat, Selenia a warrior and Bétamèche a
marksman. In solving mysteries and overcoming obstacles,
players will realize that anything is possible when you work
together.
The PlayStation 2, PSP system and PC versions of the game are
being produced by the Lyon-and Paris-based Etranges
Libellules, creator of several successful animated games,
including Asterix XXL and Kirikou. The Nintendo DS game is
developed by Dreamon, and the Nintendo Game Boy Advance
version by Mistic.
# # #
About Luc Besson
Writer, director and producer Luc Besson was seduced by the
inner workings of the French cinema industry at the age of
17. Following a steady climb through the ranks, during which
time he continued to write, he eventually directed his first
short film starring an actor he had earlier befriended, Jean
Reno. The film, "L'avant Dernier", was the genesis of his
first full length feature entitled "Le Dernier Combat". The
film, a silent French science fiction movie shot entirely in
black and white, was lauded at the Avoriaz Festival in 1983
winning the jury Grand Prize and critics prize, proving to be
the start of a major career. A string of hit films followed,
with Besson taking the role of writer, director, and
sometimes producer, on movies including "Subway" (1985), "The
Big Blue" (1988), "Nikita" (1990), "Leon" (1995), "Nil by
Mouth" (Producer, 1997), "The Fifth Element" (1997), "Taxi"
(1998), "Joan of Arc" (1999), and "Kiss of the Dragon" (2000)
amongst numerous others. In 2001 Besson co-founded a new
independent European film studio, EuropaCorp with an
impressive remit. In 2002 Besson completed and published the
first book in the "Arthur and the Minimoys" series in France
generating sales in excess of 200,000. Successful sequels
followed with the books now available across the globe. The
animated feature film of the same name is currently in
production and represents the first European-made 3D animated
feature film produced with a Hollywood budget for global
release.
About EuropaCorp
EuropaCorp develops, produces and co-produces movies in
France and internationally. It handles distribution and
publishing in all forms according to a single vertical model.
With more than 40 movie productions and coproductions since
2000, EuropaCorp posted consolidated sales of about
100 million in the financial year ended 31 March 2005.
About BUF
The "Buf" company, leaded by his managing directing Pierre
Buffin, has been part of the TOP 10 of the best CGI effects
creators for motion pictures in the last ten years. Luc
Besson and Pierre Buffin collaborated on several commercials
and music videos, especially "LOVE PROFUSION" for Madonna.
Buf had developed a revolutionary animation programme more
than five years ago, which enchanted Luc Besson. And no later
than 2001, Buf and EuropaCorp joined forces on this fabulous
adventure of ARTHUR AND THE MINIMOYS, which might be the
first chapter before ARTHUR 2 and ARTHUR 3, adapted from the
already published series of books.
About Etranges Libellules
Established in 1994 and based in Lyon, France, video game
development studio Etranges Libellules specialises in the
adaptation of existing characters to the world of video
games. The high quality of its engineers and the exceptional
creativity of its designers and graphic artists has led to
the development of successful games based on the universes of
Kirikou, Pink Panther and Asterix. By proposing fun,
intuitive and innovative gameplay, enhanced by a production
process which allows for extreme fine tuning of the products,
Etranges Libellules is creating games that have all the
ingredients to reach the top of the sales charts. The company
recently completed the latest Asterix game, Asterix &
Obelix XXL2, which is based on captivating gameplay and a
highly original scenario. Etranges Libellules has been chosen
by Luc Besson to produce the video game based on his
forthcoming animated feature film. The team has been
installed within the film studio where "Arthur and the
Minimoys" is being shot in order to work hand in hand with
the movie team. Never before have a game and a movie been
developed in such close collaboration.
About Infogrames Entertainment and
Atari
Infogrames Entertainment (IESA), the parent company of the
Atari Group, is listed on the Paris Euronext stock exchange
(ISIN code: FR-0000052573) and has two principal
subsidiaries: Atari Europe, a privately-held company, and
Atari, Inc., a United States corporation listed on NASDAQ
(ATAR). The Atari Group is a major international producer,
publisher and distributor of interactive entertainment
software for all market segments and in all existing game
formats (Microsoft, Nintendo and Sony) and on CD-ROM for PC.
Its games are sold in more than 60 countries. The Atari
Group's extensive catalogue of popular games is based on
original franchises (Driver, Alone in the Dark, V-Rally, Test
Drive, Roller Coaster Tycoon, etc.) and international
licenses (Matrix, Dragon Ball Z, Dungeons & Dragons,
etc.). For more information: http://www.atari.com
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