WonderPhone announces the release of its latest java game - CrashT Racing - featuring Vivendi Universal Games' Crash Bandicoot®
Press Release
Paris - November 25 14th, 2005 - WonderPhone today announces the release of its latest java game - CrashTM Racing - featuring Vivendi Universal Games' iconic marsupial Crash Bandicoot® in all new racing game for mobile phones.
Crash Racing is the third mobile game, following CrashTM Nitro Kart and CrashTM Twinsanity, released by WonderPhone that features Crash Bandicoot, one of the video game industry's most popular characters (over 35 million video games sold worldwide). That popularity has spilled over to the mobile platform as downloads for Crash Bandicoot mobile games have already exceeded the 1 million mark in Europe alone.
WonderPhone is pleased to further contribute to the Crash Bandicoot mobile franchise with this latest mobile game that furthermore accompanies the release of the video game 'Crash Tag Team Racing' from Vivendi Universal Games and from which the mobile game was inspired.
Crash Racing is the eighth Vivendi Universal mobile game to be distributed by WonderPhone since May 2004. The ensemble of these mobile games drawn from the Crash Bandicoot, Spyro the Dragon, Leisure Suit Larry, SWAT and Empire Earth franchises have succeed in achieving over 2 million downloads.
Crash Racing: After being humiliated yet again by Crash Bandicoot at the end of Twinsanity, Dr. Neo Cortex returns to his evil scheming in his dilapidated Iceberg Lair. He hatches a sinister plan to challenge Crash to a seemingly friendly race competition...with plans of crushing the hapless bandicoot under the ruins of the hazardous racetrack!
Based on the video game 'Crash Tag Team Racing', Crash Racing provides the unique opportunity to fuse two cars together on the fly to form a super vehicle outfitted with a turret gun to clear the road of all traffic!
Game Description:
- Unique 'fusion' feature allows player to equip vehicle with a heavy weapon to clear off the road! With unlimited ammunition and enhanced speed, this should be easy!
- 4 different vehicles - one for each of the 4 playable characters = 12 different fusion possibilities
- 3 environments: Egypt, Castles and Pirates
- 2 game modes: Tournament, Single Race
- 3D game versions for compatible next-gen handsets
- 9 different races to complete the Tournament mode
- Game save options
The current mobile games portfolio of Vivendi Universal Games / WonderPhone is today live across 70 operators in 40 countries.
The first Vivendi Universal Game licence released in the context of the alliance with WonderPhone was Crash Nitro KartTM in May 2004. This outstanding racing game has already achieved sales of over 750,000 downloads and top charting positions in seven territories. SpyroTM: Ripto Quest, an innovative adventure game, was released in September 2004.
Following Spyro, Leisure Suit LarryTM: Magna Cum Laude was released in November. Combining an innovative mix of rhythm based gameplay and sassy mini-games Larry went on to encounter record sales performances in several territories including being a historic best seller in the Nordic region and a number 1 chart topper in Spain and Germany.
CrashTM Twinsanity was released in November 2004 simultaneously with the Vivendi game of the same name. This first in genre platform game was chosen by Vodafone Global to be one of its 'hero games' for the end of 2004, and a specific 3D version of the game was developed to accompany the operator's commercial 3G launch. Crash Twinsanity went on to become a best selling game in many territories, even setting a historic download record for a month in France.
In the summer of 2005, Larry's Sexy Pinball and SWAT Force were released. SWAT Force went straight to a number 1 position in France - the first market where the product was distributed. Finally, Empire® Earth was released in September to critical acclaim (8/10 on Mobile Gamer Midlet Review).
Press contact:
press.games@wonderphone.com
Headquartered in Paris, Wonderphone is a leading provider of video and interactive entertainment for mobile phones. The video division of Wonderphone is the leading European provider of video bouquets for mobiles and has secured the exclusive rights for more than one million branded, original and alternative mobile-specific video clips. Wonderphone today runs 25 video channels and provides an end-to-end solution for publishing video for mobile. Wonderphone operates the video portals of several major European operators. The games division of Wonderphone distributes a portfolio of java blockbusters games. WonderPhone has signed an exclusive international master distribution deal with Vivendi Universal Games for mobile gaming.
WonderPhone has an extensive distribution network in place with major operators and Internet Download Service Providers including: Vodafone Global (33 countries), Telefonica, SFR, 3, T-Mobile International (5 countries), Orange Group (5 countries), O2, Amena, Optimus, Jamba!, Inpoc/Aspiro, MediaPlazza,Arvato, Overloaded, Sunset Wireless, ....
www.wonderphone.com
Headquartered in Los Angeles, Vivendi Universal Games is a global leader in multi-platform interactive entertainment. The company develops, publishes and distributes interactive products across all major platforms including PCs, video game consoles and the Internet. Vivendi Universal Games' portfolio of development studios and publishing labels includes Black Label Games, Blizzard Entertainment, Coktel, Fox Interactive, Knowledge Adventure and Sierra Entertainment. Additionally, Vivendi Universal Games co-publishes and/or distributes titles for a number of strategic partners, including Interplay, inXile entertainment, Majesco and Mythic Entertainment, among others. "Crash Nitro Kart" interactive game ® 2004 Vivendi Universal Games. Crash Bandicoot and related characters are ® and ® of Vivendi Universal Games. All Rights Reserved.
www.vugames.com