Samurai Swordplay and Hip Hop Mix It Up in 2006
September 28, 2005
[This unedited press release is made available courtesy of Game Developer and its partnership with notable game PR-related resource Games Press]
Author: Bandai Namco
CYPRESS, CA – September 20, 2005 – Bandai Games Inc. today announced "Samurai Champloo" for the PlayStation 2 computer entertainment system. Based on the hit television series running on Cartoon Network's wildly popular Adult Swim block, "Samurai Champloo" the video game introduces a truly innovative fighting system that unleashes samurai hack-and-slash combos hinged on the hip hop soundtrack of the gamers' choosing. With inimitable "TATE" and "Trance" fighting modes inspired from the dazzling style of the series, this unique combination of music and swordplay is scheduled to ship early 2006.
"Created by Shinichiro Watanabe, the director of the phenomenal ‘Cowboy Bebop’ and 'Macross Plus,' ‘Samurai Champloo’ the animated series is an unlikely and irreverent union of 19th century Japan and urban hip hop," said Yoshinobu Matsuo, co-producer at Bandai Games. "So we approached the combat action genre with Watanabe's aesthetics in mind. The stylish grooves are so integral to the fighting, samurai swordplay will never be the same again."
The hard-edged, hip-hop, pulse-pounding blend of wry humor, hardcore samurai action and lush animation of "Samurai Champloo" can also be seen in the multi-episodic series on DVD from Geneon Entertainment.
About "Samurai Champloo"
"Samurai Champloo" for the PlayStation 2 steps out of the hack-and-slash action genre and offers a new way to swing a finely-honed samurai blade. Set in Japan with hip hop feel from the hit TV series by the same name, this title allows gamers to breathe life to a "lost episode" as one of three playable characters – Mugen, a reckless samurai with break-dancing fighting style, calculated Jin who abides by the decorum of Bushido, and a mysterious new character exclusive to the video game. Stranded in northern land of Ezo (current day Hokkaido) in search of the samurai who smells of sunflowers, the player must face foreign mercenaries, master swordsmen, diabolical assassins, mythical beasts, and gangster monkeys.
The core of the game's unique combat system lies in the innovative integration of music and linked attacks. The players can choose an array of combos based on the different hip hop grooves that they can swap at will. Music tracks become collectible, opening an extensive assortment of linked attacks that can be implemented tactically during combat.
Two additional fighting modes accompany the music-combo combat system, the visually arresting "TATE" and "Trance." When the tension gauge (fueled by a series of successful combos) is filled, the gamer will enter
in "TATE" mode where the samurai is faced with a lone opponent artfully staged in front of a vibrant Japanese screen. After initiating a combination of buttons to stay in "TATE," the gamer can fulfill a hit meter to enter into "Trance." At this point, the background changes to silhouettes and an unrelenting number of enemies will attack the player. The player must survive and cut down opponents without taking a number of
hits until the music ends. If the player survives, he is rewarded with a new item or weapon. With these innovative modes, "Samurai Champloo" is an original action title that melds hip hop attitude with the lyricism
of the samurai warrior.
About Bandai Games Inc.
Bandai Games Inc. is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Bandai America Incorporated and a leading publisher of interactive entertainment software for popular videogame systems such as the PSP(TM) (PlayStation(R) Portable) system, PlayStation 2 computer entertainment system, the Xbox(R) video game system from Microsoft, the Nintendo DS(TM), Nintendo GameCube(TM), and the Game Boy(R) Advance. Unique characters and stimulating game experiences highlight Bandai Games Inc.'s distinctive product lineup which include hit titles such as Inuyasha and Digimon. Bandai Games Inc. is headquartered in Cypress, California. For more information and press downloads please visit: www.BandaiGames.com.
About Geneon Entertainment
A leading supplier of Japanese animation in North America, GENEON ENTERTAINMENT (USA) INC. (www.geneonanimation.com) is a full-service producer and distributor of entertainment content including film, music, animation and television shows on DVD and CD. Continually introducing new and classic anime and live-action programming, as well as anime CD soundtracks, the company also serves as a creative partner to many of Japan's top anime production companies. Additionally, Geneon Entertainment distributes critically acclaimed musical performances on DVD and CD from renowned artists. Headquartered in Long Beach, California, Geneon Entertainment's parent company is Tokyo-based advertising giant Dentsu Inc.
Dentsu Inc., founded in 1901, is the largest advertising agency brand and the fifth largest marketing and communications organization in the world. Based in Tokyo, Dentsu offers national, multinational and global
clients the most comprehensive range of advertising and marketing services through its unique "Total Communications Services" approach. Dentsu has pioneered and set global standards for integrated communications, which in latter years have been adopted by a number of major international networks. Dentsu's consolidated revenues for fiscal term 03/04 were recorded at $16.1 billion. Dentsu is publicly traded on the Tokyo Stock Exchange.
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