Atari and Marc Ecko Sign Hip-Hop Star Talib Kweli To Provide Lead Voice Over For 'Marc Ecko's Getting Up: Contents Under Pressure'
‘Student of Truth’ Provides Authentic Voice for Protagonist, Trane
LONDON, UK - 11 January 2005 - Atari today announced hip-hop artist Talib Kweli will be the voice of Trane, the lead character in Atari's new video game, Marc Ecko's Getting Up: Contents Under Pressure. The video game promises to be an homage to graffiti's rich culture and represents the culmination of seven years of story and character development by fashion pioneer Marc Ecko, himself a former graffiti artist with deep ties to the urban community.
Known for his evocative and compelling lyrics, Kweli has recently released the critically acclaimed The Beautiful Struggle (2004) album and has toured with renowned artists and producers such as Mos Def, Kanye West, Jay-Z and Beastie Boys. As Trane, Kweli is providing the voice for an outcast and rebel determined to establish his credibility in the politically oppressive city of New Radius, but who ultimately becomes the unlikely leader of an urban revolution.
"Because a video game has a hip-hop soundtrack doesn't automatically make it a true representation of urban life. The urban reality is about making your voice heard and with Getting Up: Contents Under Pressure we're looking to authentically capture that daily challenge in a highly engaging manner," said Marc Ecko, Executive Creative Director for Getting Up. "There is no better artist to help challenge the video game status quo and personify Trane than Talib, and we are excited to be adding his respected talent to our video game."
The story's "Get IN, Get UP and Get OUT" gameplay mechanic offers players a unique combination of skills, including the sneak and street fighting abilities needed to battle through the city's rough streets and Get IN restricted areas; the dexterity and agility to scale any object in order to Get UP graffiti tags and spread the message of rebellion; and the ingenuity to evade, escape and Get OUT.
Developed by The Collective, Getting Up: Contents Under Pressure is scheduled for release in September 2005 for the PlayStation®2 computer entertainment system.
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About Marc Ecko Enterprises
Marc Ecko founded *ecko unltd., the world-famous rhino brand in 1993. In 10 years, the company has grown into the largest urban apparel brand. Product categories include: *ecko unltd. men's and women's apparel, outerwear, footwear, watches, eyewear, underwear, belts, bags, hats, small leather goods, formalwear and more. Marc Ecko Enterprises also includes Marc Ecko (a premium collection of men's clothing and accessories), the G-Unit Clothing Company (a joint venture with multi-platinum musician, 50 Cent), Zoo York (a line of skateboards and skate-influenced clothing and accessories), Femme Arsenal (an upscale line of women's clothing, accessories, and cosmetics), and Fetish (a women's collection developed in conjunction with recording artist/actress Eve to re-launch Fall 2005). The company also publishes Complex magazine, a young men's consumer magazine with a rate base of 315,000. *ecko unltd. products are available in more than 5,000 stores domestically and more than 45 countries internationally. *ecko unltd. runs more than 25 of its own retail stores across the country.
About The Collective
Founded in 1997 by industry veterans, The Collective, Inc. is a leading developer of interactive entertainment software and technology for all major console and computer platforms. In recent years, the Collective has created groundbreaking 3rd person action adventure games, including the critically acclaimed Indiana Jones and the Emperor's TombTM and Buffy the Vampire SlayerTM and the soon to be released Star Wars Episode III: Revenge of the SithTM. In the process, the studio has developed the world-class SlayerTM engine technology and SlayEdTM tool suite. The Collective is based in Newport Beach, California, and can be found on the Internet at www.collectivestudios.com.
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, Unreal Tournament, Test Drive, Roller Coaster Tycoon, etc.) and international licenses (Mission Impossible from Paramount, Men In Black, Superman, Matrix, Terminator and Dragon Ball Z).
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