B-Boy art selected for Into The Pixel.

2nd May 2006. Warwick, UK. FreeStyleGames today announced that 'Darkness,' a piece of art created for their forthcoming game - B-Boy - has been selected from over 150 submissions and will feature as one of only 16 images chosen to represent the best examples of art in videogames.

Into The Pixel is hosted by The Academy of Interactive Arts & Sciences (AIAS), the Electronic Entertainment Expo (E3Expo) and The Los Angeles County Museum of Art (Prints and Drawings Council) and is now in its third year.

Chippy, artist who created 'Darkness' added, "The artwork came from days of solid brush drawings and splashing paint. These were then scanned and used as the foundations for the body of the illustrations. Then we used Graf techniques to paint Darkness into this brush drawing using Photoshop. We intentionally gave the stylings of Graffiti a wide berth and concentrated more on the techniques that they used. This was a two-fold decision it gave something of the energy and style of the b-boy community to the mass market, but more importantly it didn't alienate that community with a cynical cash in on their culture."

Jamie Jackson, Art Director of FreeStyleGames commented, "This is great recognition for us and for Chippy. We set out 12 months ago to create an art style that you would instantly associate with B-Boy. Not only have we achieved that, we have also achieved praise for our peers."

The selected artwork will be printed by a Master Printer, then framed and hung in the Into the Pixel Gallery at E³ -- where more than 60,000 E³ attendees and the general public will have the opportunity of viewing it. The ITP Gallery and Art Bar are in the Concourse Foyer of the Los Angeles County Convention Center.

B-Boy art Darkness will be unveiled at the Into the Pixel Opening Reception to be held at E³ on Wednesday, May 10 in the ITP Gallery/Concourse Foyer at the LA Convention Center

To learn more about Into the Pixel, its art and jurors, or to view the 2006 Collection, including Darkness, please go to: www.IntoThePixel.com.

For further information please contact:

Alison Beasley, Lincoln Beasley PR. T: +44 (0) 1608 645756. M: +44 (0) 7966 449130. E: Alison@lincolnbeasley.co.uk

About B-Boy
B-Boy uses a dynamically controlled fighting system to help you battle the best b-boys on the planet. Over the course of an in-depth "B-Boy Life" mode, players build up a crew and battle against real-life superstar b-boys including in-game host Crazy Legs, the legendary and original b-boy, who worked closely with the development team to ensure the game's authenticity.
Players must learn, develop and master more than 800 motion captured moves as they progress from street battles to the world championships, gaining style and respect as they battle their way around the world, visiting 21 realistic venues.
Those looking for instant action can head for the arcade modes for battles against rival b-boys or multiplayer face-offs using PSP's Wireless functionality. B-Boy also allows players to create their own b-boy and upgrade and customise their breaker and, includes more than 40 licensed contemporary hip hop and classic funk tracks, mixed and scratched on the fly by in-game DJs.
B-Boy Developed by FreeStyleGames, in collaboration with Crazy Legs and DJ Hooch, B-Boy is due for release in September 2006 on PSP(PlayStation®Portable) and PlayStation®2.

More information about PlayStation products can be found at http://www.scee.com , www.yourpsp.com and www.playstation.com. or visit the Virtual Press Office at www.scee.presscentre.com.

About FreeStyleGames

FreeStyleGames is one of a new wave of groundbreaking European development studios. Founded by a highly talented and experienced team, the company is re-inventing independent development. FreeStyleGames employ ambitious people and encourage fun & adventurous lifestyles to delivering fresh, original & innovative console intellectual property for a new mass market audience. FreeStyleGames is based in Warwickshire, UK and currently employs 26 staff.

More information about FreeStyleGames can be found at http://www.freestylegames.com


About the Academy of Interactive Arts & Sciences:
The Academy of Interactive Arts & Sciences® (AIAS) was founded in 1996 as a not-for-profit organization dedicated to the advancement and recognition of the interactive arts. The Academy's mission is to promote and advance common interests in the worldwide interactive entertainment community; recognize outstanding achievements in the interactive arts and sciences; and conduct an annual awards show (Interactive Achievement Awards) to enhance awareness of the interactive art form. The Academy also strives to provide a voice for individuals in the interactive entertainment community. In 2002 the Academy created the D.I.C.E. (Design, Innovate, Communicate, Entertain) Summit, a once yearly conference dedicated to exploring approaches to the creative process and artistic expression as they uniquely apply to the development of interactive entertainment. The Academy has over 10,000 members, with the board comprised of senior executives from the major videogame companies including Bioware/Pandemic, Electronic Arts, Microsoft, Nintendo, Sony and Ubisoft. More information on AIAS and the D.I.C.E. Summit can be found at http://www.interactive.org and http://www.dicesummit.org

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