MICROSOFT
SIGNS EXCLUSIVE LICENSING DEAL WITH WARNER BROS.
TO CREATE MICROSOFT GAMES FRANCHISE FOR 'A.I.'
MOVIE
Xbox and PC Games
to Serve as Interactive Sequels to Steven
Spielberg's Summer Feature
Today in advance
of the Electronic Entertainment Expo (E3) 2001,
Microsoft Corp. announced an exclusive licensing
agreement with Warner Bros. to develop and
publish games for the Microsoft® Xbox(TM) video
game system and the PC based on Steven
Spielberg's highly anticipated
movie, "A.I." Considered to be
interactive sequels to the "A.I.''
movie, three action-packed adventure games will
be published by Microsoft for Xbox, two of which
are slated for release this fall with the
console's launch in North America on Nov.
8. "'A.I.' Puzzler'' for the PC will be
available in summer 2001.
"I wanted
the games that will be inspired by 'A.I.' to be
creative and groundbreaking,'' said
Spielberg. "Microsoft really
understands the 'A.I.' concept and presented me
with a series of games scenarios that were out of
this world.''
"It is an honor for Microsoft to work with
the creative genius Steven Spielberg and help
bring his newest entertainment project to life,''
said Robbie Bach, senior vice president and chief
Xbox officer for Microsoft. "'A.I.' is
a futuristic story that pairs perfectly with the
future-generation gaming experience of Xbox and
the continual innovation of the PC. We will
create engaging gameplay experiences to extend
the compelling spirit and storyline of 'A.I.'''
Slated for release on June 29, "A.I.,''
which stands for "artificial
intelligence,'' is written, directed and produced
by Spielberg. Featuring an all-star cast that
includes Haley Joel Osment and Jude
Law, "A.I.'' is a movie shrouded in
secrecy. To help preserve the film's secrets, the
titles and genres of the Xbox games will not be
unveiled until the movie is released. The games
will be high-action interactive sequels to
the "A.I.'' movie with a new story that
unifies all three titles.
"'A.I.' Puzzler'' for the PC translates the
story of "A.I.'' into a collection of
more than 130 innovative puzzles designed by
Alexei Pajinov, the creator
of "Tetris'' and "Pandora's
Box.'' Players journey through
the "A.I.'' movie as behind-the-scenes
extras are unveiled when puzzles are conquered.
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