Vampyr
03-12-2004, 08:45 PM
LOS ANGELES, Calif. - March 11, 2004 - Vivendi Universal Games in
association with Tigon Studios is bringing gamers an intense sci-fi
experience from the point-of-view of the most wanted man in the Universe
with the new videogame, The Chronicles of Riddick: Escape From Butcher
Bay, which will be available on the Xbox* video game system from
Microsoft. Set before the events of both Universal Pictures' upcoming
summer release The Chronicles of Riddick, starring Vin Diesel, and the
2000 cult classic Pitch Black, which first introduced Diesel as
enigmatic anti-hero Riddick, the game tells the story of Riddick's
dramatic escape from the previously inescapable triple max security slam
Butcher Bay, home to the most violent prisoners in the galaxy.
The Chronicles Riddick: Escape From Butcher Bay will blend action and
stealth elements, as players navigate Riddick through the harsh
environments of the slam - dank tunnels, dimly lit corridors, and other
hazardous areas filled with guards, savage inmates and deadly creatures
that prowl the darkness. Developed by Starbreeze Studios, and published
by Vivendi Universal Games in association with Vin Diesel's Tigon
Studios, the game has been rated "M" by the ESRB and is expected to ship
in June 2004 at a suggested retail price of $49.95.
"The Chronicles of Riddick: Escape from Butcher Bay is an exciting new
chapter in the story of one of the most enigmatic and compelling
anti-heroes of this generation," said Luc Vanhal, president and chief
operating officer, North America, Vivendi Universal Games. "With
groundbreaking 3D technology, and a truly revolutionary game design that
fuses frenetic FPS action, stealth, and brutal hand-to-hand combat, this
title is on track to be one of the great games of 2004."
"This game is intense in every facet, from action game-play to
incredible graphics and chilling psychological moments," said Bill
Kispert, vice president, Interactive, Universal Studios Consumer
Products Group. "It is an integral experience in understanding the
ever-growing mythology of the Riddick universe."
"The Chronicles of Riddick: Escape from Butcher Bay features an original
storyline that provides insight into how Riddick evolved into such a
complex character," said Cos Lazouras, production executive, Tigon
Studios. "The game reveals secrets about Riddick's past as well as his
epic destiny to come."
In the game, Richard B. Riddick is an intergalactic convict who at the
game's start, finds himself captured by mercenaries and locked down in
the toughest prison in the galaxy. As this least likely of heroes,
players must draw on their character's brains and brutality and attempt
the unthinkable - escape from Butcher Bay. Played from a primarily
first-person perspective (with special third- person actions), players
will have to make maximum use of their environments to achieve their
escape, including using shadows, subterfuge and distractions to avoid
patrols. Moving and attacking in darkness is particularly effective for
Riddick as his haunting "eye shine" gives him the ability to see without
ambient light. However, stealth won't serve every situation and players
will be able to take the action up close and personal. As Riddick,
players will be able to sneak up behind enemies and snap necks or fight
face to face using fists, elbows and grapples. Additionally, players
will be able to capture weapons such as shanks, shotguns, or assault
rifles and use these to cut a swath of destruction through anyone who
gets in their way.
About The Chronicles of Riddick
Vin Diesel reprises his star-making Pitch Black role of enigmatic
anti-hero Richard B. Riddick in the new science fiction action-adventure
epic, The Chronicles of Riddick, opening June 11, 2004. From Universal
Pictures, in association with Radar Pictures and One Race Productions,
The Chronicles of Riddick stars Colm Feore, Alexa Davalos, Karl Urban,
Linus Roache, Thandie Newton and Dame Judi Dench.
Riddick has spent the last five years on the move among the forgotten
worlds on the outskirts of the galaxy, eluding mercenaries bent on
collecting the price on his head. Now, the fugitive finds himself on
planet Helion, home to a progressive multicultural society that has been
invaded by the Lord Marshal, a despot who targets humans for subjugation
with his army of warriors known as Necromongers.
