LADYDRAGON.COM - The Chronicles of Riddick: Escape From Butcher Bay

Thursday March 11, 2004

The Chronicles of Riddick: Escape From Butcher Bay

Vivendi Universal Games in association with Tigon Studios is bringing gamers an intense sci-fi experience from the point-of-view of the most wanted man in the Universe with the new videogame, The Chronicles of Riddick: Escape From Butcher Bay, which will be available on the Xbox video game system from Microsoft. Set before the events of both Universal Pictures' upcoming summer release The Chronicles of Riddick, starring Vin Diesel, and the 2000 cult classic Pitch Black, which first introduced Diesel as enigmatic anti-hero Riddick, the game tells the story of Riddick's dramatic escape from the previously inescapable triple max security slam Butcher Bay, home to the most violent prisoners in the galaxy.

The Chronicles Riddick: Escape From Butcher Bay will blend action and stealth elements, as players navigate Riddick through the harsh environments of the slam - dank tunnels, dimly lit corridors, and other hazardous areas filled with guards, savage inmates and deadly creatures that prowl the darkness. Developed by Starbreeze Studios, and published by Vivendi Universal Games in association with Vin Diesel's Tigon Studios, the game has been rated “M” by the ESRB and is expected to ship in June 2004 at a suggested retail price of $49.95.

"The Chronicles of Riddick: Escape from Butcher Bay is an exciting new chapter in the story of one of the most enigmatic and compelling anti-heroes of this generation," said Luc Vanhal, president and chief operating officer, North America, Vivendi Universal Games. "With groundbreaking 3D technology, and a truly revolutionary game design that fuses frenetic FPS action, stealth, and brutal hand-to-hand combat, this title is on track to be one of the great games of 2004."

"This game is intense in every facet, from action game-play to incredible graphics and chilling psychological moments," said Bill Kispert, vice president, Interactive, Universal Studios Consumer Products Group. "It is an integral experience in understanding the ever-growing mythology of the Riddick universe."

“The Chronicles of Riddick: Escape from Butcher Bay features an original storyline that provides insight into how Riddick evolved into such a complex character,” said Cos Lazouras, production executive, Tigon Studios. “The game reveals secrets about Riddick’s past as well as his epic destiny to come."

In the game, Richard B. Riddick is an intergalactic convict who at the game's start, finds himself captured by mercenaries and locked down in the toughest prison in the galaxy. As this least likely of heroes, players must draw on their character's brains and brutality and attempt the unthinkable - escape from Butcher Bay. Played from a primarily first-person perspective (with special third- person actions), players will have to make maximum use of their environments to achieve their escape, including using shadows, subterfuge and distractions to avoid patrols. Moving and attacking in darkness is particularly effective for Riddick as his haunting "eye shine" gives him the ability to see without ambient light. However, stealth won't serve every situation and players will be able to take the action up close and personal. As Riddick, players will be able to sneak up behind enemies and snap necks or fight face to face using fists, elbows and grapples. Additionally, players will be able to capture weapons such as shanks, shotguns, or assault rifles and use these to cut a swath of destruction through anyone who gets in their way.

About The Chronicles of Riddick

Vin Diesel reprises his star-making Pitch Black role of enigmatic anti-hero Richard B. Riddick in the new science fiction action-adventure epic, The Chronicles of Riddick, opening June 11, 2004. From Universal Pictures, in association with Radar Pictures and One Race Productions, The Chronicles of Riddick stars Colm Feore, Alexa Davalos, Karl Urban, Linus Roache, Thandie Newton and Dame Judi Dench.

Riddick has spent the last five years on the move among the forgotten worlds on the outskirts of the galaxy, eluding mercenaries bent on collecting the price on his head. Now, the fugitive finds himself on planet Helion, home to a progressive multicultural society that has been invaded by the Lord Marshal, a despot who targets humans for subjugation with his army of warriors known as Necromongers.

Exiled to a subterranean prison where extremes of temperature range from arctic nights to volcanic days, Riddick encounters Kyra, the lone survivor from an earlier chapter in his life. His efforts to free himself and Kyra lead him to the Necromonger command ship, where he is pitted against the Lord Marshal in an apocalyptic battle with possibly the fate of all beings-both living and dead-hanging in the balance.

Written and directed by David Twohy, The Chronicles of Riddick is produced by Scott Kroopf and Vin Diesel. Ted Field, George Zakk and David Womark serve as executive producers.

A Note to Parents: consult www.filmratings.com for information regarding movie ratings in making viewing choices for children.

Riddick is licensed by Universal Studios Consumer Products Group (USCPG), which is responsible for global licensing and retail strategies as well as building brand recognition. USCPG is a unit of Universal Pictures, a division of Vivendi UNIVERSAL Entertainment (VUE) (www.universalstudios.com), the U.S.-based film, television and recreation entity of Vivendi Universal, a global media and communications company.

About Xbox

Xbox (http://www.xbox.com/) is Microsoft’s future-generation video game system that delivers the most powerful games experiences ever. Xbox empowers game artists by giving them the technology to fulfill their creative visions as never before, creating games that blur the lines between fantasy and reality. Xbox is now available in the continents of North America, Europe, Asia and Australia.

About Tigon Studios

Founded by Vin Diesel in 2002, Tigon Studios (www.tigonstudios.com) is a game production company that strives to break new ground in interactive entertainment by combining key film components with unique game play, cutting edge technology and high production values. Tigon Studios will develop original games as well as be actively involved in the development process of video games based on motion pictures featuring Vin Diesel as the lead actor.

About Vivendi Universal Games

Headquartered in Los Angeles, Vivendi Universal Games (www.vugames.com) is a global leader in multi-platform interactive entertainment. The company develops, publishes and distributes interactive products across all major platforms including PCs, video game consoles and the Internet. Vivendi Universal Games’ portfolio of development studios and publishing labels includes Blizzard Entertainment, Coktel, Fox Interactive, Knowledge Adventure, Massive Entertainment and Sierra Entertainment. Additionally, Vivendi Universal Games co-publishes and/or distributes titles for a number of strategic partners, including Interplay, inXile entertainment, Majesco and Mythic Entertainment, among others.