Kuju Crash into 3G
Kuju develop Crash® Twinsanity™ 3G/3D into No.1 hit for Wonderphone.
6th December 2004. Godalming, Surrey, UK. Kuju Entertainment Ltd., the dynamic, wholly owned subsidiary of Kuju Entertainment PLC (AIM: KUJ) today announced that its recently developed Crash® TwinsanityTM has reached the No.1 spot*. The game is co-published by Wonderphone and Vivendi Universal Games and has released exclusively on a selection of Third Generation (3G) handsets that accompany the commercial launch of Vodafone's live! with 3G service.
Kuju used its extensive knowledge of 3D game development on PlayStationTM 2, Xbox and PC to ensure the popular Crash Bandicoot® character is brought to life in full 3D glory for the first time on java-enabled handsets that support true 3D graphic rendering. Specifically, this will concern the following Vodafone 3G handsets:
- Motorola E1000, V980, C980
- Nokia 6630
- SonyEricsson V800
- Sharp 802 SH, 902 SH
- Toshiba V902T
Kevin Holloway, Director of Publishing for Kuju Entertainment enthused, 'We're delighted to have worked on such a popular license, and for it to be one of the first 3D games available when Vodafone launches Vodafone live! with 3G is very exciting. The communication tie-in we experienced with both Wonderphone and Vivendi Universal Games also enabled us to extend the fun and feel of the console game to the mobile game.
A Wonderphone spokesperson said, "Working with Kuju Entertainment on this project has been an enjoyable process. Kuju was able to capture the intricacies of rendering Vivendi Universal Game's world famous Crash Bandicoot character and to overcome the technical challenges of the new 3D technology on mobile handsets. Both Wonderphone and Vivendi Universal Games are very pleased with the results and believe that we have extended the reach of the world's most famous marsupial by bringing him to this new 3D platform".
*http://web-r3.vfuk.e2e-center.com/browse.php?d=622&ct=1
About Crash Twinsanity.
Wicked Twins from another dimension invade the island home of Crash Bandicoot, revealing their plans to destroy Dr Cortex, enslave Crash and his friends and to decimate their island home. To face this great evil, Crash must team up with his creator and arch-enemy, Dr Cortex!
On each level, players either control Crash or a combination of Crash and Cortex together as they run along obstacle-strewn pathways. The action is set on three graphically diverse islands where our heroes face the challenges of thrown at them by dangerous enemies.
Crash Twinsanity is currently enjoying success as a new release for PlayStation 2 and Xbox by publisher Vivendi Universal Games. Crash Twinsanity is also available for most of the other Vodafone handsets in a 2D variant of the game.
Further information available from: Alison Beasley, Lincoln Beasley PR.
E: Alison@lincolnbeasley.co.uk T: +44 1608 645756 M: +44 7966 449130
About Kuju
Kuju Entertainment is one of Europe's leading independent games developers on console, PC and wireless platforms. Located in four studios in the UK, Kuju has a substantial development capability and has been creating top-rated games for over fourteen years. Kuju maintains specialist groups in the following console genres; action, strategy/tactical and racing as well as expert teams in wireless development and conversion projects.
Recent games completed include the top five hit Fire Warrior for THQ on PlayStation2 and PC number 1 hit Microsoft Train Simulator. As well as Lotus Challenge, Fireblade and Reign Of Fire all on PlayStation 2 and Xbox.
Kuju's superb technology team maintains state-of-the-art engines for PlayStation 2, Xbox and PC. The engine includes leading edge console broadband online multi-player support for both PlayStation 2 and Xbox. Kuju's Fire Warrior was the first title developed in Europe to gain PlayStation 2 approval. The technology team has recently undertaken extensive work on PlayStation Portable.
Kuju is currently working on projects with Activision, Codemasters, Konami, Nintendo and Sony Computer Entertainment. All these projects are confidential except the Nintendo title which is Advance Wars: Under Fire for GameCube and the Konami title which is a special forces FPS, provisionally titled 'The Regiment'.
Kuju is also a leading developer and publisher of wireless games. This business unit concentrates on creating games for the Java and Symbian platforms. Kuju Entertainment is a wholly owned subsidiary of Kuju plc. Kuju plc is publicly traded on the London Stock Exchange's Alternative Investment Market (LSE AIM: KUJ).
About Wonderphone
Press contact: press.games@wonder-phone.com
Headquartered in Paris, Wonderphone is a leading provider of video and interactive entertainment for mobile phones. The video division of Wonderphone is the leading European provider of video bouquets for mobiles and has secured the exclusive rights for more than one million branded, original and alternative mobile-specific video clips. Wonderphone today runs 25 video channels and provides an end-to-end solution for publishing video for mobile. Wonderphone operates the video portals of several major European operators. The games division of Wonderphone develops and publishes a portfolio of java blockbusters games. Wonderphone has signed an exclusive international publishing deal with Vivendi Universal Games for mobile gaming. Crash Twinsanity is the fourth game game co-published with Vivendi Universal Games after Crash Nitro Kart, Spyro: Ripto Quest and Leisure Suit Larry : Magna cum Laude, all chart-topping titles based on famous Vivendi licenses and released in 2004.
About Vivendi Universal Games
Headquartered in Los Angeles, Vivendi Universal Games is a global leader in multi-platform interactive entertainment. The company develops, publishes and distributes interactive products across all major platforms including PCs, video game consoles and the Internet. Vivendi Universal Games' portfolio of development studios and publishing labels includes Black Label Games, Blizzard Entertainment, Coktel, Fox Interactive, and Sierra Entertainment. Additionally, Vivendi Universal Games co-publishes and/or distributes titles for a number of strategic partners, including Interplay, inXile entertainment, Majesco and Mythic Entertainment, among others.