Fare Deal!
Fund4Games to finance Kuju’s Rail Simulator*
22nd July 2005. Surrey, UK. Kuju Entertainment (AIM:KUJ) today disclosed that the development of their recently announced PC title Rail Simulator* is being created in conjunction with Fund4Games, the videogame industry's leading project finance and management company.
Rail Simulator follows on from Kuju Entertainment's previously developed Microsoft Train Simulator, which sold over a million copies worldwide and inspired third-party companies to develop over 40 expansion packs.
Jonathan Newth, Managing Director of Kuju Entertainment commented, 'Our industry is constantly changing and throwing up new challenges in all areas; in order to remain competitive, publishers and developers have to be open to new ways of doing business. The decision to use 3rd party finance as a part of the production of Rail Simulator allows a structure of IP ownership and commercial interaction with the Rail Simulator community which would be difficult to achieve through more a traditional two party structure.' He continued. 'The publisher model is still very important but it's no longer the only option, particularly for titles like Rail Simulator'.
Tim Gatland, Chief Executive of Fund4Games added, 'We believe that the F4G financing model provides major benefits to both developers and publishers, creating a new model for the production and launch of videogames. We are delighted to be working with Kuju & EAP on this exciting project. We recognise Kuju's proven capability in developing train simulation games and we believe that together with EAP they will create a world-class product.'
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. Rail Simulator will become the gold standard rail simulation title and will fully support the creation of add-on third party content in a similar fashion to the earlier Microsoft Train Simulator.
For further information please contact: Alison Beasley, Lincoln Beasley PR
T: +44(0) 1608 645756 E: Alison@lincolnbeasley.co.uk
Rail Simulator is to be released in Europe in 2006 and is to be distributed and marketed by Electronic Arts (Nasdaq: ERTS). www.ea.com
*Rail Simulator - working title
About Kuju EntertainmentKuju Entertainment, one of Europe's leading independent game developers on console, PC and wireless platforms, operates four 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).
About Fund4GamesFund4Games is the trading name of F4G Software plc, a company that supplies project finance and management expertise to the computer games industry.
Established in 2003 in conjunction with Noble and Company, F4G has been involved in the management and finance of a number of significant game development including "Juiced" and "World Championship Rugby". F4G is currently managing the development of the Mafia title "Interview with the Made Man".
About Electronic ArtsElectronic 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.
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.