First-Time Partnership Between Companies Will Bring to Market Multiplatform Release Based on Cartoon Network Original Series in Fall 2011
Cartoon Network Enterprises and Activision Partner to Release Interactive Game Based on the Hit Television Series Generator Rex
Press Release from Turner Broadcasting Systems
First-Time Partnership Between Companies Will Bring to Market Multiplatform Release Based on Cartoon Network Original Series in Fall 2011
Cartoon Network Enterprises (CNE), the global licensing and merchandising arm of the television network, announced today that it has partnered with Activision Publishing, Inc., a leading worldwide developer, publisher and distributor of interactive entertainment and leisure products, to create the first-ever interactive title for the hit action-adventure series, Generator Rex. The untitled game will be based on the series that stars Rex, a 15-year-old super agent who has the ability to grow incredible mechanical weapons and vehicles from his own body, and is scheduled to be released in North America in fall 2011 for the Wii™, PlayStation®3 computer entertainment system, Xbox 360® video game and entertainment system from Microsoft, Nintendo DS™, and PSP® (PlayStation®Portable) system. This marks the first partnership between the two companies.
“Since its strong broadcast debut, Generator Rex continues to perform as a top-rated program on Cartoon Network and has both resonated with fans and shown great potential in the consumer products space,” said Christina Miller, senior vice president, CNE. “Together with Activision, we look forward to creating an interactive game that brings to life the action and fun of the series through an immersive, top-notch video game that allows fans to become Rex and operate his many weapons.”
“We are thrilled with the early success that Generator Rex is having on Cartoon Network and excited to begin development on what we think will be a must have video game in the fall of 2011,” said David Oxford at Activision. “Cartoon Network is a great company with great properties and we look forward to bringing the fans of Generator Rex a first-class gaming experience.”
Activision joins a roster of industry-leading launch partners for Generator Rex, which will debut in the spring with a full toy line from Mattel, Inc., the property’s global toy partner, that includes action figures, playsets, role-play items, and more, and will be available across all tiers of retail. Also next fall, a comprehensive line of party supplies featuring Generator Rex will be created by Hallmark, through a portfolio deal between the two companies. CNE will also release the inaugural title in the Generator Rex home entertainment franchise on October 19 from Warner Home Video, and DC Comics recently launched the first in a series of comic books based on the series.
The newest action-adventure original series from Cartoon Network, Generator Rex is created by Man of Action (creators of the Ben 10 franchise) and produced at Cartoon Network Studios in Burbank, CA. New episodes from the series’ first season currently debut on Cartoon Network on Fridays at 8:30 p.m. (ET/PT), with replays on Saturday mornings. The network has committed to at least 40 episodes of the series. The brand is also supported by a massive online machine that includes the Nanite Master game featured at CartoonNetwork.com that has had more than 6.9 million game plays since its launch in March (source: Omniture SiteCatalyst data), as well as a show page (www.generator-rex.com) and a Facebook fan page.
About Cartoon Network Enterprises:
Cartoon Network Enterprises (CNE) is responsible for building consumer products and merchandising programs for a wide range of brands by securing and supporting long-term licensing partnerships across all categories. As the global branding and merchandising arm of Cartoon Network and Adult Swim, the division manages the consumer product programs for the networks’ award-winning original programming, brands and characters including Ben 10, Generator Rex, Chowder, The Marvelous Misadventures of Flapjack, Adventure Time, Adult Swim and more. CNE also serves as a third party licensing agent through strategic partnerships with Nelvana Enterprises and Spin Master for the award-winning Bakugan brand and the PGA of America for the youth marketplace.
Cartoon Network (CartoonNetwork.com), currently seen in more than 97 million U.S. homes and 166 countries around the world, is Turner Broadcasting System, Inc.’s ad-supported cable service now available in HD offering the best in original, acquired and classic entertainment for youth and families. Nightly from 10 p.m. to 6 a.m. (ET, PT), Cartoon Network shares its channel space with Adult Swim, a late-night destination showcasing original and acquired animated and live-action series for young adults 18-34.
Turner Broadcasting System, Inc., a Time Warner company, creates and programs branded news, entertainment, animation and young adult media environments on television and other platforms for consumers around the world.
About Activision Publishing, Inc.
Headquartered in Santa Monica, California, Activision Publishing, Inc. is a leading worldwide developer, publisher and distributor of interactive entertainment and leisure products.
Activision Publishing maintains operations in the U.S., Canada, the United Kingdom, France, Germany, Ireland, Italy, Sweden, Spain, Norway, Denmark, the Netherlands, Australia, South Korea, China and the region of Taiwan. More information about Activision and its products can be found on the company’s website, www.activision.com.
Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-looking Statements: Information in this press release that involves Activision Publishing’s expectations, plans, intentions or strategies regarding the future are forward-looking statements that are not facts and involve a number of risks and uncertainties. Activision Publishing generally uses words such as “outlook,” “will,” “could,” “would,” “might,” “remains,” “to be,” “plans,” “believes,” “may,” “expects,” “intends,” “anticipates,” “estimate,” future,” “plan,” “positioned,” “potential,” “project,” “remain,” “scheduled,” “set to,” “subject to,” “upcoming” and similar expressions to identify forward-looking statements. Factors that could cause Activision Publishing’s actual future results to differ materially from those expressed in the forward-looking statements set forth in this release include, but are not limited to, sales levels of Activision Publishing’s titles, shifts in consumer spending trends, the impact of the current macroeconomic environment, the seasonal and cyclical nature of the interactive game market, Activision Publishing’s ability to predict consumer preferences among competing hardware platforms, declines in software pricing, product returns and price protection, product delays, retail acceptance of Activision Publishing’s products, adoption rate and availability of new hardware (including peripherals) and related software, industry competition including from used games and other forms of entertainment, litigation risks and associated costs, rapid changes in technology, industry standards, business models including online and used games, and consumer preferences, including interest in specific genres such as music, first-person action and massively multiplayer online games, protection of proprietary rights, maintenance of relationships with key personnel, customers, licensees, licensors, vendors, and third-party developers, including the ability to attract, retain and develop key personnel and developers that can create high quality “hit” titles, counterparty risks relating to customers, licensees, licensors and manufacturers, domestic and international economic, financial and political conditions and policies, foreign exchange rates and tax rates, and the identification of suitable future acquisition opportunities and potential challenges associated with geographic expansion, and the other factors identified in the risk factors sections of Activision Blizzard’s most recent annual report on Form 10-K and any subsequent quarterly reports on Form 10-Q. The forward-looking statements in this release are based upon information available to Activision Publishing and Activision Blizzard as of the date of this release, and neither Activision Publishing nor Activision Blizzard assumes any obligation to update any such forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements believed to be true when made may ultimately prove to be incorrect. These statements are not guarantees of the future performance of Activision Publishing or Activision Blizzard and are subject to risks, uncertainties and other factors, some of which are beyond its control and may cause actual results to differ materially from current expectations.
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