Exiled to a subterranean prison where extremes of temperature range from
arctic nights to volcanic days, Riddick encounters Kyra, the lone
survivor from an earlier chapter in his life. His efforts to free
himself and Kyra lead him to the Necromonger command ship, where he is
pitted against the Lord Marshal in an apocalyptic battle with possibly
the fate of all beings-both living and dead-hanging in the balance.
Written and directed by David Twohy, The Chronicles of Riddick is
produced by Scott Kroopf and Vin Diesel. Ted Field, George Zakk and
David Womark serve as executive producers.
A Note to Parents: consult www.filmratings.com for information regarding
movie ratings in making viewing choices for children.
Riddick is licensed by Universal Studios Consumer Products Group
(USCPG), which is responsible for global licensing and retail strategies
as well as building brand recognition. USCPG is a unit of Universal
Pictures, a division of Vivendi UNIVERSAL Entertainment (VUE)
(www.universalstudios.com), the U.S.-based film, television and
recreation entity of Vivendi Universal, a global media and
communications company.
About Xbox
Xbox (http://www.xbox.com/) is Microsoft's future-generation video game
system that delivers the most powerful games experiences ever. Xbox
empowers game artists by giving them the technology to fulfill their
creative visions as never before, creating games that blur the lines
between fantasy and reality. Xbox is now available in the continents of
North America, Europe, Asia and Australia.
About Tigon Studios
Founded by Vin Diesel in 2002, Tigon Studios (www.tigonstudios.com) is a
game production company that strives to break new ground in interactive
entertainment by combining key film components with unique game play,
cutting edge technology and high production values. Tigon Studios will
develop original games as well as be actively involved in the
development process of video games based on motion pictures featuring
Vin Diesel as the lead actor.
About Vivendi Universal Games
Headquartered in Los Angeles, Vivendi Universal Games (www.vugames.com
<outbind://275/www.vugames.com> ) 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 Blizzard
Entertainment, Coktel, Fox Interactive, Knowledge Adventure, Massive
Entertainment 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.
Xbox is a registered trademark of Microsoft Corporation in the United
States and/or other countries.
...
association with Tigon Studios is bringing gamers an intense sci-fi
experience from the point-of-view of the most wanted man in the Universe
with the new videogame, The Chronicles of Riddick: Escape From Butcher
Bay, which will be available on the Xbox* video game system from
Microsoft. Set before the events of both Universal Pictures' upcoming
summer release The Chronicles of Riddick, starring Vin Diesel, and the
2000 cult classic Pitch Black, which first introduced Diesel as
enigmatic anti-hero Riddick, the game tells the story of Riddick's
dramatic escape from the previously inescapable triple max security slam
Butcher Bay, home to the most violent prisoners in the galaxy.
The Chronicles Riddick: Escape From Butcher Bay will blend action and
stealth elements, as players navigate Riddick through the harsh
environments of the slam - dank tunnels, dimly lit corridors, and other
hazardous areas filled with guards, savage inmates and deadly creatures
that prowl the darkness. Developed by Starbreeze Studios, and published
by Vivendi Universal Games in association with Vin Diesel's Tigon
Studios, the game has been rated "M" by the ESRB and is expected to ship
in June 2004 at a suggested retail price of $49.95.
"The Chronicles of Riddick: Escape from Butcher Bay is an exciting new
chapter in the story of one of the most enigmatic and compelling
anti-heroes of this generation," said Luc Vanhal, president and chief
operating officer, North America, Vivendi Universal Games. "With
groundbreaking 3D technology, and a truly revolutionary game design that
fuses frenetic FPS action, stealth, and brutal hand-to-hand combat, this
title is on track to be one of the great games of 2004."
"This game is intense in every facet, from action game-play to
incredible graphics and chilling psychological moments," said Bill
Kispert, vice president, Interactive, Universal Studios Consumer
Products Group. "It is an integral experience in understanding the
ever-growing mythology of the Riddick universe."
