Atari issued a press release this morning announcing their lineup for this year’s Leipzig Games Convention, which includes the first ever playable version of CD Projekt’s The Witcher.
Atari Unveils A Whole Bundle Of Gaming Fun At GC 2007!
Games Convention in Leipzig, Germany, Plays Host to World Premiere of the First Playable Version of Keenly Awaited Role-playing Game The Witcher, and Much, Much More
LYON, FRANCE 3 August 2007 Atari is celebrating its 35th anniversary year by unveiling two eagerly anticipated titles to the public at Games Convention 2007 in Leipzig, Germany, from 23-26 August: the first playable version of The Witcher and Ace Combatâ„¢ 6: Fires of Liberation. In addition, a whole host of other games will be playable at the show with Eternal Sonataâ„¢, Asterix At The Olympic Games, Dragon Ball Z: Budokai Tenkaichi 3, Naruto: Ultimate Ninja 2, Tamagotchi: Party On! and Atari Germany distributed titles Race 07 and Obscure 2 all on hand to thrill visitors.
This year Atari has something to offer all gaming fans, the range of titles that await visitors in Hall 2, Booth E 02 extending from fighting and survival horror through to flight action and role-playing games. One undisputed highlight is PC role-playing game The Witcher from Polish developer CD Projekt. This keenly anticipated title will give visitors their first chance to slip into the role of white-haired witcher Geralt, a legendary monster hunter and master swordsman. Additionally, the specially constructed Witcher Cinema at the Atari booth will give visitors the exclusive opportunity to watch the full 7-minute CGI opening movie from the game.
This autumn sees the launch of Ace Combat 6: Fires of Liberation developed by NAMCO BANDAI Games for the Xbox 360™ video game and entertainment system from Microsoft. The renowned flight action series which has sold more than 10 million copies worldwide now brings an in-depth multi-player online experience with a variety of action-packed online modes via Xbox Live®. Visitors to the booth will be able to test their flying skills and command the allied assault force of aerial, naval, and ground combat units in the single player game with its captivating photorealistic graphics.
Anime and fighting game fans will have a blast with Dragon Ball Z: Budokai Tenkaichi 3 for Wii and PS®2 and Naruto: Ultimate Ninja 2 for PS2, sequels to enormously successful titles from NAMCO BANDAI Games. Bringing the experience closer than ever to the TV series, Dragon Ball Z: Budokai Tenkaichi 3 is the ultimate chapter in the Budokai Tenkaichi series with over 30 daytime and night arenas, and more than 160 playable characters. The unique PS2 ‘˜Disc Fusion System’ lets players insert either Budokai Tenkaichi 1 or 2 into the console to unlock brand new gameplay modes, while players on Wii can enjoy online multiplayer battling for the first time ever and an enhanced combat system. The precursor to Naruto: Ultimate Ninja 2 offered gamers awesome moments of pure playing pleasure thanks to a multitude of brilliant features in the fantastically designed cel-shaded world. The sequel takes things even further with more than 30 combatants in 16 arenas, 60 missions, and seven mini-games guaranteeing hours of gaming fun.
Featuring a unique mix of live action, CGI and video game animation, Asterix At The Olympic Games for PlayStation®2, Nintendo DS™, Wii and PC is the game of the live-action feature film of the same name which is scheduled for a major theatrical release in cinemas across Europe from January 2008. As in the movie, Asterix, Obelix and Idefix set off for Greece to lend emotional support to their lovesick pal Alafolix. Playing as any one of the three lead characters, gamers are embroiled in a series of wild adventures and challenges, in a story that runs parallel to the plot of the film and comic book. In addition to the single player game, the two-player option and a host of mini-games offer even more hilarious fun.
In the eagerly awaited role-playing game Eternal Sonata from NAMCO BANDAI Games for Xbox 360, the player will delve inside the character of celebrated Polish composer Frédéric Chopin. While lying on his deathbed, Chopin has a fantastic dream set in the hinterland between life and death. Here he encounters people who will change his own outlook on life: a young girl facing a cruel fate and a young boy fighting for her salvation. In an epic tale moving between dream and reality, Chopin discovers the light that shines within all people. With gorgeous visuals and style, a unique battle system and a captivating story, Eternal Sonata gives Xbox 360 fans the RPG they’ve been waiting for.
NAMCO BANDAI Games’ Tamagotchi Party On! brings the globally popular franchise to Wii for the first time with a dose of 3D party fun. Playing against up to three other opponents, the gamer can shake, twist and twirl the Wii Remote to become the most popular Tamagotchi and ultimately president of the Tamagotchi Planet.
Also at the Games Convention (in the area near the entrance) is the racing game Race 07 for PC. In a hydraulically operated simulator, fans will be able to experience at first hand the remarkably realistic nature of the follow-up to award-winning game Race 06 (The WWTC Game). Realistic head movements, mud-splattered visors, and weather effects create a genuine race atmosphere.
Finally, things take a spookier turn with another title in the Atari Germany line-up, Obscure 2, the sequel to the much-acclaimed survival horror game. Together with six students, the player has the job of revealing the mystery of the surreal events at Fall Creek University, and of facing up to the repellent and grotesque creatures that pop up in the course of the investigations. Each of the characters is provided with its own set of special abilities that can be deployed skilfully to escape the horrific events. The chilling atmosphere is enhanced by a gripping soundtrack featuring the Boston Symphonic Orchestra and the children’s choir of the Paris opera.
For information about Atari’s entire product line up visit www.atari.com.
About Infogrames Entertainment and Atari:
Infogrames Entertainment (IESA), the parent company of the Atari Group, is listed on the Paris Euronext stock exchange (ISIN code: FR-0000052573) and has two principal subsidiaries: Atari Europe, a privately-held company, and Atari, Inc., a United States corporation listed on NASDAQ (ATAR).
The Atari Group is a major international producer, publisher and distributor of interactive entertainment software for all market segments and in all existing game formats (Microsoft, Nintendo and Sony) and on CD-ROM for PC. Its games are sold in more than 60 countries.
The Atari Group’s extensive catalogue of popular games is based on original franchises (Alone in the Dark, V-Rally, Test Drive, Roller Coaster Tycoon, etc.) and international licenses (Dragon Ball Z, Dungeons & Dragons, etc.).
For more information: http://www.atari.com
About NAMCO BANDAI Games Europe SAS
NAMCO BANDAI Games Europe SAS., is a leading interactive entertainment software publisher based in Cergy-Pontoise, France, with a UK branch office in London, England. The company is a part of the NAMCO BANDAI group of companies known for creating and publishing many of the industry’s top video game franchises including the RidgeRacerâ„¢, Tekkenâ„¢, SOULCALIBURâ„¢, Tamagotchiâ„¢, Digimonâ„¢, Dragonball® and Narutoâ„¢ brands.
More information about NAMCO BANDAI Games, its products and services can be found online at www.bandainamcogames.co.jp/english.
