Viacom Consumer Products Unveils Its Broadest Portfolio Ever of Videogames at E3 Convention

Viacom Consumer Products Unveils Its Broadest Portfolio Ever of Videogames at E3 Convention

Games from leading publishers to appear on current and next generation platforms and feature properties targeting all ages of gamers

Lineup features highly anticipated video games based on Paramount's The Godfather from Electronic Arts, Paramount's The Warriors from Rockstar Games, Nickelodeon Movies Barnyard from THQ as well as multiplayer sequel titles to Nickelodeon TV properties such as SpongeBob and videogame franchises such as Tak from THQ

NEW YORK, May 18 /PRNewswire/ -- Viacom Consumer Products, along with its publishing partners, will introduce its broadest portfolio ever of videogames based on the company's popular TV, game and movie properties at the Electronic Entertainment Expo (E3) in Los Angeles May 18-20.

Debuting at E3 this year will be two highly anticipated titles based on films from the Paramount film library, The Godfather from Electronic Arts and The Warriors from Rockstar Games. Additionally, Gameloft will be featuring a wireless game based on upon Steven Spielberg's upcoming film, War of the Worlds, starring Tom Cruise.

For the younger set, comes a portfolio of games from THQ based on hit Nickelodeon TV and game franchises. Included in the lineup will be new SpongeBob SquarePants and Tak titles which both focus for the first time on competitive and multiplayer gaming. E3 will also mark the premiere of a game based on Nickelodeon Movies' upcoming CGI-animated film Barnyard.

Finally, for the preschool gamer, comes a couple of edutainment titles; a PC title based upon the upcoming Dora the Explorer Video Premiere special, Dance to the Rescue from Atari and Dora's first ever PlayStation(R) 2 computer entertainment system title, Journey to the Purple Planet from 2K Games.

"Viacom Consumer Products represents the leading properties for kids and adults," said Steve Youngwood, Senior VP for the division. "At E3 we will reveal the breadth of product from our portfolio and the tremendous presence these properties have in videogames," he said.

Titles featured at E3 in our publishing partners' booths are:

FROM PARAMOUNT PICTURES

The Godfather

A non-linear action-adventure game set within the first movie allows players to create their own mob character to have their own experience within the Corleone family as well as reliving some classic moments from the film. Several actors are also lending their voice in addition to their likeness such as James Caan as Sonny Corleone, Robert Duvall as Tom Hagen, and Marlon Brando as Don Corleone.

(Electronic Arts; PlayStation 2, Microsoft Xbox(R), Microsoft Xbox 360(TM), PSP(TM) (PlayStation(R) Portable) entertainment system, Windows PC)

The Warriors

An action-adventure game set in New York City1979. The storyline of the game takes place at night in the sub-culture of gang warfare that takes place throughout Manhattan, the Bronx, and Coney Island.

(Rockstar Games; PlayStation 2, Microsoft Xbox)

War of the Worlds

A 2D side-scroller, War of the Worlds is based on the upcoming motion picture from Paramount Pictures and Dreamworks. The game takes a unique perspective on the genre and story and by allowing the player to wreak havoc on earth as a devastating alien. The game will be released with the movie release on June 29th.

(Gameloft; Mobile)

FROM NICKELODEON MOVIES:

Barnyard

Based on the upcoming movie from Paramount and Nickelodeon Movies, players will interact with their favorite Barnyard characters as they form alliances, join teams, go on quests and play mini-games. The game features a fully interactive, 3D world that will call upon players to prove that they have what it takes to be the biggest party animal of all.

(THQ; PlayStation 2, Nintendo(R) GameCube(TM), Nintendo Game Boy(R) Advance and Windows PC)

A Series of Unfortunate Events: Mini Games

Follow the Baudelaire orphans as their luck goes awfully bad to incredibly worse. Only by combining talents will the orphans stay one step ahead of their distant uncle, the evil Count Olaf. Play as all three kids, navigate through 10 minigames and unlock secret bonus content as you embark on this series of unfortunate challenges! A collection of games ranging from memory challenges to trivia to tricky puzzles, this game has something for everyone.

(Activision: Windows PC)

FROM NICKELODEON:

Tak: The Great Juju Challenge: With the Tak franchise having shipped more than 2 million units worldwide, Tak is back with another highly anticipated adventure as the top teams from Tak's world come to compete in The Great Juju Challenge. Representing the Pupanunu tribe are Tak and Lok who, for the first time in cooperative gameplay, face great adversity in the form of wild animals and menacing new tribes. This exciting adventure combines unique puzzles, time-based strategies and a robust combat system allowing players to hone their skills to rise against the toughest competitors and receive the grandest reward ever given by the Great Jujus!

