Rango: The WORLD

Los Angeles, Calif. –February 10, 2010 – Funtactix, a worldwide developer of innovative, browser-based games, and Paramount Digital Entertainment today announced they have teamed up to create an online multiplayer game based on the Paramount Pictures / Nickelodeon Movies soon-to-be released animated feature film Rango starring the voice of Johnny Depp . Rango: The WORLD will make its debut alongside Rango on March 4, 2011. 

Rango: The WORLD is a multiplayer online universe that lets participants become the hero: fans can create their own character, join their friends and explore the dynamic world of the film, including the town of Dirt and its surroundings. Along the way, players encounter the colorful characters from the film, embark on quests, compete in mini-games and customize their own personal hub.

This marks one of the first applications of Funtactix’ ‘The WORLD’ solution, a multi-year technology investment designed to create authentic online experiences with compelling characters and breathtaking visuals, giving fans the opportunity to enter the world of their favorite film.

“ Rango: The WORLD is the first announced game that uses our revolutionary ’The WORLD’ solution, which lets us bring animation film assets into a web-based game without compromising fidelity or authenticity,” said Sam Glassenbergbegin_of_the_skype_highlighting     end_of_the_skype_highlighting, CEO of Funtactix. “ Rango is a visually groundbreaking feature; combining the film’s assets with our technology provided the perfect springboard for us to permanently raise the bar for browser-based games and bring the world of Rango to the massive audience of fans on the web.” 

“ Rango’s characters and their outrageous antics are well-suited for a variety of gaming platforms and players of all ages,” stated Tom Lesinski, President of Paramount Digital Entertainment. “ Rango: The WORLD gives younger fans of the film a fun way to interact and personalize the characters and storyline in an immersive online environment.”

Paramount Digital Entertainment is launching two games based on the upcoming Paramount Pictures / Nickelodeon Movies animated feature film Rango.  In addition to Rango: The WORLD, Paramount Digital Entertainment is publishing an action-adventure console game, Rango The Videogame that invites players to continue on Rango’s wild journey through new adventures inspired by the movie.   Rango The Videogame will be available on console platforms including PlayStation® 3 computer entertainment system, Wii™, Nintendo DS and Xbox®360 videogame and entertainment system starting March 1st. 

Rango: The WORLD is currently in development by the award-winning design team at Funtactix. Founded in 2006, Funtactix works with leading entertainment companies to deliver visually stunning, highly innovative online games and virtual worlds around leading media franchises.  For more information about Funtactix and Rango: The WORLD, please visit www.funtactix.com

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About Funtactix 

Founded in 2006, Funtactix is a pioneer in web-based gaming. Led by industry veterans, the Funtactix team champions a streamlined production approach: delivering highly-innovative gaming experiences on rapid production timelines  with tight community iteration.  Funtactix works with leading entertainment companies to deliver visually stunning, microtransaction-based online games and virtual worlds around leading media franchises. In early 2008, the studio was first-to-market with in-browser 3D multiplayer action as featured in Moondo, an award-winning online world of deeply-integrated avatar-based games. Funtactix is backed by Jerusalem Venture Partners, and is based out of New York with development studios in Jerusalem, Tel Aviv, and Los Angeles. For more information, please visit www.funtactix.com

About Paramount Digital Entertainment

Paramount Digital Entertainment (PDE) is a division of Paramount Pictures Corporation. PDE develops and distributes filmed entertainment across worldwide digital distribution platforms including online, mobile and portable devices, videogames, and emerging technologies.

Paramount Pictures Corporation (PPC), a global producer and distributor of filmed entertainment, is a unit of Viacom (NYSE:VIA, VIA.B), a leading content company with prominent and respected film, television and digital entertainment brands. The company's labels include Paramount Pictures, Paramount Vantage, Paramount Classics, MTV Films and Nickelodeon Movies. PPC operations also include Paramount Digital Entertainment, Paramount Famous Productions, Paramount Home Entertainment, Paramount Pictures International, Paramount Licensing Inc., Paramount Studio Group and Paramount Worldwide Television Distribution.

About RANGO

From the director of Pirates of the Caribbean comes RANGO, featuring Johnny Depp in an original animated comedy-adventure that takes moviegoers for a hilarious and heartfelt walk in the Wild West.  The story follows the comical, transformative journey of Rango (Depp), a sheltered chameleon living as an ordinary family pet, while facing a major identity crisis.  After all, how high can you aim when your whole purpose in life is to blend in?  When Rango accidentally winds up in the gritty, gun-slinging town of Dirt – a lawless outpost populated by the desert’s most wily and whimsical creatures – the less-than-courageous lizard suddenly finds he stands out.  Welcomed as the last hope the town has been waiting for, new Sheriff Rango is forced to play his new role to the hilt . . . until, in a blaze of action-packed situations and encounters with outrageous characters, Rango starts to become the hero he once only pretended to be.  With a cast that includes Depp, Isla Fisher, Abigail Breslin, Alfred Molina, Bill Nighy, Harry Dean Stanton, Ray Winstone and Timothy Olyphant as the Spirit of the West, Rango is an exciting new twist on the classic Western legend of the outsider who saves a town – and himself in the process.  

Press Contacts:

Jennifer St. Clair

Paramount Digital Entertainment

Jennifer_st_clair@paramount.com

323-956-2993

Tracie Snitker

Reverb Communications (for Funtactix)

Tracie@reverbinc.com

209-586-1495 x104