Several Wii, DS and GBA titles on show.
Buena Vista Games Strengthens Self-Publishing Business, Unveils New Video Game Lineup at 2006 Electronic Entertainment Expo
E3Expo 2006
BURBANK, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--May 8, 2006--Buena Vista Games, Inc.:
-- Portfolio Includes Console and Handheld Titles Based on New Intellectual Properties and Franchises from The Walt Disney Company
-- Spectrobes, Turok and Desperate Housewives: The Game to Make World Premieres
Buena Vista Games, Inc. (BVG), the interactive entertainment arm of The Walt Disney Company (NYSE:DIS), today announced its largest and most diverse lineup ever of console, computer and handheld video game titles to be showcased at the Electronic Entertainment Expo (E3), May 10-12 at the Los Angeles Convention Center, Booth No. 1024 in the South Hall.
With a broad portfolio of video games that appeals to a wide audience, BVG's portfolio includes titles inspired by major theatrical releases, popular and award-winning television shows and new intellectual properties.
"Buena Vista Games' 2006 portfolio features the most diverse and extensive product mix to date, with titles based on the rich movie and television brands of The Walt Disney Company and new original properties that we look to build into evergreen franchises for the future," said Graham Hopper, senior vice president and general manager, Buena Vista Games. "We continue to strengthen our self-publishing business with compelling new games that have broad entertainment appeal across all audiences and all major markets worldwide."
For console game players, BVG will showcase a broad range of titles including Turok, an FPS game set on a mysterious planet that is based on the Classic Media comic book license; Disney's Chicken Little: Ace in Action, based on the "super hero movie within a movie" of the box office hit film "Chicken Little"; Disney's Meet the Robinsons, inspired by the upcoming Walt Disney Pictures' futuristic computer-animated film; Lumines Plus, the first console extension of the highly popular Lumines puzzle franchise; and Disney's Kim Possible: What's the Switch?, the first console game based on the hit Disney Channel franchise.
For Windows PC users, Desperate Housewives: The Game, based on the award-winning ABC/Touchstone Television series "Desperate Housewives" will be available for game play for the first time.
BVG's strategy for its kids games portfolio is focused on three endeavors in 2006 -- the launch of the Disney on the Go brand; new efforts in handheld preschool learning games with the launch of Disney's Little Einsteins for Game Boy(R) Advance; and migrating handheld franchise hits to the console for sophisticated gameplay in a family-safe environment with Disney's Kim Possible for PlayStation(R)2 computer entertainment system.
BVG will showcase handheld games for all major handheld platforms (the PSP(TM) (PlayStation(R)Portable) system, Nintendo DS(TM) and Game Boy Advance). The company's handheld portfolio will include Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man's Chest, based on the upcoming summer blockbuster movie; Spectrobes, a new original title being developed in Japan; Lumines II, Every Extend Extra and Meteos: Disney Edition, action puzzle games from Q ENTERTAINMENT; and games based on popular Disney Channel properties including "Hannah Montana," "Little Einsteins," "American Dragon," "Phil of the Future," "The Suite Life of Zack & Cody," "That's So Raven" and more. Also, BVG will present new titles for young girls based on the Disney Princess franchise including a game based on the upcoming DVD release of "The Little Mermaid."
Along with its self-publishing business, BVG continues to work with its licensing partners on phenomenal games based on Disney and Disney-Pixar properties. THQ Inc. will showcase Disney-Pixar Cars and Bethesda Softworks will show Pirates of the Caribbean: The Legend of Jack Sparrow in their respective booths at E3.
Disney's Meet The Robinsons
Disney's Meet the Robinsons, based on the upcoming Walt Disney
Pictures animated film, is a time-traveling action/adventure game.