"The Chronicles of Riddick: Escape from Butcher Bay features an original
storyline that provides insight into how Riddick evolved into such a
complex character," said Cos Lazouras, production executive, Tigon
Studios. "The game reveals secrets about Riddick's past as well as his
epic destiny to come."
In the game, Richard B. Riddick is an intergalactic convict who at the
game's start, finds himself captured by mercenaries and locked down in
the toughest prison in the galaxy. As this least likely of heroes,
players must draw on their character's brains and brutality and attempt
the unthinkable - escape from Butcher Bay. Played from a primarily
first-person perspective (with special third- person actions), players
will have to make maximum use of their environments to achieve their
escape, including using shadows, subterfuge and distractions to avoid
patrols. Moving and attacking in darkness is particularly effective for
Riddick as his haunting "eye shine" gives him the ability to see without
ambient light. However, stealth won't serve every situation and players
will be able to take the action up close and personal. As Riddick,
players will be able to sneak up behind enemies and snap necks or fight
face to face using fists, elbows and grapples. Additionally, players
will be able to capture weapons such as shanks, shotguns, or assault
rifles and use these to cut a swath of destruction through anyone who
gets in their way.
About The Chronicles of Riddick
Vin Diesel reprises his star-making Pitch Black role of enigmatic
anti-hero Richard B. Riddick in the new science fiction action-adventure
epic, The Chronicles of Riddick, opening June 11, 2004. From Universal
Pictures, in association with Radar Pictures and One Race Productions,
The Chronicles of Riddick stars Colm Feore, Alexa Davalos, Karl Urban,
Linus Roache, Thandie Newton and Dame Judi Dench.
Riddick has spent the last five years on the move among the forgotten
worlds on the outskirts of the galaxy, eluding mercenaries bent on
collecting the price on his head. Now, the fugitive finds himself on
planet Helion, home to a progressive multicultural society that has been
invaded by the Lord Marshal, a despot who targets humans for subjugation
with his army of warriors known as Necromongers.
Exiled to a subterranean prison where extremes of temperature range from
arctic nights to volcanic days, Riddick encounters Kyra, the lone
survivor from an earlier chapter in his life. His efforts to free
himself and Kyra lead him to the Necromonger command ship, where he is
pitted against the Lord Marshal in an apocalyptic battle with possibly
the fate of all beings-both living and dead-hanging in the balance.
Written and directed by David Twohy, The Chronicles of Riddick is
produced by Scott Kroopf and Vin Diesel. Ted Field, George Zakk and
David Womark serve as executive producers.
A Note to Parents: consult www.filmratings.com for information regarding
movie ratings in making viewing choices for children.
Riddick is licensed by Universal Studios Consumer Products Group
(USCPG), which is responsible for global licensing and retail strategies
as well as building brand recognition. USCPG is a unit of Universal
Pictures, a division of Vivendi UNIVERSAL Entertainment (VUE)
(www.universalstudios.com), the U.S.-based film, television and
recreation entity of Vivendi Universal, a global media and
communications company.
About Xbox
Xbox (http://www.xbox.com/) is Microsoft's future-generation video game
system that delivers the most powerful games experiences ever. Xbox
empowers game artists by giving them the technology to fulfill their
creative visions as never before, creating games that blur the lines
between fantasy and reality. Xbox is now available in the continents of
North America, Europe, Asia and Australia.
About Tigon Studios
Founded by Vin Diesel in 2002, Tigon Studios (www.tigonstudios.com) is a
game production company that strives to break new ground in interactive
entertainment by combining key film components with unique game play,
cutting edge technology and high production values. Tigon Studios will
develop original games as well as be actively involved in the
development process of video games based on motion pictures featuring
Vin Diesel as the lead actor.
About Vivendi Universal Games
Headquartered in Los Angeles, Vivendi Universal Games (www.vugames.com
<outbind://275/www.vugames.com> ) 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 Blizzard
Entertainment, Coktel, Fox Interactive, Knowledge Adventure, Massive
Entertainment 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.
Xbox is a registered trademark of Microsoft Corporation in the United
States and/or other countries.
...