Vivendi Universal Announces VU Games' Acquisition Of Radical Entertainment
PARIS and LOS ANGELES - March 23, 2005 - Vivendi Universal (Paris Bourse: EX FP, NYSE: V) today announced that VU Games has completed the purchase of leading independent console developer, Radical Entertainment. Under the agreement, VU Games will retain Radical's team of more than 200 development professionals, as well as acquire the studio's exclusive game development technologies. Radical's founder Ian Wilkinson has been named President, Radical Entertainment, and the studio will remain in Vancouver, Canada. Financial terms of the transaction were not disclosed.
"The purchase of Radical Entertainment reinforces our commitment to strengthening VU Games' creative talent and internal console development capabilities," said Bruce Hack, CEO of VU Games. "Radical's focus will remain on entertainment-based console games for current and next generation platforms."
Radical is best known for developing critically acclaimed and commercially successful releases such as: The Simpsons: Hit & Run, which sold more than 3.5 million retail units worldwide; The Hulk, which sold more than 2 million retail units worldwide; and The Simpsons Road Rage, which sold 3 million retail units worldwide. Currently, the studio is developing several multi-platform titles for VU Games launching in 2005, including Scarface, Crash Tag Team Racing and The Incredible Hulk: Ultimate Destruction.
"We've had tremendous success working with VU Games over the past few years, and we believe our integration will be extremely positive for the future of Radical," said Ian Wilkinson, President, Radical Entertainment. "VU Games recognizes and values our unique and creative work environment, as well as our commitment to developing top-selling entertainment products. We are excited to be part of VU Games' global development team."
Radical Entertainment
Radical Entertainment is one of North America's largest game developers. With more than a decade of hit titles like The Simpsons: Hit & Run, The Hulk, and soon to be released Scarface, the studio's commitment to partners and players continues to set Radical apart. The studio treats each property with the reverence it deserves and gamers demand. Radical brings the talent, tools and technology together to create entertainment that captures the world's imagination.
Vivendi Universal Games (VU Games)
Vivendi Universal Games (www.vugames.com) is a global developer, publisher and distributor of multi-platform interactive entertainment. The company is a leader in the subscription-based massively multi-player online (MMO) games category, and also holds leading positions in the PC, console and handheld games markets. Its development studios and publishing labels include Blizzard Entertainment, Radical Entertainment, Sierra Entertainment and Massive Entertainment. VU Games' library of over 700 titles features owned intellectual properties including Warcraft, StarCraft, Diablo and World of Warcraft from Blizzard; Crash Bandicoot, Spyro The Dragon, Empire Earth, Leisure Suit Larry, Ground Control and Tribes. VU Games also maintains strategic relationships with industry leading content partners, including NBC Universal and Twentieth Century Fox.
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