ELECTRONIC ARTS SIGNS AGREEMENT WITH BLIZZARD ENTERTAINMENT
EA to develop and distribute Warcraft II and Diablo games on next generation console systems
Under the agreement, Blizzard has granted Electronic Arts exclusive development and publishing rights to the console versions of Warcraft II and Diablo, bringing Blizzard's PC strategy and role-playing games to next generation systems for the first time.
In addition, Electronic Arts has also obtained exclusive worldwide distribution rights for both titles on next generation systems. The pact with Blizzard Entertainment follows an announcement made two weeks ago of a worldwide publishing and distribution agreement with Sid Meier's company, Firaxis Software, Inc., of Hunt Valley, MD.
"Our agreement with Blizzard exemplifies our commitment to seek out and partner with industry leaders and top creative talent," says EA's chairman and CEO Larry Probst. "Warcraft's longevity and Diablo's innovative game design provide EA with a solid foundation for success with these games in the console market. Electronic Art's Warcraft and Diablo titles will set new benchmarks in the role-playing genre and real-time strategy games on next generation game systems."
Blizzard Entertainment's president, Allen Adham, commented "We're pleased to sign with Electronic Arts. They have the expertise to transform the depth and unique PC-style of play of our games on the new console systems, and the project's producer has a solid track record for creating innovative and ground-breaking games. In addition, EA has an extensive worldwide distribution network, which is a tremendous plus for us."
The Warcraft series has received accolades as one of the industry's most compelling PC strategy games. Since its release, the Warcraft series has shattered sales records worldwide. Warcraft II, alone, has sold over one million copies since its release in december, 1995. Set in the mythical kingdom of Azeroth, Warcraft players must maintain a thriving medieval economy to fuel the conquests of their kingdom's war machine. The upcoming title, Diablo, is a role-playing game where the player, in a quest for vengeance, descends into a sinister underworld filled with demonic creatures and supernatural forces.
Blizzard Entertainment is a
premier publisher of next-generation entertainment software. The company's
Warcraft II title has sold nearly one million copies worldwide and has earned
top industry honors including Game of the Year. Blizzard is a division of
Davidson & Associates, Inc., a
wholly owned subsidiary of CUC International,
Inc.
Electronic Arts, headquartered in San Mateo,
California, is a leading interactive entertainment software company. Founded in
1982, EA posted revenues over $530 million for fiscal 1996. The Company develops,
publishes and distributes software worldwide for personal computers and advanced
entertainment systems such as the PlayStation and Sega Saturn. Electronic Arts
markets its products worldwide under five brand names:
EA SPORTS, Origin Systems Inc.,
Bullfrog Productions Ltd. and
Jane's Combat Simulations.
EA has subsidiaries in Australia, Canada, France, Germany, Japan, Singapore,
South Africa, Spain, Sweden, the United Kingdom, Austin, Texas, and Seattle,
Washington.
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