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<span style='font-size:14pt;line-height:100%'>Acclaim Entertainment, Inc. Signs Cast of ABC Television's 'Alias' To Include Their Voices in Fall Series-Based Video Game Release</span>
Monday May 12, 9:58 am ET
Jennifer Garner, Michael Vartan, Victor Garber, Ron Rifkin, Carl Lumbly, Kevin Weisman and David Anders Join Series' Producer J.J. Abrams And Writing Team to Collaborate on Development of Next-Generation Title Offering Hollywood Authenticity of Hit Series
Acclaim Entertainment, Inc. Signs Cast of ABC Television's 'Alias' To Include Their Voices in Fall Series-Based Video Game Release
Monday May 12, 9:58 am ET
Jennifer Garner, Michael Vartan, Victor Garber, Ron Rifkin, Carl Lumbly, Kevin Weisman and David Anders Join Series' Producer J.J. Abrams And Writing Team to Collaborate on Development of Next-Generation Title Offering Hollywood Authenticity of Hit Series
LOS ANGELES, May 12 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- E3 -- Illustrating the increasing convergence of Hollywood and interactive entertainment, Acclaim Entertainment, Inc. (Nasdaq: AKLM - News) today announced that it has signed an agreement with the cast members of ABC television's critically-acclaimed series, "Alias," to lend their voices in the series-based video game that will launch this fall on the PlayStation®2 computer entertainment system, Xbox™ video game system from Microsoft and PC. The cast members -- including Jennifer Garner, Michael Vartan, Victor Garber, Ron Rifkin, Carl Lumbly, Kevin Weisman and David Anders -- have joined the show's producer, J.J. Abrams, and writing team, who have been collaborating with Buena Vista Interactive and Acclaim's Cheltenham studio on the development of the Alias video game.
(Photo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20030512/NYM006-a http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20030512/NYM006-b )
"We are very excited to be working in concert with this very talented cast and production team to deliver an entertainment experience that truly captures the essence of ABC's successful series," said Rod Cousens, Global President and Chief Operating Officer for Acclaim. "As technology continues to evolve, it allows us to create content that is on par with feature films and television."
"As an avid video game player, I have been enjoying the collaborative product development process and working in a new form of media to create a video game based on 'Alias,'" added J.J. Abrams, Creator and Executive Producer of "Alias." "Having the continuity of our cast and writers being involved with this project ensures that the video game will reflect the series' production values and definitive style."
"I'm very excited to be part of this game, which is testimony to our show's loyal fans and talented production team," said Jennifer Garner, who plays "Alias" lead character, Sydney Bristow. "In working with the developers, I was extremely impressed with how they captured the look and feel of the show, especially my 'virtual Sydney' character."
"With the convergence of Hollywood and video games, Alias is a perfect example of how interactive entertainment has accelerated to the next level," said Bruce Gersh, Vice President of Business Development at ABC. "The fascinating and strong character of 'Alias'' Sydney Bristow is so engaging on the TV screen, and her 'virtual Sydney' is equally mesmerizing in the video game."
"Alias is an important initiative in our strategy of producing games that reach not only the core gaming community, but an older segment of the video game market through our newly formed label, Buena Vista Interactive," said Graham Hopper, Senior Vice President and General Manager, Buena Vista Games, Inc. "Alias is another example of the match of a great franchise becoming a great game."
Alias is a third-person action adventure video game that allows players to step into the role of the series' lead character, Sydney Bristow, an agent for the CIA. Bristow must use her cunning, extensive knowledge of martial arts and array of high-tech gadgetry to accomplish dangerous missions. Alias encompasses all of the key elements behind the series' success, including high-action combat, stealth missions and time-based objectives, espionage, intriguing plot twists, high-tech weaponry and stunning gameplay locations that span the globe.
The following "Alias" cast members are featured within the video game:
* Jennifer Garner -- Sydney Bristow
* Michael Vartan -- Michael Vaughn
* Victor Garber -- Jack Bristow
* Ron Rifkin -- Arvin Sloane
* Carl Lumbly -- Marcus Dixon
* Kevin Weisman -- Marshall Flinkman
* David Anders -- Mr. Sark
"Alias" was created by J.J. Abrams, who executive produces the series along with John Eisendrath, Ken Olin, Alex Kurtzman-Counter and Roberto Orci. The series, which is filmed in Los Angeles and premiered on September 30, 2001, is from Touchstone Television.
