Burbank, Calif., May 5, 2003 - Warner Bros. Consumer Products and DC Comics announced today that Electronic Arts has been awarded the worldwide interactive rights to develop, publish and distribute computer and video games based on the world's greatest super hero, Superman. Financial terms of the deal with Warner Bros. Consumer Products and DC Comics were not disclosed.
"We are extremely excited about creating a whole new look and feel for the universe of Superman characters," said John Riccitiello, President and COO of Electronic Arts. "We'll work closely with Warner Bros. Consumer Products and DC Comics to make the games compatible with the evolution of this character and the highly anticipated film to come."
Under the multi-year agreement, EA will publish games based on the upcoming Superman feature film from Warner Bros. Pictures, as well as any subsequent Superman films distributed during the term of the agreement. Beginning in 2004, the license grants EA the rights to develop game titles for all current and next generation video game consoles, handhelds and the PC. In addition, EA has the rights to produce games based on Superman comics and animated television programs.
"We are very pleased to be extending our relationship with EA once again. With the overwhelming success of the Harry Potter games, the groundbreaking co-publishing relationship on the 'Looney Tunes: Back in Action' game, and now Superman, we are set to take our gaming franchises to superheroic heights," said Dan Romanelli, President, Warner Bros. Worldwide Consumer Products. "Whether storylines are based on film, comics or television, Warner Bros. Consumer Products, DC Comics and EA will work closely on all creative fronts to create a seamless, truly interactive gaming experience that capitalizes on the strength of the Superman legacy."
Paul Levitz, DC Comics President & Publisher, added, "We're delighted to be working with our new collaborators at Electronic Arts and our old friends at Warner Bros. Consumer Products to create a new generation of video games worthy of the Man of Steel."
About Warner Bros. Consumer Products
Warner Bros. Consumer Products, a Warner Bros. Entertainment Company, is one of the leading licensing and retail merchandising organizations in the world.
About DC Comics
DC Comics, a division of Warner Bros., an AOL Time Warner Company, is the largest English-language publisher of comics in the world and home to such iconic characters as Superman, Batman, Wonder Woman and the Sandman. These DC Super Heroes and others have starred in comic books, movies, television series (both animated and live-action) and cyberspace, thrilling audiences of all ages for generations. DC Comics' Web site is located at www.dccomics.com.
About Electronic Arts
Electronic Arts, headquartered in Redwood City, California, is the world's leading interactive entertainment software company. Founded in 1982, Electronic Arts posted revenues of more than $1.7 billion for fiscal 2002. The company develops, publishes and distributes software worldwide for the Internet, personal computers and video game systems. EA markets its products under four brand names: EA SPORTS(TM), EA GAMES(TM), EA SPORTS BIG(TM) and EA.COM(SM). More information about EA's products and full text of press releases can be found on the Internet at http://info.ea.com.
SUPERMAN and all related characters and elements are trademarks of and (c) DC Comics.
