Robotech. Do I need to say more?
The Saga Begins ... TDK Mediactive and Mattel Take the Wraps Off the Long-Awaited `Robotech' Video Games
Coming This Fall for PlayStation(R) 2, Xbox(TM), Nintendo GameCube(TM) and Game Boy(R) Advance
CALABASAS, Calif. April 11, 2002 - TDK Mediactive, Inc. (OTC:TDKM), a global publisher of entertainment software, and Mattel, Inc. (NYSE:MAT), the worldwide leader in the design, manufacture and marketing of toy products, are pleased to announce that "Robotech: Battlecry " for the PlayStation(R) 2 computer entertainment system, Xbox(TM) video game system from Microsoft, and the Nintendo GameCube(TM) video game system, as well as "Robotech: The Macross Saga" for Game Boy(R) Advance, will be released this fall. Based on one of the most successful animated series in the United States, "Robotech: Battlecry" is visually spectacular, featuring the fast-paced action and sweeping drama of the popular television show.
"We are extremely pleased about our partnership with Mattel and Harmony Gold along with developer Vicious Cycle," said Vincent Bitetti, chief executive officer of TDK Mediactive. "Our upcoming games have captured the dramatic storyline, art direction and amazing battle sequences that characterize the `Robotech' universe."
"`Robotech' is a phenomenal brand with great potential -- the games will appeal to many audiences -- everyone from fans of the original TV series to core gamers to the casual consumer," said Amy Boylan, senior vice president of New Media at Mattel, Inc. "With the popularity of anime and giant mechs on the rise, `Robotech' is poised to become one of the standout games this year."
About "Robotech: Battlecry"
A mission-driven action title, "Robotech" embodies the classic mecha-filled mayhem of the animated series. Featuring all-encompassing destruction on a giant scale, "Robotech" is a high-octane arcade shooter that captures the television show's spectacular visuals and epic storyline.
As an intrepid fighter pilot, the player must protect cities of Earth from roving bands of a giant alien race, the Zentraedi. The player pilots the versatile Veritech Fighter, a giant transformable mechanized robot that can convert into a high-flying jet fighter, a 40-foot tall humanoid robot, and a combination of both. Each transformation mode offers new movement options, special abilities or weapons.
To succeed in battle, the player must use more than one mode to complete their assigned objectives. In keeping with the "Robotech" identity, the environments, mecha, characters and overall appearance are modeled directly from the stylized look of the highly regarded animated series.
Features for "Robotech: Battlecry" include:
Myriad of environments, including deep space and crowded cities
Three transformation modes, including Fighter (fighter plane), Battloid (humanoid robot) and Guardian (combination of both), each with individual strengths and weaknesses
Intense arcade action and awesome Cel Shaded graphics
Eight different arcade shooter gameplay elements, including search and destroy, guard, attrition and escort
About the "Robotech" Brand
Produced by Harmony Gold in 1985, "Robotech" fueled the transforming robot craze and drew legions of loyal fans with its richly detailed Japanese animation featuring dazzling science-fiction drama. "Robotech" continues to be one of the most recognized animated television series to this day. Its ground-breaking production design also launched a worldwide licensing phenomenon that has spawned several toy lines, musical soundtracks, dozens of novels, role-playing games, collectibles and apparel, and over 300 comic books. More information about Robotech is available at www.robotech.com.
About Harmony Gold
Formed in 1983, Harmony Gold is a leading production, acquisition and distribution company of quality international television programming, producing some of the most classic and history-making programs in the industry. Harmony Gold is a division of The Harmony Gold Companies, whose interests range from theater management, real estate and finance to film and television production.
About Mattel Boys/Entertainment
Mattel's Boys/Entertainment division's portfolio of global brands includes some of the most popular products in the toy industry today. The division is composed of three segments: Wheels, Entertainment and Games. The Wheels segment includes Hot Wheels, the No. 1-selling toy across all categories in the toy industry; Matchbox(R); and Tyco(R) R/C. Mattel Wheels appeals to guys ages 2 to 92 with toys, consumer products and collectibles. Mattel's exciting entertainment-inspired licensed toy lines include: Harry Potter(TM); Nickelodeon's Rugrats(TM), Jimmy Neutron, Boy Genius(TM), Rocket Power(TM), The Wild Thornberrys(TM) and SpongeBob SquarePants(TM); as well as Mattel Action brands: Rock 'em Sock 'em(TM) Robots, Masters of the Universe(R) and Max Steel(TM). Mattel's Games include favorite classics such as UNO(R), Magic 8 Ball(R), Skip Bo(R), Ker Plunk!(R), Toss Across(R), Fisher-Price(R), Disney Games and the international rights to Scrabble(R). Mattel has offices and facilities in 36 countries and sells its products in more that 150 nations throughout the world.
About TDK Mediactive, Inc.
Southern California-based TDK Mediactive, Inc. is a global publisher of high-quality entertainment software for current and next-generation video game systems. The Company's games are based on original and licensed content derived from major motion pictures, video franchises, popular literature and popular culture. TDK Mediactive has exclusive technology and content licenses with Sony Computer Entertainment America Inc., Microsoft Corporation, Nintendo of America Inc., DreamWorks SKG, Universal Studios, Mattel, Inc., Classic Media, R & S Trading, BKN International, DC Comics, Hallmark Entertainment Distribution, BDSP and others.
TDK Mediactive is part of TDK Corporation's global effort to expand its offerings to consumers of entertainment-oriented products. More information about TDK Mediactive and its products is available at www.tdk-mediactive.com.
(c)1985, 2002, Harmony Gold USA, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Robotech and associated trademarks and characters are owned by Harmony Gold USA, Inc.
Mattel and associated trademarks are owned by Mattel, Inc. PlayStation is a registered trademark of Sony Computer Entertainment Inc. Nintendo, GameCube and Game Boy are trademarks of Nintendo of America Inc. Microsoft and Xbox are either registered trademarks or trademarks of Microsoft Corporation in the U.S. and/or other countries.
This release contains forward-looking statements. These statements are subject to certain risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those anticipated in the forward-looking statements. Readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements, which reflect management's view only as of the date hereof. The Company undertakes no obligation to publicly revise these forward-looking statements to reflect subsequent events or circumstances. Readers should carefully review the risk factors described in the documents the Company files from time to time with the Securities and Exchange Commission. All anticipated products, platforms, release dates and ratings are anticipated and reflect management's view only as of the date hereof. Additional platforms for the above titles may be announced.