Alias will be available this fall on the PlayStation®2 computer entertainment system, Xbox™ and PC at suggested retail prices to be determined. For more information on this game, please visit www.aliasthegame.com. Acclaim's complete showcase of products will be featured at E3 in Los Angeles, CA at booth #152 in the Concourse Hall.
About Buena Vista Interactive
Buena Vista Interactive is the core games publishing label of Buena Vista Games, Inc., the interactive entertainment arm of The Walt Disney Company's Consumer Products business unit. The label creates, markets and distributes a broad portfolio of PC and multi-platform video games worldwide. The company also licenses properties and works directly with third-party interactive game publishers to bring products for all ages to market.
About Acclaim Entertainment
Based in Glen Cove, NY, Acclaim Entertainment, Inc., is a worldwide developer, publisher and mass marketer of software for use with interactive entertainment game consoles, including those manufactured by Nintendo, Sony Computer Entertainment and Microsoft Corporation as well as personal computer hardware systems. Acclaim owns and operates five studios located in the United States and the United Kingdom, and publishes and distributes its software through its subsidiaries in North America, the United Kingdom, Germany, France and Spain. The Company uses regional distributors worldwide. Acclaim also distributes entertainment software for other publishers worldwide, publishes software gaming strategy guides and issues "special edition" comic magazines periodically. Acclaim's corporate headquarters are in Glen Cove, New York, and Acclaim's common stock is publicly traded on NASDAQ.SC under the symbol AKLM. For more information please visit our website at www.acclaim.com.
The statements contained in this release, which are not historical facts, are "forward-looking statements." Acclaim cautions readers of this press release that a number of important factors could cause Acclaim's actual future results to differ materially from those expressed in any such forward-looking statements. These important factors, including, without limitation, the financial strength of the interactive entertainment industry, dependence on new product introductions and the ability to maintain the scheduling of such introductions, technological changes, dependence on major platform manufacturers and other factors that could affect Acclaim, are described in Acclaim's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended August 31, 2002, and Acclaim's subsequent Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q, all of which were filed with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission. Readers of this press release are referred to such filings.
<span style='font-size:14pt;line-height:100%'>Acclaim Entertainment, Inc. Signs Cast of ABC Television's 'Alias' To Include Their Voices in Fall Series-Based Video Game Release</span>
Monday May 12, 9:58 am ET
Jennifer Garner, Michael Vartan, Victor Garber, Ron Rifkin, Carl Lumbly, Kevin Weisman and David Anders Join Series' Producer J.J. Abrams And Writing Team to Collaborate on Development of Next-Generation Title Offering Hollywood Authenticity of Hit Series
Acclaim Entertainment, Inc. Signs Cast of ABC Television's 'Alias' To Include Their Voices in Fall Series-Based Video Game Release
Monday May 12, 9:58 am ET
Jennifer Garner, Michael Vartan, Victor Garber, Ron Rifkin, Carl Lumbly, Kevin Weisman and David Anders Join Series' Producer J.J. Abrams And Writing Team to Collaborate on Development of Next-Generation Title Offering Hollywood Authenticity of Hit Series
LOS ANGELES, May 12 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- E3 -- Illustrating the increasing convergence of Hollywood and interactive entertainment, Acclaim Entertainment, Inc. (Nasdaq: AKLM - News) today announced that it has signed an agreement with the cast members of ABC television's critically-acclaimed series, "Alias," to lend their voices in the series-based video game that will launch this fall on the PlayStation®2 computer entertainment system, Xbox™ video game system from Microsoft and PC. The cast members -- including Jennifer Garner, Michael Vartan, Victor Garber, Ron Rifkin, Carl Lumbly, Kevin Weisman and David Anders -- have joined the show's producer, J.J. Abrams, and writing team, who have been collaborating with Buena Vista Interactive and Acclaim's Cheltenham studio on the development of the Alias video game.
(Photo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20030512/NYM006-a http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20030512/NYM006-b )
"We are very excited to be working in concert with this very talented cast and production team to deliver an entertainment experience that truly captures the essence of ABC's successful series," said Rod Cousens, Global President and Chief Operating Officer for Acclaim. "As technology continues to evolve, it allows us to create content that is on par with feature films and television."
