Electronic Arts Announces Kuju Entertainment Partnership
Full steam ahead for advanced train simulator game
CHERTSEY, UK, June 24th, 2005 - Electronic Arts (Nasdaq:ERTS), the world's leading interactive entertainment software company, today announced a strategic partnership with Kuju Entertainment (LSE AIM: KUJ) to enable it to develop a new train simulator PC game for release in Europe in 2006. Financial terms of the agreement were not disclosed.
RAIL SIMULATOR* will offer the opportunity for players to take charge of steam, diesel and electric trains on real routes in the UK and Germany. Challenging and fun gameplay will even enable players to design their own ideal journey routes.
Kuju Entertainment previously developed Microsoft Train Simulator, which sold a million copies and inspired third-party companies to develop over 40 expansion packs.
"Our previous release showed the massive and sustainable appetite for train simulator games with add-ons still being released regularly. EA's enthusiastic involvement and powerful distribution will allow us to bring the next generation of train games to the mass market. RAIL SIMULATOR* will be based on an entirely new game engine, providing new levels of immersion and allowing enthusiasts to get even closer to the experience of driving their favourite locomotives," said Jonathan Newth, Managing Director, Kuju Entertainment.
Paul Jackson, Managing Director Northern Region, Electronic Arts, said, "We're proud to support a pioneer in simulator games in bringing a totally new title to market. RAIL SIMULATOR* will offer stunning 3D graphics and a totally realistic experience. Players will be able to enjoy a wide range of train environments; from the drama and romance of steam to the sheer power and sophistication of the latest high-speed locomotives."
For more information, please go to www.railsimulator.com.
- working title only
About Electronic Arts
Electronic Arts (EA), headquartered in Redwood City, California, is the world's leading interactive entertainment software company. Founded in 1982, the company develops, publishes, and distributes interactive software worldwide for videogame systems, personal computers and the Internet. Electronic Arts markets its products under four brand names: EA SPORTSTM, EATM, EA SPORTS BIGTM and POGOTM. In fiscal 2005, EA posted revenues of $3.1 billion and had 31 titles that sold more than one million copies. EA's homepage and online game site is www.ea.com. More information about EA's products and full text of press releases can be found on the Internet at http://info.ea.com.
About Kuju Entertainment
Kuju Entertainment, one of Europe's leading independent game developers on console, PC and wireless platforms, operates multiple studios in the UK and has been creating top-rated games for over fifteen years. Kuju maintains specialist console/PC divisions in the action, strategy/tactical, racing and lifestyle genres as well as separate divisions for wireless development and conversion projects.
Kuju is also a leading publisher of wireless Java games. Kuju Entertainment is a wholly owned subsidiary of Kuju plc. Kuju plc is listed on London's AIM market (LSE AIM: KUJ).
Electronic Arts, EA, EA SPORTS, EA SPORTS BIG and POGO are trademarks or registered trademarks of Electronic Arts Inc. in the U. S. and/or other countries. All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners.