Disney Interactive Announces More LWW Game Details

Disney Interactive, a publishing label of Buena Vista Games, Inc., today announced new details about its upcoming action/adventure title, The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe, for the PlayStation(R)2 computer entertainment system, PSP (TM) handheld entertainment system, Xbox(R) video game system from Microsoft, Nintendo GameCube(TM), Game Boy(R) Advance, Nintendo DS(TM) and PC. Inspired by the upcoming highly anticipated motion picture from Walt Disney Pictures and Walden Media, the games will launch this Holiday season, in conjunction with film’s release.

Prominent UK software developer Traveller’s Tales is currently creating the console and PSP titles, while Griptonite Games, the handheld entertainment division of Seattle-based Amaze Entertainment, is developing the titles for Game Boy Advance and Nintendo DS. These two distinguished game development studios will bring Narnia to life for video gamers. THE CHRONICLES OF NARNIA: THE LION, THE WITCH AND THE WARDROBE, a spectacular live action/CGI motion picture adaptation of C.S. Lewis’ beloved literary classic is currently in post-production.

“We have enlisted some of the top creative talent in the games industry to work on The Chronicles of Narnia video games,” said Graham Hopper, senior vice president and general manager of Buena Vista Games. “Building on the fantastical worlds and amazing creatures portrayed in the film, the teams are developing an action/adventure epic video game where players will be captivated by remarkable characters, heart pumping combat and rich environments that could only exist in the land of Narnia.”

In the game, players enter the world of Narnia, a land frozen in a 100 year winter by the evil powers of the malevolent White Witch. In order to end this frigid captivity and free his people, the mighty lion Aslan invokes an ancient prophecy. It will become the destiny of four siblings from our world: Peter, Susan, Edmund and Lucy Pevensie to work together and use their unique combat skills, weaponry and abilities to defeat the Witch and her armies to save Narnia. These four heroes must battle the evil forces of the White Witch by waging war against a vast variety of creatures, including, Minotaurs, Minoboars, Cyclops, Werewolves, Wraiths, Ankleslicers, Wolves, Boggles and more.

These ferocious creatures are modeled in the game after the characters being created for the motion picture, by the digital and visual effects geniuses at New Zealand-based Weta Workshop, whose credits include “Lord of the Rings: Return of the King,” “Van Helsing,” and “I, Robot.” Additional game features include intricate puzzle solving, two-player action featuring all four characters, and seamless game play integration with real film footage.

THE CHRONICLES OF NARNIA: THE LION, THE WITCH AND THE WARDROBE is a spectacular live action/CGI motion picture adaptation of C.S. Lewis’ beloved literary classic. The film marks the first live action directorial effort for Andrew Adamson (Academy Award(R)-winner for “Shrek,” “Shrek 2″), who also co-wrote the film’s screenplay adaptation with Christopher Markus and Stephen McFeely. The film is produced by Academy Award(R)-winning filmmaker Mark Johnson (“Rain Man”). The film will be released December 9, 2005.

Buena Vista Games to create Narnia for 2005

Buena Vista Games, Inc., the global interactive entertainment arm of The Walt Disney Company, today announced that it will publish video games based on the epic tale of The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe, the best-selling story by C.S. Lewis and the forthcoming film by Walt Disney Pictures and Walden Media, for the PlayStation(R)2 computer entertainment system, Xbox(R) video game system from Microsoft, Nintendo GameCube(TM), PC and handheld consoles in fall 2005. The action-adventure series, which will be published under the company’s Disney Interactive label, will be the first multi-platform video games introduced that let gamers and Narnia fans step inside and immerse themselves in the magical world of Narnia.

“We are pleased to announce our plans to develop a full slate of video games based on The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion,The Witch and The Wardrobe film currently in production in New Zealand,” said Graham Hopper, senior vice president and general manager of Buena Vista Games. “Given the truly unique, creative nature of the story, we see it as especially suited for a spectacular translation to game consoles and something that the millions of Narnia fans and gamers worldwide will love.”

The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, The Witch, and the Wardrobe is based on the first in the series of phenomenally best-selling novels by C.S. Lewis. The live-action film concerns a war between good and evil, pitting the magnificent lion Aslan against the forces of darkness in the magical world of Narnia. A White Witch has used her dark powers to keep Narnia in winter for 100 years, but it is foretold that four humans will be able to help Aslan break the spell. When the children – Lucy, Susan, Edmund and Peter — discover the magic of Narnia by entering the enchanted world through a wardrobe, the stage is set for a classic battle of epic proportions. The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, The Witch and the Wardrobe film, under the direction of Andrew Adamson (Shrek, Shrek 2), is scheduled for release Christmas 2005.

“The opportunity to work closely with the video game production team at the same time we’re creating the film is very exciting. I’m looking forward to watching both projects come to life,” said Andrew Adamson, film director, The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe. “Through the video game, fans will be able to re-open the wardrobe countless times to revisit the magical world of Narnia and all of its characters and environments.”

About Buena Vista Games

Buena Vista Games, Inc. is the interactive entertainment arm of The Walt Disney Company’s Consumer Products business unit. The division publishes, markets and distributes a broad portfolio of PC and multi-platform video games worldwide. The company also licenses properties and works directly with third-party interactive game publishers to bring products for all ages to market. Titles for Buena Vista Games fall under two publishing labels: Buena Vista Interactive, which publishes high-profile, multi-platform games based on creative content from the numerous businesses within The Walt Disney Company, and Disney Interactive, which markets and distributes the company’s interactive entertainment based on Disney bbranded properties.

For further information, please contact: Kehau Rodenhurst, ext. 204, or Andrea Sausedo, ext. 201, of WONGDOODY Communications, +1-310-285-0181, for Buena Vista Games, Inc.; or Angela Emery of Buena Vista Games, Inc., +1-818-553-3923.