HASBRO INTERACTIVE AND NICKELODEON FORGE THREE-YEAR
SOFTWARE PARTNERSHIP
Agreement includes cross-platform games based on network animated programs
CatDogª and Nicktoonsª
BEVERLY, Mass. (May 13, 1999) Ð Hasbro Interactive announced today a partnership joining two of the hottest brands in kidsÕ entertainment. Under the agreement, Hasbro Interactive will create, publish and market computer and video games based on Nickelodeon's CatDog, one of the networkÕs highest-rated animated series, and Nicktoonsª, NickelodeonªÕs lineup of original animation.
ÒNickelodeon is the hottest name in kids entertainment right now,Ó says Hasbro Interactive President Tom Dusenberry. ÒThis agreement provides us with a tremendous opportunity to strengthen our childrenÕs games line. We are thrilled to be able to partner with Nickelodeon to create the best possible games based on these blockbuster properties.Ó
ÒWe are so pleased to partner with Hasbro Interactive, as theyÕve proven themselves as a leader in both the PC and video game market for kids,Ó says Leigh Anne Brodsky, senior vice president, Nickelodeon Consumer Products. ÒWe look forward to continuing to break the mold Ð together with Hasbro Ð with character-driven, innovative kidsÕ software. Nickelodeon continues to put kids first in everything we do, and this extends to our software programs.Ó
Hasbro Interactive and Nickelodeon will release CatDog Ð ÒQuest for the Golden HydrantÓ CD-ROM this fall. The game is based on the animated series which chronicles the comical misadventures of a unique creature with two heads, one body and no trace of a tail. Kids join this
ultimate odd-couple on an arcade-style adventure in search of the elusive golden hydrant, as they collect tokens that help them solve the adventure and progress through the six levels of action levels.
CatDog Ð Quest for the Golden Hydrant CD-ROM, for kids 6 and up, will be playable on Microsoft Windows 95 and higher systems in fall 1999. Hasbro Interactive and Nickelodeon also are working to develop a title for the PlayStation game console, Nickelodeon CatDog ÒSaving Mean Bob,Ó which will be released next year, and a CatDog title for the Color Game Boy next year.
Hasbro Interactive and Nickelodeon will also be creating interactive games based on Nicktoons, the networkÕs lineup of original animation. The Nicktoons games will feature characters from a wide range of hit animated programs, including Rugrats, The Ren & Stimpy Show; CatDog; The Angry Beavers; Hey Arnold!; The Wild Thornberrys; RockoÕs Modern Life; and Kablam.
Nicktoons games will be developed for the PC, PlayStation game console, the color GameBoy and the Nintendo 64 game system. The first Nicktoons games are scheduled to release in 2000.
CatDog is the ultimate odd couple Ð itÕs opposites attached! The two-headed Õtoon comes to life through physical, gag-filled, character-driven animation. Innocent and rambunctious ÒDogÓ enjoys rolling in the mud and eating garbage, while ÒCatÓ wishes to lead a civil, easy life and pursue his Cat hobbies with dignity and decorum. The fur often flies between this animated duo.
Rugrats was created by Arlene Klasky, Gabor Csupo and Paul Germain.
Nickelodeon has built a diverse, global business by putting kids first in everything it does. The company includes television programming and production in the U.S. and around the world, plus consumer products, online, recreation, publishing and feature films. Nickelodeon can be accessed at Nick.com and Teachers.Nick.com, as well as on AOL, keyword NICK. Nickelodeon and all related titles, characters and logos are trademarks of Viacom, Inc.
Hasbro Interactive, Inc. is a global interactive entertainment industry leader, innovating new ways to play and developing, publishing and distributing the highest quality interactive games, toys and lifestyle products for a full range of genres and platforms. Its premier brands include Hasbro Interactive ChildrenÕs and Family Entertainment, Atari¨, MicroProse¨, Avalon Hill¨, Hasbro Sports and Europress. Among the many award-winning titles published by Hasbro Interactive are: Frogger¨, Monopoly¨, Wheel of Fortune¨, Jeopardy¨, Tonka¨ Construction, Tonka¨ Workshop, Risk¨, Roller Coaster Tycoon¨, MechWarrior 3¨ and Falcon 4.0¨. A subsidiary of Hasbro, Inc. (NYSE: HAS), Hasbro Interactive has offices in the U.S., U.K., Australia, Canada and Germany and internal development studios in the U.S. and U.K. For further information, visit Hasbro InteractiveÕs Web site at http://www.hasbro-interactive.com.
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© 1999 Hasbro Interactive, Inc./Hasbro, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
