A COMPLETE UNIVERSE FOR ACTION
September 30, 2005
[This unedited press release is made available courtesy of Game Developer and its partnership with notable game PR-related resource Games Press]
Author: The Game Factory
Brabrand, Denmark - September 2005
THE GAME FACTORY today announced the signing of a worldwide licensing deal with MoonScoop, Europe's leading producer and distributor of animated series for television, to develop and publish CODE LYOKOTM for Nintendo DSTM. The game will be featuring elements from both the RPG and adventure genre and is scheduled for release by fall of 2006.
The deal has been signed through Kidz Entertainment, which has been appointed licensing agent for Scandinavia and Kidz Entertainment will work with MoonScoop, Game Factory and US licensing agent FUNimation to manage development of the game and provide strong marketing support.
The game will be based on the popular 3D animated action-adventure television series about a group of students who uncover a parallel universe called Lyoko inside a super-computer that is threatened by a virus that could destroy the universe. Four ordinary students, Jeremy, Odd, Ulrich and Yumi, must help a virtual humanoid creature named "Aelita" to stop rogue computer XANA's latest attack on their real world...
Nicolas Atlan, VP, Executive Producer of MoonScoop said: "It is has always been our intention to explore gaming opportunities for CODE LYOKOTM as we're confident that it's a property that can be a hit on this platform. We're delighted to be working with The Game Factory on this project."
Axel Dauchez, CEO of MoonScoop added: " We look forward to sign further licensees over the coming months through Kidz Entertainment, our partner in the region, and believe we have a great team in place for extending the CODE LYOKOTM brand throughout 2006."
The television series has been rated one of the best shows of all Cartoon Network series. In France CODE LYOKOTM is a key show on France 3 and it has been voted the best show by kids on Canal J. Additionally more the successful show has been acquired by several major television stations across Europe including Cartoon Network's channel Toonami in the UK and Cartoon Network Spain, Jetix Latin America, TVN in Chile, Canada's YTV and Radio Canada, the Disney Channel Italy, NRK in Norway, Morocco's 2M, Noga in Israel and distributor CFI in Africa as well as a number of deals signed with distributors across India and the Middle East.
Intensive TV broadcasting in 2005 and 2006 is being supported by a broad range of licensing products within toys, apparel, stationary, school bags. FUNimation Entertainment is exclusive licensing agent in the US targeting partners in all major categories and Marvel Toys holds the worldwide master toy license.
Kidz Entertainment is in discussions with a number of other potential licensees in the Scandinavian region. Director Morten Geschwendtner said: "We think this is a very hot boy's property. There are lots of episodes of the television show and that will provide us with the support we need to establish CODE LYOKOTM as a long-term boys' brand."
About THE GAME FACTORY
THE GAME FACTORY is a worldwide publisher of video and computer games based on leading international children's properties. THE GAME FACTORY has its HQ in Brabrand, Denmark, with subsidiaries in London UK and Santa Monica, California.
For more corporate and product information, please visit: www.gamefactorygames.com
Henrik Mathiasen
President
About MoonScoop
Leading kids and animation brand MoonScoop was established in 2004 following the acquisition of leading youth producer and distributor France Animation by Antefilms Production, one of Europe's most dynamic and creative production houses.
MoonScoop is Europe's leading producer of animation with a slate of six series per year. Its distribution catalogue includes over 2,000 half-hours of programming across 100 titles airing in over 100 territories worldwide. The company's production and distribution activities are supported by a dedicated marketing division which has signed over 60 licenses in 25 countries since its inception last year.
MoonScoop aims to build its worldwide presence by focusing on projects with international appeal and longevity. Its key properties for this year include Code Lyoko, a fast-paced 2D/3D show currently airing in the US on Cartoon Network and internationally, Fantastic Four based on the classic Marvel comic-book heroes, evergreen character Titeuf (Tootuff) and popular 3D alien adventure series Pet Alien. Also on the current MoonScoop slate are Dr. Dog, Little Vampire, Funky Cops and Invisible Man.
It employs 150 people at two sites, Paris (pre-production, post-production, distribution and marketing) and Angoulême (3D animation and motion capture).
For further information on MoonScoop, please contact:
Aimee Norman, Blueprint PR on +44 (0) 20 7354 9813 or email [email protected]
About FUNimation
FUNimation Entertainment, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Navarre Corporation (NASDAQ: NAVR), is a brand management company and one of the nation's leading independent home video entertainment companies. The company has a proven formula for launching and advancing brands, and manages a full spectrum of rights for most of its brands including broadcasting, licensing, production, internet, and home video sales and distribution. For images, or more information on FUNimation or any of its properties, contact Jeff Dronen at 817-788-0627, ext. 251 or [email protected].
About Kidz Entertainment
Based in Copenhagen, Kidz Entertainment introduces, builds and develops a properties presence in the Nordic region by working with local partners and being able to offer them partnership in negotiating broadcasting rights, home video rights, licensing & merchandising rights, promotional rights, and interactive rights. The client roster includes a mixture of classic brands and exciting new properties. At the moment in the Nordic region Kidz Entertainment represents Bratz, Care Bears, Little Miss Spider, Duel Masters, Noddy, The Koala Brothers, Postman Pat, Little Red Tractor, Jungo, Franklin the Turtle, Babar, It's Happy Bunny, Lazytown, B-daman, ATOM, Littlest Pet Shop, Open Season, Zathura, Pororo, and Furby.
For further information on Kidz Entertainment, please contact: CO CEO
Morten Geschwendtner
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