Foundation 9 Games Outscore Industry Averages
Jump in review scores underlines company's commitment to increasing quality
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
NEWPORT BEACH, CA - November 2, 2006 - Foundation 9 Entertainment, the largest independent developer in North America, announced today that it has made substantial gains in the realm of product reviews, despite the fact that review scores across the industry continue to decline.
Based on scores tabulated from GameRankings.com, F9E review scores in 2006 increased 370 basis points or nearly 5 percent over 2005, while review scores across the industry decreased 200-700 basis points depending on platform. The largest increase was seen in scores for titles on the Nintendo DS TM , where F9E games scored an average of 75 percent versus the platform average, which was 64 percent. PSP scores also outpaced the platform average, with F9E games scoring an average of 73 percent over the platform's 70 percent. With five titles currently in development across all next-gen consoles, including the recently announced original title, "Harker," F9E expects to see its quality initiatives migrate to those platforms as well.
"Foundation 9 has raised significant capital in part to invest in tools, production processes and quality oversight, and we're starting to see fantastic results as reflected in our review scores," said Richard Hare, executive vice president and chief creative officer. "We're very proud of the work our teams have produced this year and will be excited to continue offering our publishing partners and, ultimately consumers, better videogames."
Foundation 9 games leading the way in terms of above average reviews include the award-winning "Age of Empires: The Age of Kings" for the Nintendo DS as well as recent releases, "MechAssault: Phantom War," also for the DS and "Death, Jr. 2: Root of Evil" for PSP, which is garnering scores as much as 10 percentage points higher than the original game released last year.
By years end, Foundation 9's studios will have completed more than 30 titles for multiple platforms. Forthcoming games this year include "Rampage: Total Destruction" for Wii; "Sonic Rivals" and "Activision Hits: Remixed for PSP TM ;" and "Charlotte's Web" for DS and Game Boy ® Advance.
About Foundation 9 Entertainment
Foundation 9 Entertainment is a premier developer of interactive entertainment products and properties, and the largest independent games developer in North America. With studios in the San Francisco Bay Area, Vancouver, Boston, Los Angeles, Newport Beach, Eugene, and Charlottetown, Foundation 9 Entertainment is a development powerhouse, uniquely positioned to maximize the value of entertainment properties across all entertainment genres.
Through its studios and core brands, Backbone Entertainment, The Collective, Shiny Entertainment, Pipeworks, ImaginEngine, and Digital Eclipse, Foundation 9 Entertainment has worked with the largest names in the game publishing world, including Electronic Arts, Konami, Sega, Capcom and Take-Two Interactive. The company creates titles for all age groups and all platforms, through licensed and original IP, as well as contract development and its studios have developed more than 350 titles, including more than 30 in 2006 alone. For more information, please visit: www.F9E.com.
CONTACT:
Nicole Tanner
Foundation 9 Entertainment
nicolet@f9e.com
Eric Gonzalez
Kohnke Communications
415-777-4000
eric@kohnkecomm.com