THE BATTLE FOR THE ALLSPARK IGNITES ONLINE WITH THE LAUNCH OF TRANSFORMERS: THE GAME WEBSITE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Santa Monica, CA - April 27, 2007 - It's time to choose your side! The fight for earth is being waged online with the launch of The Battle for the AllSpark web game on the official TRANSFORMERS: The Game site from Activision, Inc. (Nasdaq: ATVI), under license from HPG, the licensing division of Hasbro, Inc. (NYSE:HAS). Starting tonight fans can log on to http://www.transformersgame.com to get the latest news and information on the highly anticipated game, as well as sign up as an AUTOBOTS or DECEPTICONS character and join forces with a global team vying for prizes, exclusive access to game information and control over Earth.
"The TRANSFORMERS: The Game website gives fans a unique and interactive way to experience the TRANSFORMERS universe," said Will Kassoy, senior vice president of global brand management, Activision, Inc. "Fans will become part of a global community where they can join forces with other players, chat live with TRANSFORMERS fans, as well as watch and engage in battles to capture power of the AllSpark."
The Battle for the AllSpark is a worldwide online multiplayer experience that allows fans to play on the AUTOBOTS or DECEPTICONS team to face off in real time challenges that pit one side against the other in a struggle to take over the world. Players contend in one-on-one skirmishes that continually earn points for themselves and their team. Each week, individuals with the highest scores will be rewarded with a variety of prizes, while the side with the largest score takes control of the AllSpark and is granted exclusive access to special sections of the site.
Based on TRANSFORMERS, the upcoming live-action feature film due out on July 4th from DreamWorks Pictures and Paramount Pictures, in association with Hasbro, TRANSFORMERS: The Game lets players choose to protect the Earth as AUTOBOTS or destroy it as DECEPTICONS. Playing as OPTIMUS PRIME, BUMBLEBEE, MEGATRON, BARRICADE and other characters, gamers will experience the unstoppable power and massive scale of their favorite ROBOTS IN DISGUISE as they battle for Earth.
TRANSFORMERS: The Game is in development by Traveller's Tales for Xbox 360 video game and entertainment systems from Microsoft, PLAYSTATION®3 computer entertainment system, Wii, PlayStation®2 computer entertainment system and PC, and is rated "T" (Teen - Violence) by the ESRB. A PSP® (PlayStation®Portable) system version is being developed by Savage Entertainment and is currently rated RP (Rating Pending) by the ESRB. Two unique games for Nintendo DS, TRANSFORMERS: AUTOBOTS and TRANSFORMERS: DECEPTICONS, are being developed by Vicarious Visions, and are rated "E 10+" (Everyone 10 and older - Violence) by the ESRB.
About HPG
HPG, the licensing division of Hasbro, Inc. (NYSE:HAS), translates one of the industry's richest portfolios of brands into a world of fun and excitement for children and adults globally. Through a host of publishing, digital media, lifestyle and entertainment platforms, HPG is able to surround fans worldwide with consumer products that expand Hasbro's core brands, such as TRANSFORMERS, LITTLEST PET SHOP, MY LITTLE PONY, MONOPOLY, G.I. JOE, TONKA and PLAYSKOOL.
About HASBRO
Hasbro (NYSE: HAS) is a worldwide leader in children's and family leisure time entertainment products and services, including the design, manufacture and marketing of games and toys ranging from traditional to high-tech. Both internationally and in the U.S., its PLAYSKOOL, TONKA, MILTON BRADLEY, PARKER BROTHERS, TIGER and WIZARDS OF THE COAST brands and products provide the highest quality and most recognizable play experiences in the world.
About Activision, Inc.
Headquartered in Santa Monica, California, Activision, Inc. is a leading worldwide developer, publisher and distributor of interactive entertainment and leisure products. Founded in 1979, Activision posted net revenues of $1.47 billion for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2006.
Activision maintains operations in the U.S., Canada, the United Kingdom, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, Australia, Scandinavia, Spain, the Netherlands and South Korea. 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.
Cautionary Notes Regarding Forward-Looking Statements: 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, the findings of the special sub-committee, the effect of the special sub-committee's review and conclusions on, and other developments in, the informal inquiry opened by the SEC in July 2006 and the derivative litigation filed in July 2006 against certain current and former directors and officers of the company, the possibility that additional claims and proceedings will be commenced, including additional stockholder litigation, employee litigation, and additional actions by the SEC and/or other regulatory agencies, and direct and indirect expenses and diversion of management time resulting from or relating to the special sub-committee review and related regulatory proceedings and litigation, the company's ability to timely file required reports with the SEC, and the possibility that the company will be subject to delisting from The Nasdaq Stock Market due to its inability to timely file periodic reports under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 or failure to satisfy other requirements for continued listing. Other factors that could cause Activision's actual future results to differ materially from those expressed in the forward-looking statements set forth in this release include, without limitation, other litigation (unrelated to stock option granting practices), sales of the company's titles, shifts consumer spending trends, the seasonal and cyclical nature of the interactive game market, the company's ability to predict consumer preferences among competing hardware platforms (including next-generation hardware), declines in software pricing, product returns and price protection, product delays, retail acceptance of the company's products, adoption rate of new hardware and related software, 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, natural disasters, integration of recently acquired subsidiaries, and identification of suitable future acquisition opportunities. These important factors and other factors that potentially could cause actual future results to differ materially from current expectations are described in our filings with the SEC, including the company's most recent annual report on Form 10-K, quarterly report on Form 10-Q and current reports on Form 8-K. Readers of this press release are referred to such filings. The forward-looking statements in this press release are based upon information available to the company as of the date of the release, and the company assumes no obligations to update any such forward-looking statement. The company may change its intention, belief or expectation, at any time and without notice, based upon any changes in the enumerated factors or in the company's assumptions, or otherwise, and forward-looking statements believed to be true when made may ultimately prove to be incorrect. These statements are not guarantees of future performance and are subject to risks, uncertainties and other factors, some of which are beyond the company's control and may cause our actual results to differ materially from our current expectations.
Oliver Gubba
+49 6145 545 155
Oliver@step-3.com