Ubisoft announced that the OPEN SEASON videogame, based on Sony Pictures Animation's first feature-length 3D-animated movie (opening Sept. 29), will ship mid-September on all available videogame platforms. Developed by Ubisoft's award-winning Montreal studio, OPEN SEASON will allow gamers to relive the humor and adventure of the movie by creating a fun and immersive interactive world that conveys the same comedic storyline, zany characters and artistic images projected in the animated film.
"We have been working hand-in-hand with Ubisoft's team to create a game that captures all the fun of OPEN SEASON," said Mark Caplan, exec director, interactive at Sony Pictures Consumer Products. "Sony Pictures' leadership in digital entertainment coupled with Ubisoft's award-winning development team is a great partnership that brings innovation to both the film and videogame businesses."
"Ubisoft is thrilled to be collaborating with the movie production team of OPEN SEASON to bring the humorous adventures of Boog and Elliot to the interactive world," said Tony Key, vp of marketing at Ubisoft. "Ubisoft is committed to making the best movie-based video games in the industry. We do this by partnering closely with our licensing partners and movie makers to create an experience that remains true to the spirit of the film but expands it far beyond the theater."
In Columbia Pictures' OPEN SEASON, Boog (Martin Lawrence), a grizzly bear with no survival skills, has his perfect world in the tranquil town of Timberline turned upside-down when he meets Elliot (Ashton Kutcher), a scrawny, fast-talking wild mule deer. OPEN SEASON is based on the humor of cartoonist Steve Moore (IN THE BLEACHERS), who also serves as exec producer with John Carls. OPEN SEASON is directed by Roger Allers (director of THE LION KING) and Jill Culton (credits include MONSTERS, INC., and TOY STORY 2). The co-director is Anthony Stacchi (credits include ANTZ). The producer is Michelle Murdocca (credits include STUART LITTLE and STUART LITTLE 2).
The OPEN SEASON videogame will allow player to relive the movie experience by playing as Boog and Elliot. Game features include:
* Interaction with Beth, Shaw and all of the animal favorites from the OPEN SEASON movie.* Throwing skunk bombs, hurling rabbits, using acorn-firing squirrels and pulling outrageous woodland pranks to scare the pants off the hunters.* Rolling in a giant snowball, riding the rapids on a floating outhouse, zipping through tunnels in a crazy mine cart ride and taking on more madcap adventures as Boog discovers how to go from mild to wild.* Ability to challenge friends or team up in hilarious four-player mini-games.
Sony Pictures Animation is a division of Sony Pictures Digital. Under the leadership of execs Sandra Rabins and Penney Finkelman Cox, the division identifies and nurtures fresh voices and dynamic visions for the world of CG-animated features for Sony Pictures Entertainment.
Ubisoft (www.ubisoftgroup.com) is a leading producer, publisher and distributor of interactive entertainment products worldwide and has grown considerably through its strong and diversified lineup of products and partnerships. Ubisoft has offices in 21 countries and sales in more than 50 countries around the globe. Ubisoft generated revenue of 538 million Euros for the 2004-2005 fiscal year, an increase of 8% over the previous fiscal year at constant exchange rates.
Bill Desowitz, former editor of VFXWorld, is currently the Crafts Editor of IndieWire.
