LOS ANGELES – August 18, 2005 – Konami Digital Entertainment, Inc. announced today a multi-year agreement with Marvel Enterprises, Inc. and Upper Deck Entertainment that gives Konami exclusive worldwide interactive rights to develop games for current and next generation video game systems based on Upper Deck Entertainment’s best-selling Marvel Trading Card Game. This is the latest addition to Konami’s collection of interactive trading card based properties, which also includes the tremendously successful Yu-Gi-Oh! series.
The Marvel Trading Card Game is a trading card game (TCG) developed by Upper Deck Entertainment, which uses the highly popular “Vs. System” game engine designed to support traditional one-on-one dueling competitions with popular Marvel comic book characters. In addition to the rights for developing this property into a video game for both online and offline formats, Konami also secured the license to incorporate Marvel character content into the game -- including content based on The Incredible Hulk, Spider-Man, the X-Men, the Avengers and the Fantastic Four.
“The Marvel characters are among the most recognizable icons in popular culture, with a significant presence across all media,” said Kazumi Kitaue, Chairman and CEO of Konami Digital Entertainment, Inc. “When combined with Konami’s experience in developing successful video games based on trading card properties, this will give consumers a powerful new way to interact with some of their favorite Marvel characters, especially as the online community expands.”
"The Vs. System utilizes the strengths of the Marvel characters and universe in a unique and compelling way," said Jerry Bennington, Vice President of Entertainment at Upper Deck. "Upper Deck Entertainment is excited to be working with industry giants such as Konami and Marvel Enterprises on this amazing project."
“Given the vast popularity of the “Marvel Vs.” card game, we are very excited to be working with both Upper Deck and Konami in bringing “Marvel Vs.” to the world of interactive gaming”, said Ames Kirshen, Vice President, Interactive at Marvel Enterprises.
Since its release in 2003, the Marvel Trading Card Game has been one of the top-selling TCG’s in the market, and has been honored with such awards as Inquest Gamer Magazine’s 2005 Fan Award, and GAMA’s 2005 Gamer’s Choice Award. Using the innovative Vs. System, the game allows players to build some of the most power-packed decks around the some of the strongest characters in the comic universe. Development of the game included testing by top professional TCG players from around the world to ensure that the Vs. System is carefully balanced for high-level competition, as well as casual play. For more information, please visit: http://www.konami.com/gs. About Konami Corporation Konami Corporation is a leading developer, publisher and manufacturer of electronic entertainment properties, specializing in the home video game market. Konami Corporation's action and adventure titles include the popular franchises Metal Gear Solid®, Silent Hill® and Castlevania®, among other top sellers. The latest information about Konami can be found on the Web at www.konami.com. Konami Corporation is a publicly traded company based in Tokyo, Japan with subsidiary offices, Konami Digital Entertainment, Inc. in the US and Konami of Europe in Frankfurt, Germany. Konami Corporation, the parent company of Konami Digital Entertainment, Inc. is traded in the United States on the New York Stock Exchange under the ticker symbol KNM. Details of the products published by Konami Digital Entertainment - America can be found at www.konami.com/gs. About Marvel Enterprises, Inc. With a library of over 5,000 characters, Marvel Enterprises, Inc. is one of the world’s most prominent character-based entertainment companies. Marvel’s operations are focused in three areas: licensing and entertainment (Marvel Studios), comic book publishing and toys. Marvel facilitates the creation of entertainment projects, including feature films, DVD/home video, video games and television programming based on its characters and also licenses its characters for use in a wide range of consumer products and services including apparel, collectibles, snack foods and promotions. Marvel’s characters and plot lines are created by its publishing segment that continues to expand its leadership position in the U.S. and worldwide while also serving as an invaluable source of intellectual property. About The Upper Deck Company Founded in 1988, The Upper Deck Co., LLC is a premier sports and entertainment publishing company that delivers a portfolio of relevant, innovative and multi-dimensional product experiences to collectors, sports and entertainment enthusiasts. For more information on Upper Deck or the company’s products, please visit www.upperdeck.com. Upper Deck Entertainment is a division of Upper Deck Company -- a premier sports/ entertainment publishing company which delivers a portfolio of relevant, innovative and multidimensional product experiences to collectors and sports and entertainment enthusiasts. For more information on UDE, please log onto www.upperdeckentertainment.com. Upper Deck Entertainment, and the design are trademarks of the Upper Deck Company, LLC. All rights reserved. MARVEL,The Incredible Hulk, Spider-Man, the X-Men, the Avengers, the Fantastic Four and all related Marvel characters are © and trademarks of Marvel Characters, Inc., and are used with permission. Copyright © 2005 Marvel Characters, Inc. All rights reserved. www.marvel.com. ### Media Contacts: Konami Digital Entertainment - America Bender/Helper Impact Marc Franklin/Denny Chiu Adam Fenton/Stefanie Acken
650-654-5600 212-689-6360 mfrankpr@konami.com/chewyd@konami.com adam_fenton@bhimpact.com/stefanie_acken@bhimpact.com Licensing Contact: Konami Digital Entertainment Daniel Kletzky, VP Business Development 310-228-4622 dk.01689@konami.com |
