MGM And EON Grant Activision Rights To James Bond Video Game License
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Santa Monica, CA., May 3, 2006 - MGM Interactive and
EON Productions Ltd. have awarded Activision Inc. (Nasdaq:
ATVI) the rights to develop and publish interactive
entertainment games based on the James Bond license through
2014.
This marriage of best-in-class intellectual property and
next-generation gaming expertise continues the Bond
franchise's long legacy of providing thrills to audiences
around the globe. Since the initial release of Dr. No in
1962, James Bond films have grossed more than $3.6 billion
theatrically worldwide and approximately 30 million units of
video games based on the world of James Bond have been sold
to date. James Bond continues to delight audiences worldwide
with a quintessential blend of action, glamour and
sophisticated style synonymous with top secret agent
007.
"James Bond is the ultimate action movie franchise, and we
look forward to establishing a long-term relationship with
MGM and EON," said Mike Griffith, president and CEO of
Activision Publishing Inc. "The James Bond franchise creates
tremendous global expansion opportunities for Activision as
it is one of the few video game licenses that appeals equally
to domestic and international consumers. James Bond
storylines are rich with style, drama and action, all of
which lend themselves perfectly to developing extraordinary
games that capture the thrill of being the most celebrated
secret agent in the world."
Under the terms of the agreement, Activision will obtain the
worldwide rights to create video games for all current and
next-generation consoles, PC and hand-held platforms. The
license will grant Activision the right to develop and
publish games based on all of the James Bond movies, as well
as non-movie based games.
"MGM Interactive continues to work with best in class
publishing and development teams, to ensure we deliver both
memorable and fully immersive interactive gaming experiences
for both core and mass-market gamers," said Travis
Rutherford, MGM's executive vice president, Consumer Products
and Location-Based Entertainment. "Activision's proven
expertise in developing cutting edge games, their core
competency in managing large movie franchises combined with
the global appeal of the James Bond property, will create a
new benchmark for the next-generation gaming experience. We
are excited to be partnered with Activision and look forward
to a long and mutually successful partnership."
"Activision's track record of developing engaging and
sophisticated games across all platforms makes it the ideal
partner to introduce the Bond videogame experience to a new
generation of game players, as well as to provide new thrills
and excitement for the legions of people who are already fans
of the Bond films and games" said David Pope, CEO of EON
Productions Limited, maker of the James Bond films.
About Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Inc.
MGM Interactive manages Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Studio Inc.'s
business, development and production of interactive products
for a variety of multi-media platforms, as well as talent and
developer relationships.
Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Inc., through its operating subsidiaries
is actively engaged in the worldwide production and
distribution of motion pictures, television programming, home
video, interactive media, music, and licensed merchandise.
The company owns the world's largest library of modern films,
comprising around 4,000 titles. Operating units including
Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Studios Inc., Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer
Pictures Inc., United Artists Films Inc., MGM Television
Entertainment Inc., MGM Networks Inc., MGM Distribution Co.,
MGM International Television Distribution Inc.,
Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Home Entertainment LLC, MGM ON STAGE, MGM
Music, MGM Consumer Products and MGM Interactive. In
addition, MGM has ownership interests in international TV
channels reaching nearly 110 countries. Under the supervision
of new Chairman and CEO Harry Sloan, MGM is revitalizing all
areas of the company. As a result, the studio is now being
positioned as an independent, vertical integrated multi-media
company.
MGM ownership is currently as follows: Providence Equity
Partners (29%), Texas Pacific Group (21%), Sony Corporation
of America (20%), Comcast (20%), DLJ Merchant Banking
Partners (7%) and Quadrangle Group (3%). For more
information, visit www.mgm.com.
About EON Productions
EON Productions/Danjaq LLC is owned by the Broccoli family
and has produced 20 James Bond film since 1962. The Bond
films make up the most successful franchise in film history
and include such blockbuster films, Goldeneye, Tomorrow Never
Dies, The World is Not Enough and Die Another Day produced by
Michael G. Wilson and Barbara Broccoli. EON Productions and
Danjaq LLC are affiliate companies and control all worldwide
merchandising of the James Bond franchise.
About Activision
Headquartered in Santa Monica, Calif., Activision Inc. is a
leading worldwide developer, publisher and distributor of
interactive entertainment and leisure products. Founded in
1979, Activision posted net revenues of $1.4 billion for the
fiscal year ended March 31, 2005. Activision maintains
operations in the U.S., Canada, the United Kingdom, France,
Germany, Italy, Japan, Australia, Scandinavia, Spain and the
Netherlands. More information about Activision and its
products can be found on the company's World Wide Web site,
which is located at www.activision.com.
The statements made in this press release that are not
historical facts are "forward-looking statements". These
forward-looking statements are based on current expectations
and assumptions that are subject to risks and uncertainties.
The Company cautions readers of this press release that a
number of important factors could cause Activision's actual
future results to differ materially from those expressed in
any such forward-looking statements. Such factors include,
without limitation, product delays, retail acceptance of our
products, industry competition, rapid changes in technology
and industry standards, protection of proprietary rights,
maintenance of relationships with key personnel, vendors and
third-party developers, international economic and political
conditions, integration of recently acquired subsidiaries and
identification of suitable future acquisition opportunities.
These important factors and other factors that potentially
could affect the Company's financial results are described in
our filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission,
including the Company's most recent Annual report on Form
10-K and Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q. Readers of this press
release are referred to such filings. The Company may change
its intention, belief or expectation, at any time and without
notice, based upon any changes in such factors, in the
Company's assumptions or otherwise. The Company undertakes no
obligation to release publicly any revisions to any
forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances
after the date hereof or to reflect the occurrence of
unanticipated events.
# # #