Players will experience the adventure as Wilbur Robinson, helping him
chase the dastardly Bowler Hat Guy and his diabolical robotic hat
Doris through multiple timelines in an attempt to thwart their evil
plans. The game weaves in and out of the film's plot, expanding the
Robinson world and offering an all-new adventure. Wilbur will have a
host of gadgets at his disposal as he battles enemies and solves
puzzles while pursuing Bowler Hat Guy and trying not to alter the
future.
Platforms: Wii(TM), PlayStation 2, Nintendo DS and Game Boy Advance
Release Date: 2007
Disney's Chicken Little: Ace in Action
Inspired by the "superhero movie within the movie" finale of Walt
Disney Pictures' box office hit film "Chicken Little," Disney's
Chicken Little: Ace in Action features Ace, the superhero alter ego of
Chicken Little, and the Hollywood versions of his misfit band of
friends: Runt, Abby and Fish-Out-of-Water. The crew of the
intergalactic Battle Barn faces off against Foxy Loxy and her evil
Amazonian sidekick, Goosey Loosey, who have an evil plan to take over
Earth. Battle evil alien robots through multiple levels across the
solar system and combat your foes in one of three distinct game play
modes: Ace on foot as a soldier, Runt as the driver of an armored
tank, or Abby as the pilot of a spaceship. The original Chicken Little
and his friends Abby, Runt and Fish we know from the film are featured
in cut scenes throughout the game.
Platforms: Wii, PlayStation 2 and Nintendo DS
Release Date: Fall 2006
Spectrobes
An original concept and new intellectual property from Buena Vista
Games, Spectrobes introduces two junior Interplanetary Patrol officers
named Rallen and Jeena who learn of strange, prehistoric creatures
called Spectrobes that possess special powers. These Spectrobes hold
the key to defeating a vicious and merciless force, known only as the
Krawl that threatens to destroy the galaxy. The two heroes embark on a
mission to save their galaxy -- to do so they must excavate, awaken,
train and collect all the Spectrobes they can and battle to defeat the
Krawl.
Platform: Nintendo DS
Release Date: To Be Announced
Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man's Chest
Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man's Chest, based on the upcoming Walt
Disney Pictures' film, is a swashbuckling third-person
action/adventure. Players will engage in game play that reflects the
cunning world of the film franchise -- with an abundance of
disloyalty, humor and revenge. Players embark on a daring adventure
while sword dueling and hunting for hidden treasure in the quest for
the legendary Dead Man's Chest.
Platforms: PSP system, Nintendo DS and Game Boy Advance
Release Date: June 27, 2006
Meteos: Disney Edition
Meteos: Disney Edition is a new version of the popular galactic action
puzzle title Meteos featuring beloved Disney characters.
Platform: Nintendo DS
Release Date: Fall 2006
BVG will also showcase upcoming handheld titles including for the
Nintendo DS:
Disney's American Dragon: Jake Long, Attack of the Dark Dragon
Disney's Kim Possible: Global Gemini
Hannah Montana
That's So Raven: Psychic on the Scene
Disney's The Little Mermaid: Ariel's Undersea Adventure
The Suite Life of Zack & Cody: Tipton Trouble
Games for the Game Boy Advance include:
The Cheetah Girls
Phil of the Future
W.I.T.C.H.
Licensed Games
Disney-Pixar Cars
Published by THQ, Cars, the video game, is a high performance
interactive experience in the open world created in the film,
challenging players to relive the excitement created by Lightning
McQueen and his friends. Fans will discover unique characters and
environments inspired by the film with more than 10 playable
characters and 30 races and mini games to choose from. The game
features a fully immersive recreation of all major environments
introduced in the movie, including Radiator Springs and Ornament
Valley, which will offer distinctive racing experiences to players
while maintaining the artistic style of the film.
Platforms: Xbox 360, Wii, PlayStation 2, Xbox(R) video game and
entertainment system from Microsoft, Nintendo GameCube(R), Nintendo
DS, PSP system, Game Boy Advance, Windows PC and Mac
Release Date: June 2006; Xbox 360 and Wii versions -- Fall 2006