"As an avid video game player, I have been enjoying the collaborative product development process and working in a new form of media to create a video game based on 'Alias,'" added J.J. Abrams, Creator and Executive Producer of "Alias." "Having the continuity of our cast and writers being involved with this project ensures that the video game will reflect the series' production values and definitive style."
"I'm very excited to be part of this game, which is testimony to our show's loyal fans and talented production team," said Jennifer Garner, who plays "Alias" lead character, Sydney Bristow. "In working with the developers, I was extremely impressed with how they captured the look and feel of the show, especially my 'virtual Sydney' character."
"With the convergence of Hollywood and video games, Alias is a perfect example of how interactive entertainment has accelerated to the next level," said Bruce Gersh, Vice President of Business Development at ABC. "The fascinating and strong character of 'Alias'' Sydney Bristow is so engaging on the TV screen, and her 'virtual Sydney' is equally mesmerizing in the video game."
"Alias is an important initiative in our strategy of producing games that reach not only the core gaming community, but an older segment of the video game market through our newly formed label, Buena Vista Interactive," said Graham Hopper, Senior Vice President and General Manager, Buena Vista Games, Inc. "Alias is another example of the match of a great franchise becoming a great game."
Alias is a third-person action adventure video game that allows players to step into the role of the series' lead character, Sydney Bristow, an agent for the CIA. Bristow must use her cunning, extensive knowledge of martial arts and array of high-tech gadgetry to accomplish dangerous missions. Alias encompasses all of the key elements behind the series' success, including high-action combat, stealth missions and time-based objectives, espionage, intriguing plot twists, high-tech weaponry and stunning gameplay locations that span the globe.
The following "Alias" cast members are featured within the video game:
* Jennifer Garner -- Sydney Bristow
* Michael Vartan -- Michael Vaughn
* Victor Garber -- Jack Bristow
* Ron Rifkin -- Arvin Sloane
* Carl Lumbly -- Marcus Dixon
* Kevin Weisman -- Marshall Flinkman
* David Anders -- Mr. Sark
"Alias" was created by J.J. Abrams, who executive produces the series along with John Eisendrath, Ken Olin, Alex Kurtzman-Counter and Roberto Orci. The series, which is filmed in Los Angeles and premiered on September 30, 2001, is from Touchstone Television.
Alias will be available this fall on the PlayStation®2 computer entertainment system, Xbox™ and PC at suggested retail prices to be determined. For more information on this game, please visit www.aliasthegame.com. Acclaim's complete showcase of products will be featured at E3 in Los Angeles, CA at booth #152 in the Concourse Hall.
About Buena Vista Interactive
Buena Vista Interactive is the core games publishing label of Buena Vista Games, Inc., the interactive entertainment arm of The Walt Disney Company's Consumer Products business unit. The label creates, markets and distributes a broad portfolio of PC and multi-platform video games worldwide. The company also licenses properties and works directly with third-party interactive game publishers to bring products for all ages to market.
About Acclaim Entertainment
Based in Glen Cove, NY, Acclaim Entertainment, Inc., is a worldwide developer, publisher and mass marketer of software for use with interactive entertainment game consoles, including those manufactured by Nintendo, Sony Computer Entertainment and Microsoft Corporation as well as personal computer hardware systems. Acclaim owns and operates five studios located in the United States and the United Kingdom, and publishes and distributes its software through its subsidiaries in North America, the United Kingdom, Germany, France and Spain. The Company uses regional distributors worldwide. Acclaim also distributes entertainment software for other publishers worldwide, publishes software gaming strategy guides and issues "special edition" comic magazines periodically. Acclaim's corporate headquarters are in Glen Cove, New York, and Acclaim's common stock is publicly traded on NASDAQ.SC under the symbol AKLM. For more information please visit our website at www.acclaim.com.
The statements contained in this release, which are not historical facts, are "forward-looking statements." Acclaim cautions readers of this press release that a number of important factors could cause Acclaim's actual future results to differ materially from those expressed in any such forward-looking statements. These important factors, including, without limitation, the financial strength of the interactive entertainment industry, dependence on new product introductions and the ability to maintain the scheduling of such introductions, technological changes, dependence on major platform manufacturers and other factors that could affect Acclaim, are described in Acclaim's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended August 31, 2002, and Acclaim's subsequent Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q, all of which were filed with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission. Readers of this press release are referred to such filings.