Square Enix, Music World and Sony BMG Music Entertainment Announce Collaboration for New 'Destiny's Child Groove' Mobile Game

Square Enix, Music World and Sony BMG Music Entertainment Announce Collaboration for New 'Destiny's Child Groove' Mobile Game

Groundbreaking 'Dance Battle' Game Features Hits From One of Music's Top-Selling Groups

LOS ANGELES, Nov. 28 /PRNewswire/ -- Square Enix, Inc., the publisher of Square Enix(TM) interactive products in North America, record label Music World, and SONY BMG MUSIC ENTERTAINMENT today announced the development of "Destiny's Child Groove," the first mobile dance game featuring the popular R&B songs of multiple Grammy-winning female group Destiny's Child.

(Logo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20030403/SQUARELOGO )

"Destiny's Child Groove" is a competitive dance game that will feature images of vocalists Beyonce Knowles, Kelly Rowland and Michelle Williams, and four songs from the group's "#1s" album, including "Survivor," "Bug A Boo," "Say My Name" and "Lose My Breath." Synchronizing music, rhythm and gameplay, "Destiny's Child Groove" will take the form of a back-and-forth dance battle in which users compete against A.I. characters.

"We are delighted to be working with Destiny's Child and Square Enix to roll out this innovative new game," said Thomas Hesse, president of Global Digital Business for SONY BMG MUSIC ENTERTAINMENT. "DC Groove will give fans a creative and fun way to connect with one of the most phenomenally talented groups of all time, and the opportunity to experience the thrill of state-of-the-art mobile gaming."

"The beautiful thing about this project is that the main people involved in creating it are youthful. The same goes for the artists, many of their fans, as well as our target gamers," said Shuhei Yamaguchi, Mobile Producer for Square Enix, Inc. "It's a game for the young, created by the young. I'm confident, this landmark project that expands the casual genre of mobile games, will be a hit."

The nationwide roll-out of "Destiny's Child Groove" will begin this winter on most major carriers. Detailed information will be announced at a later date.

About Square Enix Co., Ltd. and Square Enix, Inc.

With headquarters in Tokyo, Japan, Square Enix Co., Ltd. (Square Enix) develops, publishes and distributes entertainment content including interactive entertainment software and publications in Japan, North America, Europe and Asia. Square Enix brings two of Japan's best-selling franchises -- FINAL FANTASY(R), which has sold over 70 million units worldwide, and DRAGON QUEST(R), which has sold over 40 million units worldwide -- under one roof. Square Enix is one of the most influential providers of digital entertainment content in the world and continues to push the boundaries of creativity and innovation.

Square Enix, Inc., is a wholly owned subsidiary of Square Enix Co., Ltd. with offices in Los Angeles, California and Seattle, Washington. It handles operations in North America, including development, localization, marketing and publishing of Square Enix titles. More information on Square Enix can be found on the Internet at www.square-enix.com/na.

About Destiny's Child

Formed in Houston, Texas in 1990, when founding member Beyonce Knowles was 9 years old, Destiny's Child went on to become the top-selling all-female recording group of all-time, according to the World Music Awards. Destiny's Child has earned 35 RIAA gold, platinum and multi-platinum certifications and is tied with the Supremes for releasing the most albums to chart in the Top 5 by a female R&B group. From 1997 until the group announced its "retirement" in 2005, Destiny's Child was honored with an ongoing series of awards and accolades including Soul Train Lady of Soul Awards, Billboard Music Awards (including Top Pop Artist 2000), NAACP Image Awards, BET Awards, World Music Awards (including World's Best-Selling Artist or Group), American Music Awards and Grammy Awards. In March 2006, Destiny's Child received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.

About SONY BMG MUSIC ENTERTAINMENT

SONY BMG MUSIC ENTERTAINMENT is a global recorded music joint venture with a roster of current artists that includes a broad array of both local artists and international superstars, as well as a vast catalogue that comprises some of the most important recordings in history. SONY BMG MUSIC ENTERTAINMENT is 50% owned by Bertelsmann A.G. and 50% owned by Sony Corporation of America.

About Music World Entertainment

Music World Entertainment (MWE) is one of the world's leading entertainment and music conglomerates with global businesses including record labels, artist and producer management and development, a Master catalog series, Urbane Merchandise, investment and property holdings with offices in Houston, Los Angeles, and New York with a London office opening January 2007. MWE was founded by company President and CEO Mathew Knowles, the powerhouse management behind Grammy Award-winners Beyonce and global phenomenon Destiny's Child, the most successful "girl group" in the history of pop music.

Music World Music (MWM), a prominent division of MWE, is one of the most successful labels in the world with over 100 million records sold to date including releases by Destiny's Child, Beyonce, Solange Knowles, Michelle Williams, the "Roll Bounce" soundtrack and many more. Upcoming releases include the "Dreamgirls" soundtrack album, Kids Rap Radio, and the Music World Master Series.

Urbane Merchandise, the tour merchandise arm of MWE, has functioned as tour merchandiser for Jay Z, Destiny's Child, Nelly, Beyonce, R Kelly, and Chris Brown, among many others.

Music World Investment and Properties, a division of MWE headed by Mathew and Beyonce Knowles, specializes in the ownership and development of condominiums and office buildings, including the House of Dereon Media Center, in Houston, Texas.

DRAGON QUEST, FINAL FANTASY, SQUARE ENIX and the Square Enix logo are trademarks or registered trademarks of Square Enix Co., Ltd. in the United States and/or other countries. All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners.

Photo: NewsCom: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20030403/SQUARELOGO
AP Archive: http://photoarchive.ap.org/
PRN Photo Desk, photodesk@prnewswire.com
Source: Square Enix, Inc.

CONTACT: Sonia Im of Square Enix, Inc., +1-310-846-0400,
sonia@square-enix-usa.com; or Patricia Huang, +1-415-677-2732,
patricia.huang@ogilvypr.com, or Keith Carpenter, +1-303-634-2679,
keith.carpenter@ogilvypr.com, both of Ogilvy Worldwide Public Relations, for
Square Enix, Inc.; or John McKay of Sony BMG Music Entertainment,
+1-212-833-5520, john.mckay@sonybmg.com; or Yvette Noel-Schure of Sony Urban
Music, +1-212-833-4483, yvette.noel-schure@sonybmg.com

Web site: http://www.square-enix.com/na

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