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EA
& Koei Inks Distribution Agreement for Samurai Warriors
(Press
Release)
REDWOOD
CITY, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Feb. 24, 2004--Electronic Arts (Nasdaq:ERTS),
the world's leading interactive entertainment software company today
announced that it has signed a North American distribution agreement
with KOEI Corporation for the upcoming tactical action game, Samurai
Warriors(TM). Samurai Warriors is developed by Koei's internal
development team Omega Force, the studio behind the award-winning
Dynasty Warriors series, and is slated for release on the
PlayStation(R)2 computer entertainment system in May 2004.
"We
are delighted to be partnering with Electronic Arts for the distribution
of Samurai Warriors," said Amos Ip, Vice-President of Sales &
Marketing for KOEI Corporation. "Backed by EA's unparalleled
distribution reach and first-rate marketing, this exceptional game has
the opportunity to reach and move, millions of people."
"With
its fervent action, storied narrative and top quality production values,
Samurai Warriors is an outstanding addition to the EA Partners
distribution catalogue," said John Riccitiello, President and Chief
Operating Office of Electronic Arts. "We are thrilled to be working
with KOEI to deliver this masterful game to a mass audience."
Set
in Feudal Japan, the adventure begins in 1467 after the political power
of the Ashikaga Shogunate collapsed and the islands of Japan erupted
into a series of civil wars. This era in Japanese history became known
as the Sengoku or "warring states" period. Players control
Sanada Yukimura, who leads an elite band of samurai and ninja through
the hallowed Japanese battlefields of Okehazama, Kawanakajima and inside
the embattled walls of Osaka Castle. The epic tale unfolds as players
come face to face with gun-toting troops, echelons of ninja, and deadly
kunoichi (female ninja) in both historic and fictional battles. With an
Active Mission System that triggers distinct missions during every
battle, hundreds of different mini-missions within the larger epic
battles, randomly changing castle layouts as well as multiplayer
support, Samurai Warriors promises to be an unforgettable action
adventure.
ABOUT
ELECTRONIC ARTS
Electronic
Arts Inc. (EA), headquartered in Redwood City, California, is the
world's leading interactive entertainment software company. Founded in
1982, Electronic Arts posted revenues of $2.5 billion for fiscal 2003.
The company develops, publishes and distributes interactive software
worldwide for video game systems, personal computers and the Internet.
Electronic Arts markets its products under three brand names: EA
SPORTS(TM), EA GAMES(TM), and EA SPORTS BIG(TM). EA's homepage and
online game site is www.ea.com. More information about EA's products and
full text of press releases can be found on the Internet at http://info.ea.com.
ABOUT EA PARTNERS
EA
Partners complements the company's extensive portfolio of licensed and
wholly-owned game franchises. EA currently has relationships with more
than 12 developers and publishers including Digital Illusions, C.E.,
Buena Vista Games (Disney Interactive), Krome Studios, LEGO Interactive,
IO Interactive, Warner Brothers Interactive, Lionhead Studios and
regional publishing relationships with companies including NovaLogic,
Capcom, NAMCO and Square Enix. In 2002, EA and Digital Illusions, C.E.
of Gothenburg Sweden published Battlefield 1942 - an award winning PC
multi-player game that achieved worldwide commercial success.
About
KOEI Corporation
KOEI
Corporation, the North American subsidiary of KOEI Co., Ltd. of Japan,
established operations in 1988. Based in the San Francisco Bay Area, the
company is now in its sixteenth year and is recognized as a leader in
the highly competitive video game industry.
KOEI
is respected worldwide as the premier brand for Strategy and Simulation
games, and is recognized as the innovator of the Tactical Action genre.
The company's Dynasty Warriors(R) series has generated nearly 6 million
units in sales worldwide, since releasing for the PlayStation game
consoles in 1997.
KOEI
maintains operations in Japan, the U.S., the U.K., Canada, China, Korea
and Taiwan. KOEI employs over six hundred people worldwide, with sales
exceeding $200 million. The company constantly seeks the fine balance
between entertainment, technology, art and education, and provides games
that will mesmerize gamers across the globe. More information about KOEI
and its products can be found on the company's websites, located at
www.koei.com, www.koei.co.uk, and www.koei.co.jp.
Electronic
Arts, EA, EA SPORTS, EA SPORTS BIG, and EA GAMES are trademarks or
registered trademarks of Electronic Arts Inc. in the U.S. and/or other
countries.
Samurai
Warriors, Sengoku Musou, Dynasty Warriors, and the KOEI logo are
registered trademarks or trademarks of KOEI Co., Ltd. in Japan and/or
other countries. (C)2004 KOEI Co., Ltd. All rights reserved. PlayStation
is a registered trademark of Sony Computer Entertainment Inc. All other
trademarks are the property of their respective owners.