NEW YORK -- May 12, 2004 -- Marvel Enterprises, Inc., a leading global character-based entertainment licensing company, announced today at the world's largest video game convention, Electronic Entertainment Expo (E3), that partners have sold more than 14.5 million units of Marvel-branded video games in 2002 and 2003 alone, making Marvel a leading player in this growing industry. Based on its current pipeline, Marvel believes cumulative unit sales will exceed 30 million through the end of 2005. There are currently three video game franchises based on Marvel characters each having sales of over two million units, indicating the strength of the Marvel brand in this important consumer product category.
Seven Marvel character-branded video games are scheduled for release through December 2005 under video game license agreements with Activision, Encore, Universal Games, THQ and EA. One of the most highly anticipated releases of 2004 is the Spider-Man 2 movie game, which is being developed by Activision and is scheduled to be released in June prior to the movie's theatrical release. The next title in the popular Spider-Man movie game franchise builds upon impressive sales of the original offering, which has sold more than six million units since May 2002. Other scheduled video game releases in 2004 include X-Men Legends, building upon the successful X-Men franchise, which is also being developed by Activision.
"The performance of the Marvel brand in the interactive market is extremely impressive. As Marvel's video game pipeline continues to expand, we believe that the marketing power of this influential product category will fuel higher licensing income and consumer exposure for Marvel," said Gui Karyo, Marvel's President of Publishing.
Marvel's newly created in-house video game division will work with leading developers and publishers to create future titles. Video game titles previously released or scheduled for release over the next several years include:
Marvel Character Video Game Line-Up
(Release dates are controlled by licensing partners)
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Character/Property Publisher Release Date
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Spider-Man The Movie Activision Spring 2002
----------------------------------------------------------------------
X-Men: Next Dimension Activision Fall 2002
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Blade Activision Fall 2002
----------------------------------------------------------------------
X2: Wolverine's Revenge Activision Spring 2003
----------------------------------------------------------------------
The Hulk Vivendi-Universal Summer 2003
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Daredevil Encore Spring 2003
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Spider-Man 2 Movie Activision Summer 2004
----------------------------------------------------------------------
X-Men Legends Activision Fall 2004
----------------------------------------------------------------------
The Punisher THQ 2005
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Fantastic Four Activision 2005
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Iron Man Activision 2005
----------------------------------------------------------------------
The Hulk 2 Vivendi-Universal 2005
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Marvel and EA Super Heroes EA 2005
(Working Title)
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Marvel Universe MMP Vivendi-Universal TBA
----------------------------------------------------------------------
About Marvel Enterprises
Marvel Enterprises, Inc. is a leading global character-based entertainment licensing company that has developed and owns a library of over 4,700 characters, which have entertained generations around the world for over 60 years. Marvel's operations are focused in entertainment and consumer product licensing and comic book publishing. Marvel's creative teams at its Marvel Studios, Marvel Comics and Toy Biz divisions support the development of feature films (and DVD/video), video games, TV series and toy lines based on its characters. Marvel also licenses its characters for use in a broad and growing range of consumer products and services including apparel, collectibles, food and promotions. Marvel Comics is a leading global comics publisher and an invaluable source of intellectual property; Marvel Studios works with studios to develop feature film and entertainment projects; and Toy Biz is a recognized leader in toy design, sales and marketing that develops and oversees both licensee and in-house toy lines. For additional information visit http://www.marvel.com.
