Press Release: Infogrames Unleashes the Tasmanian Devil on Next-Generation Console Systems as Taz™: Wanted Ships To Retail
From Video Game Morgue File
INFOGRAMES UNLEASHES THE TASMANIAN DEVIL ON NEXT-GENERATION CONSOLE SYSTEMS AS TAZ™: WANTED SHIPS TO RETAIL
BEVERLY, Mass., Sept. 18 -- Taz the Tasmanian Devil is on the loose again as Taz: Wanted™ for the PlayStation®2 computer entertainment system, the Xbox™ video game system from Microsoft and Windows® PCs ships to retail today from Infogrames, Inc. (Nasdaq: IFGM). A version for the Nintendo GameCube™ video game system will follow in October. "Taz's wild personality is tearing into the world of video games in an exciting format thanks to the power of the current video game systems," said Nancy MacIntyre, vice president of marketing for Infogrames' Beverly label. "Playing Taz: Wanted makes gamers feel as if they are actually participating in a Looney Tunes™ cartoon. The graphics, sound and smooth controller interface combine to bring Taz to life and immerse players in his world." In Taz: Wanted, Taz must break out of the Sam Francisco Zoo after being captured by Yosemite Sam™ - President of ACME™ Corporation. He must then make his way to Tasmania in order to rescue the She-Devil™ and save his beloved home, while avoiding Sam's "Taz catchers" and destroying all of the 'Taz Wanted' posters that he can find. "We're extremely proud of the way Taz: Wanted's gameplay aspects turned out," said Steve Arthur, director of brand management for Infogrames. "The PlayStation 2 version has already received a 98 percent "Platinum" rating from PSE2 magazine. We believe gamers will agree and find the gameplay outstanding once they get to play Taz: Wanted." The four large worlds, each with three challenging, hazard-filled levels in Taz: Wanted feature a free-roaming architecture which allows Taz to explore, investigate or destroy the landscape in almost any way that the player chooses to. Stunning graphics and blinding speed combine with puzzles and interactive environments to allow players totally destructive gameplay as Taz evades the "Taz catchers" with more than 10 outrageous disguises. The game also includes a multitude of ACME items and power-ups throughout the worlds that provide Taz with plenty of special energy to help him on his quest. The Taz: Wanted game was developed for Infogrames by Blitz Games, Inc., is rated "E" for Everyone, and carries an approximate retail price of $29.99 on PlayStation 2 and Xbox, $19.99 on PC and $39.99 on GameCube. About Infogrames New York-based Infogrames, Inc. (Nasdaq: IFGM) is one of the largest third-party publishers of interactive entertainment software in the U.S. The Company develops video games for all consoles (Sony Computer Entertainment of America, Nintendo and Microsoft), PCs, and Macintosh systems. Infogrames' catalogue of more than 1,000 titles includes award-winning franchises such as Civilization®, Backyard Sports™, Deer Hunter®, Driver™, RollerCoaster Tycoon®, and Test Drive®, and key licenses including Warner Bros. The Matrix®, Warner Bros. Looney Tunes™, Nickelodeon's Blue's Clues®, Dragon Ball Z®, Unreal®, Mission Impossible®, Terminator®, Harley-Davidson®, Major League Baseball®, and the National Football League®, among many others. The Company's Humongous Entertainment and MacSoft labels are leaders in children's and Macintosh entertainment software, respectively. Infogrames, Inc. is a majority-owned subsidiary of France-based Infogrames Entertainment SA (IESA) (Euronext 5257), a global publisher and distributor of video games for all platforms. In 2001, IESA acquired Infogrames Interactive, Inc. (formerly Hasbro Interactive), including rights to use its line of software based on well-known licenses such as MONOPOLY, Jeopardy®, TONKA, and Atari®, which are published and distributed in the U.S. by Infogrames, Inc. For more information, visit the Company's Web site at www.infogrames.com. Xbox is a trademark of Microsoft Corporation in the United States and/or other countries. Nintendo, Nintendo GameCube, Nintendo Game Boy Advance and the official seal are trademarks of Nintendo. (C) 2001 Nintendo. All Rights Reserved. "PlayStation" and the "PS" Family logo are registered trademarks of Sony Computer Entertainment Inc. Windows® and Windows 98, ME, 2000 and XP are registered trademarks of Microsoft Corporation. LOONEY TUNES, characters, names and all related indicia are trademarks of and (C) Warner Bros.(s02) All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners.
