Sony Pictures
Consumer Products and Encore Software Inc. to
Publish ``Jackie Chan Adventures'' On PlayStation
2 and Xbox
Sony Pictures
Consumer Products and Encore Software Inc. today
announced that they have signed an exclusive,
worldwide agreement to develop, market, promote
and distribute "Jackie Chan
Adventures"(TM) on the Sony PlayStation(R) 2
and Microsoft Xbox(TM).
The
games will draw from the successful animated
series airing on Kids' WB! that pairs Jackie with
his niece Jade as they protect the world from
evil forces.
"We're
so excited to partner with Encore Software on
video games based on the highly successful
'Jackie Chan Adventures' franchise," said Al
Ovadia, executive vice president, Sony Pictures
Consumer Products. "'Jackie Chan Adventures'
is a tremendously popular property with kids, and
one that is ready to explode at retail this fall
with over 20 key licensees in a broad range of
categories worldwide."
Added
Michael Bell, CEO and chairman of Encore
Software, "The 'Jackie Chan Adventures'
videogames will combine Jackie Chan's star power,
amazing athleticism and unique humor with a great
cast of characters and compelling storylines.
These attributes -- which make the Sony Pictures
Family Entertainment animated series so popular
-- lend themselves perfectly to the gameplay and
excitement of the PlayStation and next-generation
systems."
At
the debut on Kids' WB! of "Jackie Chan
Adventures," it was named the highest rated
new show among 2 to 11 year olds (source: Summit
Media Group Small Screen). Currently, the
animated series airs on Saturday mornings, and
will air daily in the after-school time slot
starting this fall. A total of 52 episodes have
been contracted for development.
The
show has consistently held the top position since
its debut in its time slot for boys ages 6 to 11.
And, out of all Saturday morning shows for the
same demographics, "Jackie Chan
Adventures" ranks third. The series will
launch in over 20 countries around the world in
Europe, Southeast Asia, Russia, Canada, Australia
and New Zealand starting in fall 2001.
About
Sony Pictures Consumer Products
"Jackie Chan
Adventures" is a property of Sony Pictures
Consumer Products, based in Los Angeles, which
handles the merchandising and branding efforts
for some of the most recognized properties in
film and television. This includes theatrical
properties such as "Men in Black
2"(TM), "Stuart Little 2"(TM) and
"Spider-Man"(TM) through a limited
partnership with Marvel Enterprises Inc., as well
as television properties like "Phantom
Investigators"(TM), "Harold and the
Purple Crayon"(TM), "Jackie Chan
Adventures"(TM) and "Max
Steel"(TM).
SPSP is a division of
Sony Pictures Entertainment (SPE), whose global
operations encompass motion picture production
and distribution, television production and
distribution, worldwide channel investments, home
entertainment acquisition and distribution,
operation of studio facilities, development of
new entertainment products, services and
technologies, and distribution of filmed
entertainment in 67 countries.
About Sony Pictures
Family Entertainment
Sony Pictures Family
Entertainment Group produces traditional cel
animation, CGI and live-action properties for
television around the world.
The division is currently
producing "Jackie Chan Adventures,"
"Max Steel," "Men in Black: The
Series," and is distributing "Phantom
Investigators" for Kids' WB!; "Dragon
Tales," co-produced with Sesame Workshop, on
PBS' Ready to Learn block; "Harold and the
Purple Crayon" for HBO Family,
"Roughnecks: Starship Troopers
Chronicles," "Jamanji" and
"Extreme Ghostbusters" airing in
syndication; and the upcoming "Heavy
Gear." SPFE is also developing the animated
series "Stuart Little" for HBO Family,
and "Lenore," an original Internet
series with Sony Pictures Digital Entertainment
(SPDE).
About Encore Software
Inc.
Encore Software is a
leading interactive publisher in both the CD-ROM
and videogame markets. The company offers a broad
range of CD-ROM education, reference and casual
gaming software under such well-known brand names
as National Geographic, Kaplan, Advantage(TM) and
Vegas Fever(R). It is also the world's largest
publisher of software collections such as
"Fun & Skills Pack"(TM) and
"MegaHits." In videogames, the company
develops and publishes titles based on
best-selling properties including
"Zoboomafoo"(R) and "Jackie Chan
Adventures"(TM). These titles are sold in
over 35,000 stores nationwide, and in many
international markets.
Encore Software is the
nation's largest privately held consumer software
publisher, and among those recognized in Inc.
magazine's list of America's 500 fastest growing
private companies. For more information on the
company, visit www.encoresoftware.com.
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