(THQ: PlayStation 2, Nintendo GameCube, Microsoft Xbox, Nintendo DS(TM) and Game Boy Advance)

SpongeBob SquarePants: Lights, Camera, PANTS!: In the first multiplayer party game based on SpongeBob SquarePants, up to four players can engage in classic SpongeBob-style madness. Fans play in both competitive and cooperative gaming environments to win the ultimate chance to become a cast member as one of 10 different character roles in a special episode of "The Adventures of Mermaid Man & Barnacle Boy."

(THQ: PlayStation 2, Nintendo GameCube, Microsoft Xbox, Windows PC, and Nintendo Game Boy Advance; An additional SpongeBob SquarePants adventure, SpongeBob: The Yellow Avenger, will be available for PSP system and Nintendo DS)

Nicktoons Unite!

For the first time ever, the greatest Nicktoons' villains face off against an all-star team of Nicktoons characters including SpongeBob, Timmy Turner, Jimmy Neutron, and Danny Phantom in an awesome four-person cooperative multiplayer action adventure game! The game features unique combat abilities for each playable character with over 30 usable gadgets and powers selectable among all 4 players. It's good vs. evil where only one set of Nicktoons will prevail.

(THQ; PlayStation 2, Nintendo GameCube, Nintendo DS and Game Boy Advance)

Fairly OddParents: Clash With The Anti-World

An all-new Fairly OddParents adventure with a major twist is launching on Game Boy Advance. Crocker's experiment has backfired and turns Timmy's world into the Anti-World where everything is opposite. Timmy is thrust into an adventure to save the world from the evil Anti-Fairies in this game that features Cosmo and Wanda as playable characters for the first time ever, as well as a wish fulfillment system that turns Timmy into action-hero characters with unique melee attacks.

(THQ; Nintendo Game Boy Advance)

Danny Phantom: The Ultimate Enemy

Danny Phantom's first video game contains all of the superhero action and humor of the TV series and allows players to use Danny's incredible superpowers in an exciting new ghost-catching adventure. The game features fast-paced, side-scrolling action that follows the storyline from "The Ultimate Enemy" episode which will air on Nickelodeon in Fall 2005. Players will be able to experience all of Danny's paranormal powers from the TV show including his ability to fly, walk through walls, shoot ghostly beams and perform the new "Ghostly Wail."

(THQ; Nintendo Game Boy Advance)

FROM NICK JR:

Dora the Explorer: Dance to the Rescue

In partnership with Atari and based on the upcoming direct-to-video episode, Dance to the Rescue marks Dora's fifth PC adventure. When a mean dancing elf tricks Swiper and traps him in a bottle, Dora needs to Dance to the Rescue! Help Dora and Boots move and groove through a pyramid and across an ocean, parachute down to Star Mountain and bike their way up Shape Hill. Along the way Dora will learn the dances she'll need to know to dance her way into the King's Dance Contest and win One Big Wish to save Swiper! Explore the Dance Adventure Center where players can create their own dance scenes, print out dance lessons and make up dance moves!

(Atari; Windows PC)

Dora the Explorer: Journey to the Purple Planet

Join Dora and Boots as they embark on an intergalactic adventure to return some alien friends home to the Purple Planet! Fly through space with Dora and Boots and stop along the way to explore four extraordinary planetary environments. Overcome obstacles, solve puzzles and encounter new alien creatures in this adventure made for all ages.

(2KGames; PlayStation 2)

About Viacom Consumer Products

Viacom Consumer Products is a part of Nickelodeon & Viacom Consumer Products (NVCP). NVCP manages the merchandise licensing, home video, music, book and interactive software businesses for Nickelodeon brands and characters as well as the properties of Comedy Central, Spike TV and MTV Networks International, as well as some non-Viacom properties. In addition, NVCP manages the merchandise, interactive, book, and wireless licensing for Paramount Pictures. The NVCP business represents over $4 billion in retail sales. Nickelodeon, MTV Networks, Paramount Pictures, Comedy Central and Spike TV are trademarks of Viacom International Inc

Source: Viacom

CONTACT: Sara Stern Levin, Nickelodeon, +1-212-846-8670,
Sara.levin@nick.com

Web site: http://www.nick.com/

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