Video Game Based on Highly Anticipated Film from New Line Cinema Now Available on Multiple Platforms
SAN FRANCISCO (December 4, 2007) – SEGA® of America, Inc. today shipped the video game adaptation of the highly anticipated theatrical release, The Golden Compass, based on the first book in Philip Pullman’s award-winning trilogy, His Dark Materials. The game will be available for the Xbox 360® video game and entertainment system, the Wii™ home video game system, the PLAYSTATION®3 computer entertainment system, the PlayStation®2 computer entertainment system, the Nintendo DS™ portable handheld system, the PSP® (PlayStation®Portable) system and PC.
Featuring plot lines and environments taken straight from the movie, the game allows fans of the movie and book to take control of the story and drive the action. The vivid characters are brought to interactive life featuring the likenesses of the movie’s impressive cast, which includes Academy Award® winner Nicole Kidman as Mrs. Coulter, Daniel Craig as Lord Asriel and newcomer Dakota Blue Richards as Lyra Belacqua.
“The Golden Compass is one of the most beloved books of all time, and the movie is sure to be the smash hit of the holiday season” said Don Mesa, Marketing Director, SEGA of America. “The video game will stay true to the story while allowing fans of both the book and the movie to actively participate in this fantastic universe for the first time ever.”
The Golden Compass is an exciting adventure set in a parallel world where people’s souls are manifested as companion animals called “dæmons.” The dæmons take on different forms depending on the mood and actions of the human to which they are connected. Other characters in this fantastic world include talking and warring polar bears, nomadic tribes and witches. At the center of the story is Lyra, who starts out trying to rescue a friend who has been kidnapped by a mysterious organization known as the Gobblers – and winds up on an epic quest to save the world. Players can assume the role of Lyra, or Iorek Byrnison, a great Armored Ice Bear who joins the quest.
As Lyra, players will use her shape-shifting dæmon Pan and collaborate with in-game characters in order to explore, evade, and deceive their way through confrontations with the child-stealing Gobblers, the evil organization known as the Magisterium, and the dangerous Spy Flys to find her friend. As the powerful Iorek, players will battle using special attacks to protect Lyra during the journey. Gamers will be able to unlock secrets and mini-games using a mysterious, truth-telling device called the Alethiometer, or “Golden Compass”. Players can venture through 11 vast locations, including all-new breath-taking environments not seen in the film, on this massive journey of collaboration, exploration and the eternal struggle between good and evil.
Developed by Shiny Entertainment, The Golden Compass video game is rated “E10+” by the ESRB. The Nintendo DS version is developed by A2M. For more information on The Golden Compass, please visit the official movie site at http://www.goldencompassmovie.com/, the official video game site at http://www.goldencompassgame.com or the SEGA Press FTP site at http://segapr.segaamerica.com/
About SEGA of America Inc.:
SEGA® of America, Inc. is the American arm of Tokyo, Japan-based SEGA Corporation, a worldwide leader in interactive entertainment both inside and outside the home. The company develops, publishes and distributes interactive entertainment software products for a variety of hardware platforms including PC, wireless devices, and those manufactured by Nintendo, Microsoft and Sony Computer Entertainment Inc. SEGA of America’s Web site is located at www.sega.com.
About Shiny Entertainment:
Part of Foundation 9 Entertainment, Shiny Entertainment develops engaging 3rd person action titles, including two titles based on the “The Matrix” film franchise. Shiny is located in Newport Beach, CA and can be found on the web at www.shiny.com. Shiny, along with Backbone, The Collective, Amaze, Pipeworks, ImaginEngine, and Digital Eclipse make up Foundation 9 Entertainment. The company's studios have developed more than 350 titles, including more than 30 in 2006 alone. Foundation 9 Entertainment employs more than 750 employees, and has offices in Los Angeles, Newport Beach, Emeryville, Vancouver, Kirkland, Austin, Boston, Eugene, and Charlottetown. For more information on Foundation 9 Entertainment, please visit: www.f9e.com.
About New Line Cinema Corporation:
Celebrating its 40th anniversary year, New Line Cinema is the most successful independent film company in the world. Its mission is to produce innovative, popular and profitable entertainment in the best creative environment. In addition to the production, marketing and distribution of theatrical motion pictures, the fully-integrated studio has divisions devoted to home entertainment, television, music, theater, merchandising and an international unit. In 2005, New Line partnered with HBO to form Picturehouse, a new theatrical distribution company to release independent films. A pioneer in franchise filmmaking, New Line’s Oscar-winning The Lord of the Rings trilogy is one of the most successful film franchises in history. New Line is a division of Time Warner, Inc. (TWX).
About Scholastic Media:
Scholastic Media (SM) is the entertainment and media division of Scholastic Inc., the global children's publishing and media company. A proven leader and innovator in the children's entertainment landscape and award-winning licensor and marketer of children's properties worldwide, SM ranks as one of the foremost producers of quality, family-oriented content for all platforms, including television programming, feature films, home entertainment, interactive products, and the Internet. Scholastic is a co-creator of the new multi-platform qubo network for children, which promotes literacy and positive values through entertainment. Provided by Scholastic, Dragon is the new pre-school series airing on qubo.
About Scholastic:
Scholastic Corporation (NASDAQ: SCHL) is the world's largest publisher and distributor of children's books and a leader in educational technology. Scholastic creates quality educational and entertaining materials and products for use in school and at home, including children's books, magazines, technology-based products, teacher materials, television programming, film, videos and toys. The Company distributes its products and services through a variety of channels, including proprietary school-based book clubs, school-based book fairs, and school-based and direct-to-home continuity programs; retail stores, schools, libraries and television networks; and the Company's Internet site, www.scholastic.com.
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