Split/Second: Velocity

London, UK. — (May 21, 2010) — One of the most anticipated video games of 2010 is now available with Split/Second: Velocity arriving at retail outlets across UK today. Published by Disney Interactive Studios and developed by Black Rock Studio, the dynamic game is releasing on the Xbox 360® video game and entertainment system from Microsoft, PlayStation®3 computer entertainment system, Windows PC and iPhone®/iPod Touch®.

Winner of the prestigious Game Critics Awards: Best of E3 2009, Best Racing Game award from the Electronic Entertainment Expo (E3) 2009, Split/Second: Velocity is one of the most anticipated video games of 2010 with a highly successful demo on Xbox LIVE® online entertainment network (rated 4.5 stars out of 5 by users) and PlayStation®Network.

In Split/Second: Velocity, players don’t just race to the finish line to beat their opponents, they build up their power meter through deft driving and trigger “power plays,” explosive moments that take out opponents or alter the track. The game takes place within a hyper-competitive reality television show with city-sized sets rigged for destruction. Each track has numerous power plays that can be strategically triggered by skilled drivers. Competitors in Split/Second: Velocity don’t just collide with other vehicles to knock them from the track -- they can trigger blockbuster action film-like explosive events that drastically alter the dynamics of the race. Players must use strategy and pinpoint timing to derail opponents, tactically alter the track or create entirely new routes.

“With massive environments that players can dynamically change to take out opponents and alter the track, Split/Second: Velocity redefines the action racing genre and provides a whole new level of fun for all video game fans,” said Craig Relyea, senior vice president, global marketing, Disney Interactive Studios. “Black Rock Studio is among the world’s best game development studios and Split/Second: Velocity is an incredible entry in their impressive portfolio.”

As many as eight players can compete online in Split/Second: Velocity through Xbox LIVE, PlayStation Network and online on Windows PC. Also, two players can race against each other on the same system in the same room through split-screen features.

Black Rock Studio pioneered the innovative heads up display (HUD) affixed to the back of the player’s vehicle. The Split/Second: Velocity HUD showcases the player’s relevant information (place, lap number, etc.) on the back bumper of the car, the area of the screen where players primarily focus during racing games.

“When we were early in development on the concept, we expected racing fans throughout the world to be passionate about Split/Second: Velocity but the feedback since we announced the game has far exceeded our expectations,” said Nick Baynes, game director, Black Rock Studio. “We wanted to create something really fun that had never been done before in the racing genre and Split/Second: Velocity accomplishes that.”

Black Rock Studio has an impressive heritage in the racing video game genre. The studio became the first developer to win consecutive Game Critics Awards: Best of E3 in the racing category with two different franchises after having won with PURE in 2008 and Split/Second in 2009.

The Split/Second: Velocity app for iPhone/iPod Touch, available via iTunes, was conceived and designed with help from Black Rock Studio. The game mirrors the console version and features diverse locations, including the airport, downtown, ports and power plant. A Black Rock Studio-designed entertainment district also appears exclusively in the app. The game includes 19 vehicles to select and a six-person network multiplayer over Wi-Fi and locally through Bluetooth.

Split/Second: Velocity is rated 7 (PEGI) and 12 (USK) and will be available across Europe beginning on May 20.

For more information about Split/Second, go to http://www.splitsecondvideogame.com/.

About Black Rock Studio

Black Rock Studio, formerly Climax Racing, was established in 1999 and acquired by Disney Interactive Studios in 2006. Recognized as one of the industry’s leading racing studios, Black Rock Studio creates games for next-gen platforms using innovative proprietary technology. Located in Brighton, England, Black Rock Studio is the developer of the award-winning games, Split/Second; Velocity and PURE.

About Disney Interactive Studios

Disney Interactive Studios, part of Disney Interactive Media Group, is the interactive entertainment affiliate of The Walt Disney Company (NYSE: DIS). Disney Interactive Studios self publishes and distributes a broad portfolio of multi-platform video games, mobile games and interactive entertainment worldwide. The company also licenses properties and works directly with other interactive game publishers to bring products for all ages to market. Disney Interactive Studios is based in Glendale, California, and has internal development studios around the world. For more information, log on to http://www.disneyinteractivestudios.com.

About The Walt Disney Company in Europe Middle East and Africa:

The Walt Disney Company (TWDC) is a leading diversified international family entertainment and media enterprise with five business segments: media networks, parks and resorts, studio entertainment, consumer products and its interactive media group.

TWDC has had a presence in Europe Middle East and Africa (EMEA) for more than 70 years, operating in over twenty three countries with over 5,700 employees. Disneyland Paris opened in 1992 and is now Europe’s number one tourist destination. TWDC is a major film distributor in the region with recent successes such as ‘Up’ and ‘Princess & the Frog’ and is also one of Europe’s foremost suppliers of TV content, distributing Disney-branded and non-branded television including the hit series ‘Desperate Housewives’ which ranks in the top 10 US series on air in France, Germany, Italy and the UK with young adults. The Disney Channel originally launched in the UK in 1995 and in 2009 launched in an additional fifteen EMEA territories, making it available in over 58 million homes while Disney XD, the new boy-focused girl-inclusive channel has launched in thirteen territories in the region.

© Disney. Product names, release dates and features may be subject to change.

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