Visiware Brings 'The Fast and The Furious' to Interactive TV Gaming

Visiware Brings 'The Fast and The Furious' to Interactive TV Gaming

Inspired by Universal Pictures', 'The Fast and The Furious: Tokyo Drift,' the Game Marks the Third Title Under Worldwide Licensing Agreement With Universal Studios Consumer Products Group

Available Now on Playin'TV in North America and in the Rest of the World This Summer.

SEVRES, France, June 29 /PRNewswire/ -- Further to the license agreement between Visiware and Universal Studios Consumer Products Group to bring the excitement of Universal Pictures properties to interactive TV gaming, Visiware has driven its latest game, "The Fast and the Furious," to the starting line.

Inspired by Universal Pictures' summer action film, "The Fast and the Furious: Tokyo Drift," this sporting arcade game challenges players to experience the exciting atmosphere of the underground Tokyo drift (a form of racing that replaces simple drag racing with a rubber-burning, automotive art form that consists of an exhilarating balance of speeding and gliding through a heart-stopping course of hairpin turns and switchbacks) racing world -- all on their television screens. The game features three different modes in which the goal is to become the new Drift King. In "Drift King" mode, players race head-to-head against one to three opponents. In "Pursuit" mode, players must prevent their opponents from catching their car, while in "Time Attack" mode, players strive to set the fastest lap time. Authentic sound effects and images from the film are featured in the game.

"We are happy to be partners with a group that has really made efforts to understand the interactive TV gaming market," said Laurant Weill, chairman of Visiware. "It is a pleasure to work with Universal's creative and professional team, especially on such an exciting project as 'The Fast and the Furious.' We believe this is the best racing game available to date on interactive TV."

"The new film is an adrenaline ride, and Visiware embraced the challenge of creating an innovative racing game for iTV," said Bill Kispert, vice president, interactive, Universal Studios Consumer Products Group. "Whether racing against the clock, or fender to fender with an opponent, it's fantastic that players can become armchair racers -- and experience 'The Fast and the Furious' brand -- all with a click of their TV remote controls."

Added Jon Dakss, director of interactive TV, NBC Universal, "Visiware continues to push the boundaries of gameplay on the iTV platform. This game has wonderful balance, and will appeal to racing fans and casual gamers alike."

"The Fast and the Furious" is the third game released by Visiware in collaboration with Universal Studios Consumer Products Group. The first two games developed under the partnership were based on King Kong -- including a quiz game and an arcade game -- with Playin'TV players responding extremely favorably to the latter for its addictive gameplay. Visiware will develop additional games based on Universal properties over the next six months.

All of the games developed under the deal will be broadcast on Visiware's Playin'TV channel, available today in 77 countries on 33 networks. Interactive television games are accessed by consumers via television set top boxes.

About "The Fast and the Furious: Tokyo Drift"

From the producer of the worldwide blockbuster hits "The Fast and The Furious" and its sequel, "2 Fast 2 Furious," comes the latest installment of the adrenaline-inducing series built on speed -- "The Fast and The Furious: Tokyo Drift." Set in the sexy and colorful underground world of Japanese drift racing, the newest and fastest customized rides go head-to-head on some of the most perilous courses in the world.

Sean Boswell (Lucas Black) is an outsider who attempts to define himself as a hot-headed, underdog street racer. Although racing provides a temporary escape from an unhappy home and the superficial world around him, it has also made Sean unpopular with the local authorities. To avoid jail time, Sean is sent to live with his gruff, estranged father, a career military-man stationed in Tokyo.

Now officially a gaijin (outsider), Sean feels even more shut out in a land of foreign customs and codes of honor. But it doesn't take long for him to find some action when a fellow American buddy, Twinkie (Bow Wow), introduces him to the underground world of drift racing. Sean's simple drag racing gets replaced by a rubber-burning, automotive art form -- with an exhilarating balance of speeding and gliding through a heart-stopping course of hairpin turns and switchbacks.

On his first time out drifting, Sean unknowingly takes on D.K., the "Drift King," a local champ with ties to the Japanese crime machine Yakuza. Sean's loss comes at a high price tag when he's forced to work off the debt under the thumb of ex-pat, Han (Sung Kang). Han soon welcomes Sean into this family of misfits and introduces him to the real principles of drifting. But when Sean falls for D.K.'s girlfriend, Neela (newcomer Nathalie Kelley), an explosive series of events is set into motion, climaxing with an ultimate high stakes face off.

"The Fast and The Furious: Tokyo Drift" is directed by Justin Lin ("Better Luck Tomorrow," "Annapolis") and written by Chris Morgan ("Cellular"), Kario Salem ("The Score") and Alfredo Botello. The film is produced by Neal H. Moritz ("xXx," "S.W.A.T.") and executive produced by Clayton Townsend ("The Skeleton Key," "The 40 Year-Old Virgin").

About Universal Studios Consumer Products Group

Universal Studios Consumer Products Group is responsible for global licensing and retail strategies as well as building brand recognition of the extensive catalogue of NBC Universal properties. Universal Studios Consumer Products Group is a unit of NBC Universal, one of the world's leading media and entertainment companies in the development, production, and marketing of entertainment, news, and information to a global audience. Formed in May 2004 through the combining of NBC and Vivendi, NBC Universal owns and operates a valuable portfolio of news and entertainment networks, a premier motion picture company, significant television production operations, a leading television stations group, and world-renowned theme parks. NBC Universal is 80%-owned by General Electric, with 20% owned by Vivendi.

About Visiware

Visiware is the world-leading provider of interactive TV games with it's Playin'TV product reaching more than 120 million people in 45 million households in 77 countries and via 33 networks. Playin'TV has an extensive game catalogue, featuring more than 150 titles in various genres: classics such as Scrabble; card and board games (Solitaire, Blackjack, Backgammon, Chess); action and adventure; sports (Tennis, Golf, Football); strategic games; puzzles and educational games. All games addressed to casual players and suitable for all ages.

CONTACT:

Lara Lerville
Business Development
+331 46 29 39 28
LLerville@visiware.com

Source: Universal Studios Consumer Products Group

CONTACT: Lara Lerville, Business Development of Visiware,
+331 46 29 39 28, LLerville@visiware.com

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