Vivendi Universal Games Becomes 'Vivendi Games'

LOS ANGELES, May 1 /PRNewswire/ -- Vivendi Universal Games today announced its new name, Vivendi Games ("VG"). The name change follows the parent company's announcement on April 20 that "Vivendi Universal" has become "Vivendi." Under its new name, Vivendi Games will compete in all areas of the video games industry, developing and publishing the highest quality franchises for all gamers.

"This has been a time of renewal for our company and we have emerged as a leader in creativity and innovation," said Bruce Hack, CEO of Vivendi Games. "The adoption of the name 'Vivendi Games' marks a new chapter in our history, as we make Vivendi Games synonymous around the globe with top quality interactive entertainment."

Vivendi Games operates with four centers of creativity. Blizzard Entertainment publishes World of Warcraft(R) the world's most popular subscription-based massively multiplayer online role-playing game (MMORPG) with over 6.5 million subscribers: its upcoming expansion, The Burning Crusade(TM); and the award winning Diablo(R), StarCraft(R), and Warcraft(R) franchises. Sierra Entertainment includes Radical Entertainment, Swordfish Studios, High Moon Studios, and Massive Entertainment, and has relationships with top external studios. It is the publisher of Scarface(TM): The World Is Yours, Eragon(TM), F.E.A.R.(TM) World in Conflict(TM), Crash Bandicoot(R), Spyro The Dragon(R), Timeshift(TM), 50 Cent: Bulletproof and Miami Vice(TM) The Game.

Vivendi Games also recently announced the formation of two new divisions: Vivendi Mobile Games which publishes games for the fast growing mobile market and Sierra Online which is dedicated to publishing casual games for online play and distribution on all platforms.

About Vivendi Games

Vivendi Games (www.vivendigames.com) is a global developer, publisher and distributor of multi-platform interactive entertainment. The company is the leader in the subscription-based massively multi-player online role-playing games (MMORPG) category, holds leading positions in the PC, console, handheld and mobile games markets, and is an emerging player in casual online games. Vivendi Games' two principal studios and publishing labels include Blizzard Entertainment, headquartered in Irvine, CA, the creator of World of Warcraft(R), Diablo(R), StarCraft(R), and Warcraft(R); and Sierra Entertainment, headquartered in Los Angeles, which includes Radical Entertainment, Swordfish Studios, High Moon Studios, and Massive Entertainment. Sierra's IPs include Crash Bandicoot(R), Spyro The Dragon(R), Empire Earth(R), SWAT(R), Darkwatch(TM), Timeshift(TM), Ground Control(R) and Leisure Suit Larry(R). Vivendi Games is also home to Vivendi Mobile Games, publishing games for the emerging mobile market, and Sierra Online, dedicated to publishing casual games for online play and distribution on all platforms. Vivendi Games maintains strategic relationships with industry leading content partners, including Universal Music Group, NBC Universal, Twentieth Century Fox, and Ludlum Entertainment. The company has 16 offices around the world conducting business in 75 countries.