Electronic Arts Signs Exclusive WCW License
SAN MATEO, CALIF. (March 11) ENTERTAINMENT WIRE - March 11, 1998 -
Electronic Arts(TM), the leading independent interactive entertainment
software company, today announced it has signed an exclusive licensing
agreement with World Championship Wrestling Inc. (WCW) for the worldwide
interactive rights to develop and distribute computer and video games based
on the organization's wrestlers. Electronic Arts (EA) plans to ship its
first title under the five-year agreement in mid-calendar 1999. Financial
terms of the deal were not released.
The license gives Electronic Arts exclusive use of more the 100 WCW and New
World Order (NWO) wrestlers, such as "Hollywood" Hulk Hogan, Kevin Nash and
Scott Hall of the NWO and Sting, "Macho Man" Randy Savage and Lex Luger of
the WCW. It also permits the use of WCW announcers and other talent. WCW
stars will be motion captured in EA's British Columbia studio and artfully
rendered into the game, bringing the full richness, color and action of the
sport to computer and video games players.
"World Championship Wrestling is a huge spectator sport that is growing at
an amazing rate," said Larry Probst, Electronic Arts Chairman and CEO.
"Over the past two years, WCW has established the preeminent brand in
wrestling entertainment, typically garnering audiences of 32 million
viewers per week. We believe that our world-class creative organization can
successfully translate the passion that fans feel for the WCW into best-
selling products for both video game consoles and PCs."
World Championship Wrestling is the highest rated program on basic cable
television in the U.S. In addition, WCW matches are shown in more than 50
countries worldwide through TNT network television. "The partnering of
Electronic Arts with World Championship Wrestling is an incredible
opportunity," said Nick Lambros, executive vice president of World
Championship Wrestling. "EA and WCW are the best in their respective fields
and should be able to create highly innovative and successful games for
release in 1999 and beyond. We look forward to partnering with EA on this
mutually beneficial relationship."
From STreport 1411
... Water + Malt + Hops + Yeast = Satisfaction
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