LADYDRAGON.COM - SAMMY STUDIOS BRINGING EMMY-WINNING POLICE ACTION-DRAMA THE SHIELD TO VIDEO GAMES

Wednesday March 03, 2004

SAMMY STUDIOS BRINGING EMMY-WINNING POLICE ACTION-DRAMA THE SHIELD TO VIDEO GAMES

Company Working Closely with Fox Television Studios, Enlisting Creators for Console Game Based on Gritty Cop Show

Sammy Studios, Inc., a developer, publisher and global distributor of interactive entertainment content, today announced the upcoming video game based on the award-winning Fox Television Studios police show THE SHIELD. The Emmy® and Golden Globe® winning series has become one of the most talked about shows on television. The always gritty, often trailblazing series follows hard-nosed police detective Vic Mackey and his special unit Strike Team.

Assigned to the toughest criminal syndicates, Vic and the Strike Team define a new form of policing on THE SHIELD, forming a virtual bulwark against what they perceive as civil degradation in Farmington. To create an authentic video game experience based on the show, Sammy Studios is working closely with Fox Television Studios and the show's creators. THE SHIELD video game is being developed by Point Of View, Inc., and is slated for release on home consoles in Spring 2005. This game is not yet rated.

"The Shield is that rare television show that doesn't just break boundaries, it creates new ones," said Tim Pivnicny, senior VP of sales and marketing, Sammy Studios, Inc. "We intend to do the same with the game, bringing new gameplay mechanics to create the first truly gritty police action game, and enlisting the show's creators for production value on par with that of the award-winning series."

For the video game, Sammy Studios and Point Of View are capturing the look, feel, and authenticity of THE SHIELD television series in a 3rd-person action game. Never-before-seen gameplay elements will create the first true-to-life police action game, and moments taken directly from the series will immerse players in the disturbing Farmington underworld now recognized by millions as Vic Mackey's universe. Players will control Vic in a living, breathing Farmington, engaging in perilous assignments ranging from busting crack dens to thwarting bank robberies.

Much like the series, Vic and the Strike Team will delve into the grayest areas of the law, fighting a war on crime where the ends justify the means. In addition to the raw action that undergirds the gameplay, players will be able to employ tactics used by Vic on the show, including intimidating suspects, employing brute force, accepting and offering bribes and planting incriminating evidence. The game will also let players choose between the right and wrong side of the law, with Vic walking a thin line while trying to accomplish missions, maintain the respect of his men, keep his politically ambitious police captain happy, pad his retirement fund and, above all, avoid Internal Affairs.

Sammy Studios is working in cooperation with the show's creators to ensure that the game recreates the same action and visceral emotional impact as the show. THE SHIELD has grown tremendously in popularity in just two seasons, enjoying a 24% growth in average viewers in the male 18-34 demographic between season one and two. With an average of 3.3 million viewers Tuesdays at 10 PM for season two, THE SHIELD maintained its position as the most watched original drama series in basic cable.

THE SHIELD returns to FX for its third season beginning on Tuesday, March 9 at 10 PM ET/PT.

About THE SHIELD

THE SHIELD, FX's first original drama series, made history by becoming the first ad-supported cable series to win the 2003 Golden Globe® Award for Best Drama Series. In its first season, Shawn Ryan (Writing) and Clark Johnson (Directing) received Emmy® nominations, which were also firsts for basic cable in those categories. THE SHIELD has received two TCA nominations for Outstanding Achievement in Drama as well as a 2003 Diversity Award for Outstanding Television Ensemble Award. Series star, Michael Chiklis received the 2003 Golden Globe® Award, 2002 Emmy® Award and 2002 Television Critics Association Award for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series, also basic cable firsts. Michael Chiklis received his second consecutive Emmy and Golden Globe nominations for his work on season two, as well as a SAG nomination. Executive Producers of THE SHIELD are Shawn Ryan and Scott Brazil. It is produced by Fox Television Studios in association with Sony Pictures Television.

About Sammy Studios, Inc.

Sammy Studios was founded in 2002 as the global videogame development and publishing subsidiary of Sammy Corporation. Sammy Studios is responsible for internal and external videogame development and publishing business in North America and Europe. The company's headquarters is a state-of-the-art development complex in Carlsbad, California, with an office in Los Angeles handling licensing and business development. Later this year Sammy Studios will release its first internally developed videogame, along with the biggest portfolio of externally developed games ever to be published under its brand. The company is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Sammy Corporation of Tokyo, Japan, an entertainment and amusement conglomerate that is one of the top-rated companies traded on the First Section of the Tokyo Stock Exchange. For more information, please visit www.sammystudios.com

About Fox Interactive

A recognized industry leader, Fox Interactive, a division of Twentieth Century Fox Licensing and Merchandising, licenses video and computer game software for a variety of Fox entertainment properties worldwide on behalf of Twentieth Century Fox Film Corporation, Twentieth Television and Fox Broadcasting Company. Fox Interactive hit releases include: The Simpsons Hit & Run, Buffy the Vampire Slayer: Chaos Bleeds, and Aliens versus Predator 1 & 2.

About Fox Television Studios

Fox Television Studios is an independent unit of the Fox Entertainment Group that produces a broad range of television programming for the U.S. and global markets. Its five divisions consist of: (1) Network Primetime Series through its partnership with Regency Television ("Malcolm in the Middle;" "The Bernie Mac Show"); (2) Alternative and Unscripted Programs ("The Shield") ; (3) International/local production and formats through Fox World ("Temptation Island" and "My Big Fat Obnoxious Fiancée); (4) Non-Fiction ("Biography and "The Most Extreme"); and (5) Original Movies ("44 Minutes;" "Twelve Mile Road"). In recent years, its cutting-edge programs have won multiple Emmy, Golden Globe, Peabody, Humanitas and other awards.