Highly Anticipated Slate Includes Games Based On Tony Hawk,
Mat Hoffman, Shaun Palmer, DOOM®, Spider-Man and X-Men
Santa Monica, CA - March 20, 2001 - Activision, Inc. (Nasdaq: ATVI) is poised
to deliver maximum thrills and action to the Nintendo Game Boy Advance with
the introduction of six new video games based on some of the industry's hottest
franchises. Marquee brands that will make their debut on the new hand-held system
include Tony Hawk's Pro Skater, Mat Hoffman's Pro BMX, Shaun Palmer's Pro Snowboarder,
DOOM® and Marvel super-heroes Spider-Man and X-Men.
"Activision is committed to putting the top brands in gaming in the palms
of players' hands," states Ron Doornink, President and COO, Activision,
Inc. "Our titles are being developed to take full advantage of the Game
Boy Advance and we expect that the quality of these games will rival the level
of gameplay found on the current-generation of home consoles."
Activision's Game Boy Advance slate includes:
Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 2
Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 2 for the Game Boy Advance recreates the thrill of the
Tony Hawk's Pro Skater franchise with new level designs, gameplay and technology.
Players choose to ride with the skills of Tony Hawk, the most recognized skateboarding
pro of all time, or as one of 12 top pro skaters from the same star-studded
line-up that is in the PlayStation game console version. Players perform hundreds
of tricks with an intuitive and solid control scheme in a variety of realistic,
obstacle-filled locations. Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 2 is being developed for Activision
by Vicarious Visions, Inc. and is expected to be released this summer.
Spider-Man: Mysterio's Menace
For the first time ever, pocket gamers can live the fantasy of Marvel's web-slinging
super-hero with the enhanced, side-scrolling gameplay and powerful graphics
of the Nintendo Game Boy Advance. When Mysterio turns Manhattan into one big
illusory nightmare, it is up to players to use Spider-Man's "Spider-Sense"
and amazing web-slinging, wall-crawling abilities to stop the evil plan and
restore the city to normal. Spider-Man: Mysterio's Menace for the Game Boy Advance
is being developed for Activision by Vicarious Visions, Inc. and is scheduled
for release this fall.
X-Men: Reign of Apocalypse
Marvel's ever-popular X-Men enter the next dimension when they morph onto the
Nintendo Game Boy Advance this fall. Featuring one-to-four-player capabilities,
X-Men: Reign of Apocalypse is a side-scrolling brawler featuring over 40 trademark
X-Men characters. For the first time, two different modes provide adventurous
side-scrolling fun and fighting game action. In Story Mode, players must fight
their way through hordes of enemies, drawing on their mutant powers as they
attempt to find a way out of a strange, alternate universe. As players progress
through the game, they are confronted with former friends and foes from their
own universe - all bent on stopping the X-Men from returning home. In Versus
Mode, players can play head-to-head with up to four players. X-Men: Reign of
Apocalypse is being developed for Activision by Digital Eclipse and is expected
to be released this fall.
Shaun Palmer's Pro Snowboarder (working title)
Shaun Palmer's Pro Snowboarder lets fans build a pro career as snowboarding
legend Shaun Palmer or four of the sports' best riders. Players take their skills
to the edge as they shred through four of the world's best snowboarding locales
and discover first hand the secrets of 16 different courses. Players work their
way up the ranks of the pro circuit by landing huge tricks in freestyle competitions
or snatching the gold in boardercross. Shaun Palmer's Pro Snowboarder is being
developed for Activision by Natsume and is expected to be released this fall.
Mat Hoffman's Pro BMX
Mat Hoffman's Pro BMX lets gamers experience the unparalleled thrill of authentic
BMX biking. Featuring Mat Hoffman, the most legendary pro BMX rider of all time,
and seven other top pros, the game challenges players to perform hundreds of
tricks, combinations and signature moves. Mat Hoffman's Pro BMX features an
intuitive solid control scheme that lets players master a multitude of vert,
street and dirt track levels. Mat Hoffman's Pro BMX is being developed for Activision
by HotGen and is expected to be released this fall.
DOOM
Based on the most popular action-shooter of all time, id Software's DOOM for
Game Boy Advance features all of the frenetic, adrenaline pumping action and
immersive gameplay from the original PC game. True to the original, the game
features an advanced 3D graphics engine and an onslaught of horrific demons.
DOOM challenges players to face off against attacks from cyber-organic creatures
and demons in a timeless battle of skill and firepower.
id -- Freud's primal part of the human psyche and one of the hottest game shops
on Earth - has been rocking the gaming world from Mesquite, Texas since 1991.
As a renowned leader in the industry, id Software forged such frenetic titles
as Wolfenstein 3D®, DOOM®, DOOM II(tm), QUAKE® and QUAKE II(tm).
With intense graphics and mind-blowing action, id's games continually break
retail and shareware sales records. And, in keeping with tradition, id Software
has amplified the world of adrenaline pumping 3-D gaming with the release of
their latest action titles, QUAKE III Arena(tm) and QUAKE III: Team Arena(tm).
id's advanced QUAKE III Arena engine is leading the next revolution in 3-D interactive
games with both single and multiplayer technology. Check out more about id Software
at www.idsoftware.com.
With a library of over 4,700 proprietary characters, Marvel Enterprises, Inc.
is one of the world's most prominent character-based entertainment companies.
Marvel's operations are focused in five divisions: entertainment (Marvel Studios),
licensing, toys (Toy Biz), comic book publishing and Internet/New Media. Marvel
facilitates the creation of entertainment projects, including feature films,
television, home video and the Internet, based on its characters and also licenses
its characters for use in a wide range of consumer products and services including
video and computer games, apparel, collectibles, snack foods and promotions.
Marvel's characters and plot lines are created by its comic book division which
continues to maintain a leadership position in the U.S. and worldwide while
also serving as an invaluable source of intellectual property. For additional
information visit the Marvel Web site at http://www.marvel.com.
Headquartered in Santa Monica, California, Activision, Inc. is a leading worldwide
developer, publisher and distributor of interactive entertainment and leisure
products. Founded in 1979, Activision posted revenues of $572 million for the
fiscal year ended March 31, 2000.
Activision maintains operations in the US, Canada, the United Kingdom, France,
Germany, Japan, Australia, and the Netherlands. More information about Activision
and its products can be found on the company's World Wide Web site, which is
located at http://www.activision.com.
The statements contained in this release that are not historical facts are
"forward-looking statements." The Company cautions readers of this
press release that a number of important factors could cause Activision's actual
future results to differ materially from those expressed in any such forward-looking
statements. These important factors, and other factors that could affect Activision,
are described in Activision's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year
ended March 31, 2000, which was filed with the United States Securities and
Exchange Commission. Readers of this press release are referred to such filings.