PC Version of Smash Hit Game Includes New Bonus Locations and Missions for Players to Explore
LOS ANGELES, CA – December 8, 2004 - Vivendi Universal Games, in association with Vin Diesel’s Tigon Studios, announced today that their PC action game The Chronicles of Riddick™: Escape From Butcher Bay – Developer’s Cut has shipped to retail stores in the United States.
The Chronicles of Riddick: Escape From Butcher Bay was released in July for the Xbox® video game system from Microsoft. The game received rave reviews from game critics as well as numerous awards, including GameSpy.com’s “Editor’s Choice” award. Said GameSpot.com: "It's easily one of the most impressive games on the Xbox and seems destined to be remembered as the most inspiring collaboration between Hollywood and the gaming industry yet.”
Set before the events of the two films which starred Vin Diesel as the anti-hero Riddick —this summer’s The Chronicles of Riddick and the 2000 cult classic Pitch Black— the highly-acclaimed game puts players in the role of the enigmatic Riddick and tells the story of his dramatic escape from the previously inescapable triple-max security prison Butcher Bay, home to the most violent convicts in the galaxy. The new PC Developer’s Cut offers players exclusive content, developer commentary from the team at Starbreeze Studios, and a new arena where players can test their survival skills against some of the most hardened criminals in the galaxy.
“The Chronicles of Riddick: Escape from Butcher Bay on Xbox was a tremendous success for VU Games and showed the potential for games that creatively leverage superior talent,” said Philip W. O’Neil, President, North America, Vivendi Universal Games. “Now PC gamers will have the opportunity to walk in Riddick’s shoes and experience this phenomenal story.”
The Chronicles of Riddick: Escape From Butcher Bay – Developer’s Cut immerses players in the savage nightmare of Butcher Bay prison with voice performances by an impressive cast, including: Vin Diesel as Riddick, Cole Hauser, Kristin Lehman, Xzibit, Ron Perlman and Michael Rooker. Blending action and stealth elements, the game takes players on a journey through the harsh environments of the slam - dank tunnels, dimly lit corridors, and other hazardous areas filled with enemy guards, savage inmates and deadly creatures that prowl the darkness. Developed by Starbreeze Studios the game has been rated “M” by the ESRB and carries a suggested retail price of $29.95.
About The Chronicles of Riddick
Vin Diesel reprised his star-making Pitch Black role of enigmatic anti-hero Richard B. Riddick in the science fiction action-adventure epic, The Chronicles of Riddick, available now on DVD. From Universal Pictures, in association with Radar Pictures and One Race Productions, The Chronicles of Riddick stars Colm Feore, Alexa Davalos, Karl Urban, Linus Roache, Thandie Newton and Dame Judi Dench.
Riddick has spent the last five years on the move among the forgotten worlds on the outskirts of the galaxy, eluding mercenaries bent on collecting the price on his head. Now, the fugitive finds himself on planet Helion, home to a progressive multicultural society that has been invaded by the Lord Marshal, a despot who targets humans for subjugation with his army of warriors known as Necromongers.
Exiled to a subterranean prison where extremes of temperature range from arctic nights to volcanic days, Riddick encounters Kyra, the lone survivor from an earlier chapter in his life. His efforts to free himself and Kyra lead him to the Necromonger command ship, where he is pitted against the Lord Marshal in an apocalyptic battle with possibly the fate of all beings-both living and dead-hanging in the balance.
Written and directed by David Twohy, The Chronicles of Riddick is produced by Scott Kroopf and Vin Diesel. Ted Field, George Zakk and David Womark serve as executive producers.
This film is Rated PG-13 for intense sequences of violent action and some language. Please consult
www.filmratings.com for more information.
Riddick is licensed by Universal Studios Consumer Products Group (USCPG), which is responsible for global licensing and retail strategies as well as building brand recognition of the extensive catalogue of NBC Universal properties.
About Universal Studios Consumer Products Group
Universal Studios Consumer Products Group is a unit of NBC Universal, one of the world’s leading media and entertainment companies in the development, production, and marketing of entertainment, news, and information to a global audience. Formed in May 2004 through the combining of NBC and Vivendi Universal Entertainment, NBC Universal owns and operates the No. 1 television network, the fastest-growing Spanish-language network, a valuable portfolio of news and entertainment networks, a premier motion picture company, significant television production operations, a leading television stations group, and world-renowned theme parks. NBC Universal is 80%-owned by General Electric, with 20% controlled by Vivendi Universal.
About Starbreeze
Starbreeze was formed in autumn of 2001 when O3 Games and Starbreeze Studios merged. The first project for the company was "Enclave", a fantasy action-game. Late in the summer 2002, the Xbox version of "Enclave" was released around the world. Most recently the company completed work on the highly acclaimed The Chronicles of Riddick: Escape from Butcher Bay for the Xbox. Today, Starbreeze is one of the largest games developers in the Nordic countries. The company produces three titles in parallel and is developing on all major platforms. Headquarters and R&D-department is situated in central Uppsala, Sweden.
About Tigon Studios
Founded by Vin Diesel in 2002, Tigon Studios (
www.tigonstudios.com) is a game production company that strives to break new ground in interactive entertainment by combining key film components with unique game play, cutting edge technology and high production values. Tigon Studios will develop original games as well as be actively involved in the development process of video games based on motion pictures featuring Vin Diesel as the lead actor.
About Vivendi Universal Games
Headquartered in Los Angeles, VU Games is a leading global developer, publisher and distributor of multi-platform interactive entertainment. Its development studios and publishing labels include Blizzard Entertainment, Sierra Entertainment, Fox Interactive and Massive Entertainment. VU Games’ library of over 700 titles features properties such as Warcraft®, StarCraft®, Diablo® and World of Warcraft® from Blizzard Entertainment®; Crash Bandicoot®, Spyro The Dragon™, Empire Earth®, Leisure Suit Larry™, Ground Control® and Tribes®.
About Xbox
Xbox (
www.xbox.com) is the video game system from Microsoft that brings people together for the most exhilarating game and entertainment experiences. Xbox delivers an expansive collection of breakthrough games, powerful hardware and the unified Xbox Live online service. The new tagline, "it's good to play together," captures the spirit of Xbox as the social hub of the new digital entertainment lifestyle. Xbox is now available in North America, Asia, Europe and Australia.
# # #
Xbox is a registered trademark in the U.S. and/or other countries and is used under license from Microsoft.
