Blockdot Launches New Advergame in Partnership with Universal Pictures' No-Holds Barred Comedy, "Let's Go to Prison"
October 24, 2006, Dallas, Texas - Dallas-based game creator Blockdot today announced the release of its new online fight game, "Bighouse Beatdown," in conjunction with Universal Pictures' new comedy, "Let's Go to Prison." The film, directed by Bob Odenkirk and starring Dax Shepard, Will Arnett and Chi McBride, arrives in theatres November 17.
Based upon the success of games created for the studio's summer comedy, "Accepted," Universal Pictures once again worked with Blockdot to create an online game in support of its latest release. "Bighouse Beatdown" is a fighting game with a retro look and feel, inspired by the classic style of "Street Fighter."
In the film, felon John Lyshitski (Shepard) has figured out the best way to get revenge on the now-dead judge who sent him to jail: watch the official's obnoxious son, Nelson Biederman the IVth (Arnett), survive the clink.
John strikes gold when Nelson is wrongly convicted of a crime and sent to the pen he used to call home. He gleefully gets sent back to become Nelson's cellmate and to ensure that his new buddy gets the "full treatment." Let the games begin.
As Biederman, players fight their way through prison scenes and bouts with characters from the film, felons who all want a piece of you, just a different piece... Fans of "Street Fighter" will recall the ability to beat an opponent by using repetitive moves. In "Bighouse Beatdown," however, there's a twist. Players must keep an eye on the "Passion Meter" - use the same move one too many times in a row and your opponent may fall in love.
The game also is the first to use in-game video footage from the movie, so players have a chance to view both exclusive scenes and previews. "Bighouse Beatdown" is available at http://prison.kewlbox.com and will be featured on the film's web site, www.letsgotoprison.com.
About Blockdot and Kewlbox.com
Blockdot, a division of Media General, Inc. (NYSE: MEG), is the leading producer and provider of casual games and company sponsored Advergames across multiple platforms, including Internet, interactive television, handheld and mobile devices. Blockdot has created over 250 games for a broad-range of leading brand name companies, including American Airlines, AT&T, Kimberly-Clark, Kraft, Motorola, M&Ms Brand, Nokia, Pepsi, Post Cereal, T.G.I. Friday's, Universal Pictures and Verizon. Millions of people play Blockdot games on their game site www.kewlbox.com, which consistently ranks as one of the Top 50 gaming portals on the internet and is used as the launching site for many of their client's promotions.