THE WARDROBE AWAITS - EXPLORE AND BATTLE IN AN EPIC VIDEO GAME ADVENTURE TO FREE THE LAND OF NARNIA
Buena Vista Games Ships the Highly Anticipated Multiplatform Video Game The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe to Retail Outlets in PAL Territories
The quest to save the enchanted land of Narnia has begun. Buena Vista Games, Inc. (BVG), the interactive entertainment arm of The Walt Disney Company (NYSE: DIS), brings gamers and Narnia fans an unforgettable adventure with video games inspired by Walt Disney Pictures and Walden Media's epic feature film, "The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe," scheduled to release in cinema's December 9. The video games are now available at retail outlets in PAL territories for the PlayStation®2 computer entertainment system, Nintendo DSTM, Game Boy AdvanceTM system and PC, Buena Vista Games announced today. Players are thrust into a mysterious frozen world where they will play as four heroes -- Peter, Edmund, Susan and Lucy Pevensie -- to free Narnia from a cold, bleak eternity under the control of the evil White Witch.
"The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe video games beautifully translate the film into an epic interactive experience," said Andrew Adamson, film director. "They demonstrate the importance of having a film team that is involved in the production of the video games inspired by that film. Players will truly feel as if they have walked through the wardrobe doors and into Narnia, where they can control the destiny of the characters."
The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe video games take the classic story from the renowned book from C.S. Lewis to new heights by bringing the cinematic experience to life in a stunning interactive adventure. Playing as each of the four Pevensie heroes, gamers will battle the White Witch's sinister minions in team-based, action-packed combat. Taking on a variety of creatures including Minoboars, Cyclopes, Werewolves and Ankleslicers, gamers must utilise each hero's unique combat skills, weaponry and special moves to defeat hoards of enemies, solve elaborate puzzles and advance towards restoring Narnia.
"'The Chronicles of Narnia' is one of The Walt Disney Company's most highly-anticipated ventures this year," said Graham Hopper, senior vice president and general manager, Buena Vista Games. "The Narnia video game represents collaboration between film making and game development at its best. The game immerses players into the land of Narnia and lets them experience an extensive adventure beyond the epic film."
Sean Ratcliffe, European Director of Marketing, BVG added "The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe marks our first step as a publisher in creating an interactive entertainment franchise. BVG is bringing a truly wonderful and compelling game experience to the mass-market this Christmas with an integrated pan-European marketing campaign and fits perfectly with our broadening portfolio of properties targeted at a range of different gamers."
The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe for PlayStation 2 and PC is developed by Traveller's Tales and is rated PG. The Nintendo DS and Game Boy Advance versions are developed by Amaze Entertainment. The Nintendo DS version has a rating of 7+. The Game Boy Advance version is rated 7+.
About The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe video games
The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe video games uniquely convey the classic story. The console and PC versions are action/adventure games featuring 15 levels of combat and puzzle solving game play. The game also features seamless integration of film footage with game play and includes extensive use of voice talent from the film. Included are numerous unlockable bonus levels and features that reveal secrets about the making of the game. Also, the console and PC versions include a two-player co-op "drop in/drop out" feature in which a second player can easily join a single-player game already in progress.
The Nintendo DS version is an action/adventure game with role playing game features. The Nintendo DS game, which includes 60 maps, utilizes the Touch Screen for game play options, including managing inventory, conversing with allied creatures, casting spells and controlling one of four possible characters in real-time combat. A wireless multiplayer mode allows up to four people to play simultaneously.
The Game Boy Advance version is an action/adventure game that includes 17 levels of game play inspired by the film. Players earn role playing game-based Nobility power-ups to defeat the minions of the White Witch. The game includes a two-player linked or wireless multiplayer mode (accessories sold separately).
About The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe film
Walt Disney Pictures and Walden Media Present "The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe" is a spectacular live-action/CGI motion picture adaptation of C.S. Lewis' beloved literary classic. The film marks the first live-action directorial effort for Andrew Adamson (director of the Oscar®-winning "Shrek" and "Shrek 2"), who also co-wrote the screenplay adaptation with Emmy Award-winner Anne Peacock (HBO's "A Lesson Before Dying") and scribes Christopher Markus and Stephen McFeely. The film is produced by Academy Award®-winning filmmaker Mark Johnson.
Lewis' timeless adventure follows the exploits of the four Pevensie siblings - Peter, Edmund, Susan and Lucy -- in World War II England. The children enter the world of Narnia through a magical wardrobe while playing a game of "hide-and-seek" in the rural country home of an elderly professor. Once there, the children discover a land inhabited by talking beasts, dwarfs, fauns, centaurs and giants that has become a world cursed to eternal winter by the evil White Witch, Jadis. Under the guidance of a noble and mystical ruler, the lion Aslan, the children fight to overcome the White Witch's powerful hold over Narnia in a spectacular, climactic battle that will free Narnia from Jadis' icy spell forever.
About Buena Vista Games
Buena Vista Games, Inc. (BVG) is the interactive entertainment arm of The Walt Disney Company. BVG publishes, markets and distributes a broad portfolio of multi-platform video games and interactive entertainment worldwide. The company also licenses properties and works directly with third-party interactive game publishers to bring products for all ages to market. For more information, please log on to www.buenavistagames.com.
About Walden Media
Founded by Cary Granat, former president of Miramax Films' Dimension label, and education reformer Micheal Flaherty, Walden Media, a subsidiary of AFG, specializes in entertainment that sparks the imagination and curiosity of kids and provides parents and teachers with materials to continue the learning process. In association with The Walt Disney Company, Walden Media is producing the first live-action feature film adaptations of C.S. Lewis' The Chronicles of Narnia, beginning with The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe.
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THE CHRONICLES OF NARNIA, NARNIA, and all book titles, characters and locales original thereto are trademarks of C.S. Lewis Pte Ltd. and are used with permission. ® DISNEY ENTERPRISES, INC. and WALDEN MEDIA, LLC. All rights reserved.