Nokia and Vivendi Universal Games (VU Games) today announced Crash Nitro Kart(TM) for the N-Gage game deck. The new game will transport users to the Crash Bandicoot® world where multiple players can go head to head with the freedom of Bluetooth wireless technology on the N-Gage platform. Crash Nitro Kart on the N-Gage game deck ushers in one of the most advanced 3D Kart racing worlds ever developed for a portable gaming device, delivering connected, over the air features through N-Gage Arena.
"We are thrilled to be working with Vivendi Universal Games to evolve this incredibly popular franchise," said Pasi Pölönen, Director of Game Publishing, Games Business Unit, Nokia. "Fans of Crash Bandicoot will fall in love all over again with the features and performance that the N-Gage platform enables."
"Crash Bandicoot is a hugely popular global franchise that lends itself to compelling gameplay on handheld platforms," said Luc Vanhal, VU Games President and COO, North America. "We view Nokia as one of the leading global manufacturers of wireless handsets, and the opportunity to introduce the Crash franchise to the N-Gage audience is an exciting one."
Crash Nitro Kart delivers a fast paced kart racing game with new 3D technology available only on the N-Gage game deck. Mobile gamers will also be able to select from new playable characters, new 3D levels and choose battle-mode or race-mode and unlock new levels and racers, with support for up to four simultaneous players via Bluetooth wireless technology. Crash Nitro Kart is expected to be available in the second quarter of 2004.
The Crash Bandicoot franchise has sold more than 30 million copies worldwide, making it one of the top character-based franchises in videogame history.
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 Black Label Games, Blizzard Entertainment, Coktel, Fox Interactive, Knowledge Adventure 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.
About N-Gage
The N-Gage game deck is an innovative mobile device that is creating an entirely new market for the games industry. Built for active and hardcore gamers, the N-Gage platform is the first mobile and connected game deck to feature online high-quality 3D multiplayer gameplay over Bluetooth wireless technology and GPRS. The N-Gage device also offers unique online games services as well as a comprehensive and growing games catalogue from the leading game publishers. Nokia is the world leader in mobile communications. Nokia and N-Gage are trademarks or registered trademarks of Nokia Corporation.
Media Enquiries:
Nokia Corporation
Multimedia
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Tel: +358 7180 45667
E-mail: press.office@nokia.com
Americas Press Desk
Tel: +1 972 894 4573
E-mail: n-gage.media@nokia.com
Nokia Communications, Asia Pacific
Tel: +65 6723 2323
E-mail: communications.apac@nokia.com
Stephanie Kavoulakos
Vivendi Universal Games
Tel. +1 310.431.4248
stephanie.kavoulakos@vugames.com
www.n-gage.com/press
www.nokia.com