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Chronicles of Riddick Coming to PC

(Press Release)

LOS ANGELES, Calif. – October 15, 2004 - Vivendi Universal Games in association with Vin Diesel’s Tigon Studios are bringing this summer’s hottest console action title to the PC with the announcement of The Chronicles of Riddick: Escape From Butcher Bay –Developer’s Cut. Set before the events of the two films which starred Vin Diesel as the anti-hero Riddick—this summer’s The Chronicles of Riddick and the 2000 cult classic Pitch Black—the new developer’s cut offers players exclusive content in the form of a mech for players to control, as well as a new arena where players can test their survival skills against some of the most hardened criminals in the galaxy.  The highly acclaimed console title, which according to NPD was one of the top ten best selling videogames across all platforms for June, puts players in the role of the enigmatic Riddick and tells the story of Riddick's dramatic escape from the previously inescapable triple max security prison Butcher Bay, home to the most violent convicts in the galaxy. 

“The Chronicles Riddick: Escape From Butcher Bay is widely considered one of the best movie related games ever made and a must-have title for owners of the Xbox,” said Michael Pole, Executive Vice President, Worldwide Studios, Vivendi Universal Games.  " The Chronicles of Riddick: Escape From Butcher Bay – Developer’s Cut continues to push the boundaries of innovation with new content and gameplay that allows players to further explore Riddick’s mysterious past.”

The Chronicles of Riddick: Escape From Butcher Bay – Developer’s Cut immerses players in the savage nightmare of Butcher Bay prison with voice performances by an impressive cast including Vin Diesel as Riddick, Cole Hauser, Kristin Lehman, Xzibit, Ron Perlman and Michael Rooker.  Blending action and stealth elements, the game takes players on a journey through the harsh environments of the slam - dank tunnels, dimly lit corridors, and other hazardous areas filled with enemy guards, savage inmates and deadly creatures that prowl the darkness.  Developed by Starbreeze Studios the game has been rated “M” by the ESRB and is expected to ship in December 2004 at a suggested retail price of $29.95.

"We are excited to extend the Riddick adventure in the gaming space with the release of the Developer's Cut PC version," said Bill Kispert, vice president of Interactive at Universal Studios Consumer Products Group. "Fans of Riddick will be treated to more action, more intense combat, and some very interesting behind-the-scenes detail."

“We envision The Chronicles of Riddick: Escape From Butcher Bay – Developer’s Cut to be the latest iteration in an ongoing franchise of games based-on and inspired by the Riddick universe.” states Cos Lazouras, production executive, Tigon Studios.  “Like the console version, players of the developers cut will be treated to a game that blends multiple gaming genres into one seminal gaming experience.  However, for the developers cut we further refined the experience adding more action, enemies and locations for the player to explore.”

In the game, Richard B. Riddick is an intergalactic convict, who at the game's start, finds himself captured by mercenaries and is 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 primarily from a 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 reprised his star-making Pitch Black role of enigmatic anti-hero Richard B. Riddick in the science fiction action-adventure epic, The Chronicles of Riddick, which will be available on DVD on November 16^th 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.

This film is Rated PG-13 for intense sequences of violent action and some language. Please consult www.filmratings.com for more information.

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 of the extensive catalogue of NBC Universal properties. 

About Universal Studios Consumer Products Group

Universal Studios Consumer Products Group is a unit of NBC Universal, one of the world’s leading media and entertainment companies in the development, production, and marketing of entertainment, news, and information to a global audience. Formed in May 2004 through the combining of NBC and Vivendi Universal Entertainment, NBC Universal owns and operates the No. 1 television network, the fastest-growing Spanish-language network, a valuable portfolio of news and entertainment networks, a premier motion picture company, significant television production operations, a leading television stations group, and world-renowned theme parks. NBC Universal is 80%-owned by General Electric, with 20% controlled by Vivendi Universal.

About Starbreeze

Starbreeze was formed in autumn of 2001 when O3 Games and Starbreeze Studios merged.  The first project for the company was "Enclave", a fantasy action-game. Late in the summer 2002, the Xbox version of "Enclave" was released around the world.  Most recently the company completed work on the highly acclaimed The Chronicles of Riddick: Escape from Butcher Bay for the Xbox.  Today, Starbreeze is one of the largest games developers in the Nordic countries. The company produces three titles in parallel and is developing on all major platforms.  Headquarters and R&D-department is situated in central Uppsala, Sweden.

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, VU Games is a leading global developer, publisher and distributor of multi-platform interactive entertainment. Its development studios and publishing labels include Blizzard Entertainment, Sierra Entertainment, Fox Interactive and Massive Entertainment. VU Games’ library of over 700 titles features multi-million unit selling properties such as Warcraft^®, StarCraft^®, Diablo^® and World of Warcraft^® from Blizzard Entertainment^®; Crash Bandicoot^®, Spyro The Dragon™, Empire Earth^®, Leisure Suit Larry™, Ground Control^® and Tribes^®.