REDWOOD CITY, Calif., Dec. 19 -- The 3DO Company today announced that it is collaborating with world famous character creator Stan Winston on Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse for PC, the PlayStation®2 computer entertainment system, the Nintendo GameCube(TM) system, and the Xbox(TM) video game system from Microsoft. Four-time Oscar winner for creature effects on Aliens, Terminator 2: Judgment Day, and Jurassic Park, Winston is now a consultant on the game's character designs and has optioned the feature film rights.
"We are excited that the ambition and depth of Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse has attracted a producer of Stan Winston's caliber," said Trip Hawkins, chief executive officer, The 3DO Company. "Winston's award-winning production expertise and his extensive knowledge of creature effects will be invaluable to the game. This represents a major opportunity as we develop this title into a major 3DO franchise that encompasses films as well as games."
"Four Horsemen has a compelling storyline with a dark, gritty look and feel that caught my attention," said Stan Winston of Stan Winston Productions. "We have a great synergy between our two organizations, and I look forward to working on the project."
About Stan Winston Productions
For over 30 years, Stan Winston and his team of artists and technicians have been creating characters, creatures and monsters for motion pictures and television with the goal of creating images that are forever etched into your imagination. Stan Winston was nominated for Oscars for John Carpenter's The Thing (1982), Predator (1987), Edward Scissorhands (1990), Batman Returns (1992), and Jurassic Park: The Lost World (1996). His works has been recognized with four Oscars for his work in Aliens (1986), Terminator 2: Judgment Day (1991), and Jurassic Park (1993).
About Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse
A dark adventure, Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse combines the expertise of celebrated artists Simon Bisley and Dave DeVries with the voice talents of Tim Curry (The Hunt for Red October, Charlie's Angels, The Three Musketeers), Lance Henriksen (The Right Stuff, Aliens, Millennium) and cult film star Traci Lords (Melrose Place, Profiler, First Wave).
The game is set in the present day, as the archangel Abaddon faces possessed zealots, demons, and the daunting powers of the personified plagues of Mankind: Pestilence, War, Famine and Death. As Abaddon, the player must find the three "Chosen" and combine their untapped powers in time to save the world from destruction. It won't be easy -- God's Chosen are mortals: a prostitute, a serial killer and a corrupt politician.
The story unfolds via in-game cinematics and "graphic novel" sequences by Bisley, the title's character designer. These graphic novel images are displayed on-screen complete with animations, voices and sound effects, bringing his work to life and immersing the player in the dark underworld of Hell's emissaries.
Features of the game include:
- Incredible gore and destruction effects including dismemberment, realistic and dynamic exit wounds through objects and people, morph animations, melting, and blood splatters.
- Diverse weaponry lends itself to spectacular cinematic violence -- swords for melee combat, automatic weapons, projectiles for ranged combat, and magic (slow time).
- Mature content with adult themes and extreme violence.
- Stunning deaths (finishing moves) and Hollywood-style combat moves choreographed and performed by the Smashcut Action Team (The Matrix 1-3, Fight Club, The Crow).
- More than 18 levels of photo-realistic play that sweep players through gothic environments, the post-apocalypse of World War III, and the depths of Hell itself.
Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse is planned for release in Fall 2003. More information about the game is available at www.4horsemen-game.com.
About The 3DO Company
The 3DO Company, headquartered in Redwood City, Calif., develops, publishes and distributes interactive entertainment software for personal computers, the Internet, and advanced entertainment systems such as the PlayStation®2 computer entertainment system, and the Nintendo GameCube(TM) and Game Boy® Advance systems. 3DO has also been licensed to develop and publish interactive entertainment products compatible with the Xbox(TM) video game system from Microsoft Corp. More information about The 3DO Company and 3DO products can be found on the Internet at www.3do.com.
The statements contained in this release that are not historical facts are "forward-looking statements" that are subject to risks and uncertainties. Potential risks and uncertainties include, without limitation, the Company's ability to complete the development and commercial release of products as currently planned, the popularity of the Company's brands, unanticipated expenses, and the consequences of competitive factors in the marketplace. Further information on potential factors which could affect such forward-looking statements and the Company's financial results are described in the Company's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2002, and the Company's Reports on Form 10-Q for the fiscal quarters ended June 30, 2002 and September 30, 2002. The Company expressly disclaims the obligation to update any forward-looking statement to reflect events or circumstances after the date hereof.
NOTE: 3DO, Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse, and their respective logos, are trademarks or registered trademarks of The 3DO Company in the U.S. and other countries.
"PlayStation" and the "PS" Family logo are registered trademarks of Sony Computer Entertainment Inc.
Game Boy Advance and the Nintendo GameCube logo are trademarks of Nintendo.
Xbox is a trademark of Microsoft Corporation in the United States and/or other countries.
All other trademarks belong to their respective owners.
