LADYDRAGON.COM - Sony Computer Entertainment America Collaborates With Jet Li On New Action-Adventure Game for PlayStation(R)2

Sony Computer Entertainment America Collaborates With Jet Li On New Action-Adventure Game for PlayStation(R)2

Foster City Studio Unveils Rise to Honor(TM), an Interactive Experience Inspired by the Hong Kong Action Movie Genre

Sony Computer Entertainment America Inc. announced today the Fall 2003 release of Rise to Honor(TM) (working title), a fast-paced action-adventure game inspired by the excitement and cinematic styling of the Hong Kong action movie genre, developed exclusively for the PlayStation(R)2 computer entertainment system.

Created by Sony Computer Entertainment America's Foster City Studio in collaboration with action star Jet Li (The One, Kiss of the Dragon, Lethal Weapon 4, The Bodyguard from Beijing, Fist of Legend, Shaolin Temple), Rise to Honor will immerse players into a chain of lethal missions that extend from Hong Kong to San Francisco.

Rise to Honor is set to inject a new level of realism into the action-adventure genre by incorporating signature movements of Jet Li into the game through motion capture that delivers a completely authentic recreation of Li's performance. Acclaimed fight choreographer Cory Yuen, who has partnered with Li on many projects including The One, Kiss of the Dragon and Lethal Weapon 4, is working with the development team to choreograph the action sequences for Rise to Honor. In addition to his motion capture performance, Li is providing voiceover for the main character in the game, as well as contributing to the creative direction of the project.

"When we began the concept stages for Rise to Honor more than three years ago, we knew we wanted it to be based on the style of a Hong Kong action movie. We had Jet Li posters all over the studio and were referencing his movies for everything we had planned in the game," said Jim Wallace, associate director, Foster City Studio.

"We were thrilled when we found out that Jet was interested in collaborating on a PlayStation 2 project, knowing that his creative input on Rise To Honor would help us to truly realize our vision for this ambitious game."

"Working with the Foster City Studio team to create a game for PlayStation 2 has been an exciting experience -- very different from making a movie," said Jet Li. "The motion-capture system allows for extremely realistic movements and, in addition, we were able to use a lot of actions in the game that we can't normally put in a film. The results in the final game should provide the player with a genuine feel for the action."

Rise to Honor follows the story of Kit Yun (Jet Li), the trusted bodyguard of Boss Chiang, the leader of one of Hong Kong's crime gangs. Following the assassination of Chiang, Yun is ordered by two diametrically opposed sources to seek out Chiang's daughter in the United States and return her safely to Hong Kong. These orders are given by Kwan, an aspiring power broker who appoints himself the family leader after Chiang's demise, and Captain Lau -- Yun's boss in the legitimate world of the Hong Kong Organized Crime Bureau.

Yun embarks on the dangerous journey to seek out Chiang's daughter, Michelle, in San Francisco and return her safely to Hong Kong, entangling himself in a web of alliances and hidden agendas.

The independent Entertainment Software Rating Board (ESRB) has not yet rated Rise To Honor. For more information about the ESRB visit www.esrb.org

Jet Li has just completed production on the Warner Bothers project, Cradle in the Grave for Joel Silver and will star in the upcoming Miramax epic film, Hero, directed by Zhang Yimou.