Universal Pictures and Gameloft to Bring 'American Gangster' to Mobile Gamers
Gameloft to Develop Mobile Game based on '70's New York Crime Drama
NEW YORK - Gameloft, a leading developer and publisher of mobile games, announced today a worldwide licensing agreement with Universal Pictures Digital Platforms Group to produce American Gangster: The Mobile Game based on Universal Pictures' upcoming crime drama, American Gangster. An Imagine Entertainment production starring Academy Award® winning actors Denzel Washington and Russell Crowe, the film will be released November 2, 2007 in the United States. American Gangster is produced by Academy Award®-winning producer Brian Grazer, and produced and directed by Ridley Scott.
Set in the Harlem of the 70's, American Gangster: The Mobile Game takes players deep into the film's vice-laden setting as players either work their way up the ladder of the underworld as Frank Lucas or try to take down the crime empire as outcast cop, Richie Roberts.
No matter which path players take, Gameloft's American Gangster: The Mobile Game promises the same high-paced action and thrills that will be the hallmarks of this film. Across 40 missions, players are able to play both crime lord, Lucas, and good cop, Roberts. Missions include setting up a weapons trade, eliminating enemy bosses and taking on a snitch in Lucas' gang. But it ultimately comes down to firepower and influence, and only the player who has the most of both will survive.
"With their intriguing storylines, identifiable characters and intense action, crime dramas are an ideal backdrop for mobile games," said Michel Guillemot, president, Gameloft. "We plan to work closely with Universal Pictures to deliver a powerful action title that is both a solid extension of the film's storyline, as well as a memorable and quality mobile game experience."
"Gameloft's focus on quality makes them a perfect partner for this film," said Jeremy Laws, Senior Vice President of Universal Mobile Entertainment. "American Gangster: The Mobile Game is the perfect mobile complement to this powerful film."
American Gangster: The Mobile Game is available now through most U.S. carriers.
About Gameloft
Gameloft is a leading international publisher and developer of video games for mobile phones. Established in 1999, it has emerged as one of the top innovators in its field. The company creates games for mobile handsets equipped with Java, Brew or Symbian technology. The total number of games-enabled handsets is anticipated to exceed two billion units in 2008.
Partnership agreements with leading licensors and sports personalities such as Ubisoft Entertainment, Universal Pictures, Dreamworks Animations SKG, Endemol, 20th Century Fox, Viacom, Sony Pictures, Warner Bros., FifPro, Lamborghini, Vans, Paris Hilton, Derek Jeter, Vijay Singh, Reggie Bush or Llewton Hewitt allow Gameloft to form strong relationships with international brands. In addition to the partnerships, Gameloft owns and operates titles such as Block Breaker Deluxe, Asphalt: Urban GT and New York Nights.
Through agreements with major telephone wireless carriers, handset manufacturers, specialized distributors and its online shop, Gameloft has a distribution network in over 75 plus countries.
Gameloft has worldwide offices in New York, San Francisco, Seattle, Montreal, Mexico, Buenos Aires, Paris, London, Cologne, Milan, Madrid, Copenhagen, Warsaw, New Delhi, Seoul, Beijing, Hong Kong, Tokyo and Sydney. Gameloft is listed on Euronext Paris (ISIN: FR0000079600, Bloomberg: GFT FP, Reuters: GLFT.PA)
For more information visit www.gameloft.com.
About Universal Pictures Digital Platforms Group
Universal Pictures Digital Platforms (UPDPG) is responsible for global digital product development, production, licensing, distribution, and growth strategy for the extensive catalogue of Universal's properties across new and emerging digital platforms, including mobile, video game consoles, personal computers, and other portable devices. With a worldwide mandate to help shape the digital future of Universal Pictures, the Group has offices in Universal City, California; London, England; and Tokyo, Japan.
Universal Pictures Digital Platforms Group is a unit of Universal Studios Home Entertainment and Universal Pictures. Universal Pictures is a division of NBC Universal, one of the world's leading media and entertainment companies in the development, production, and marketing of entertainment, news, and information to a global audience. Formed in May 2004 through the combining of NBC and Vivendi Universal Entertainment, NBC Universal owns and operates a valuable portfolio of news and entertainment networks, a premier motion picture company, significant television production operations, a leading television stations group, and world-renowned theme parks. NBC Universal is 80% owned by General Electric and 20% owned by Vivendi.