Call of Duty 2 Storms Retail Shelves
SANTA MONICA, Calif., Oct 25, 2005 /PRNewswire-FirstCall via COMTEX News Network/ -- Soldiers ... strap up those boots, tighten that buckle and grab your helmet, it's time to return to battle as Activision, Inc. (Nasdaq: ATVI) has shipped Call of Duty(R) 2 to retail outlets nationwide. Powered by Infinity Ward's proprietary new engine, the sequel delivers an unparalleled portrayal of the chaos and intensity of war with life-like authenticity, amazing special effects, advanced A.I. technology, the most realistic squad combat and explosive action. Call of Duty 2 for Windows(R) PC is rated "T" (TEEN -- blood, mild language and violence) by the ESRB and carries a suggested retail price of $49.99.
"The original Call of Duty set a new benchmark for epic intensity. Our team was committed to raising the bar once again with Call of Duty 2 by delivering an experience that immerses players in the action and takes them on a journey that's as close to war as they will ever want to get," states Grant Collier, president, Infinity Ward. "We've brought the action to life by creating a context-sensitive dynamic battle chatter system, unparalleled smoke effects, adding non-linear gameplay, open mission objectives and the most alert A.I. ever. Gamers will feel like they're playing their own epic war movie."
Set across three Allied campaigns: Russian, British and American, Call of Duty 2 offers the ultimate character-driven experience, as gamers can play through each storyline to its completion, or choose to engage the enemy in historic battles chronologically from 1941 through 1945. Players have the freedom to take on mission objectives in any order as they see fit, yet must utilize actual combat tactics like outflanking and fire and maneuver to succeed.
Call of Duty 2 delivers more explosive action with bigger battles, more weapons, more troops and unprecedented special effects set in a wide range of locations and environments. Players, for example, can fight "The Desert Fox" across the sands of North Africa as waves of tanks clash in the desert; join an Army Ranger squad using rocket-propelled grappling hooks to storm the cliffs of Pointe du Hoc; or slog through the urban chaos of Stalingrad and Moscow in blizzard conditions as a tank hunter in war-torn Russia.
For intense multiplayer action, Call of Duty 2 players can go online for Axis vs. Allies team-based gameplay featuring five modes of play: Headquarters, Capture the Flag, Search and Destroy, Deathmatch and Team Deathmatch for up to 32 players.
"Call of Duty 2 is a heart-pounding thrill ride from the first shot to the last explosion," said Dusty Welch, vice president of global brand management, Activision, Inc. "Infinity Ward has once again delivered the epic intensity and chaos of battle in the most adrenaline-filled way possible. And, we're heeding the call by teaming with leading partners to develop co-marketing programs in order to ensure fans everywhere are ready for their return to glory."
Activision has enlisted its own top notch fighting squad of key partners, including a worldwide promotional program with Intel surrounding Call of Duty 2 and Intel(R) Pentium(R) Extreme Edition systems, NVIDIA(R), who has been selected by Activision as the preferred graphics processing unit (GPU) for Call of Duty 2, and Brady Games, whose Call of Duty 2 Official Strategy Guide is available at electronics, book, and software retailers nationwide, and online at bradygames.com.
A limited Collector's Edition of Call of Duty 2 is also now available on DVD for $59.99. Offered in a specially-designed premium metallic package, the Collector's Edition features a bonus DVD loaded with historic interviews and commentaries, a special making of the game feature, mission walkthroughs from the developers at Infinity Ward and more. Call of Duty 2 is also in development for the Xbox 360(TM) video game and entertainment system from Microsoft and is slated for release on Nov. 15.
About Activision, Inc.
Headquartered in Santa Monica, California, Activision, Inc. is a leading worldwide developer, publisher and distributor of interactive entertainment and leisure products. Founded in 1979, Activision posted net revenues of $1.4 billion for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2005.
Activision maintains operations in the U.S., Canada, the United Kingdom, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, Australia, Scandinavia, Spain and the Netherlands. More information about Activision and its products can be found on the company's World Wide Web site, which is located at www.activision.com.
The statements made in this press release that are not historical facts are "forward-looking statements." These forward-looking statements are based on current expectations and assumptions that are subject to risks and uncertainties. The Company cautions readers of this press release that a number of important factors could cause Activision's actual future results to differ materially from those expressed in any such forward-looking statements. Such factors include, without limitation, product delays, retail acceptance of our products, industry competition, rapid changes in technology and industry standards, protection of proprietary rights, maintenance of relationships with key personnel, vendors and third-party developers, international economic and political conditions, integration of recently acquired subsidiaries and identification of suitable future acquisition opportunities. These important factors and other factors that potentially could affect the Company's financial results are described in our filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including the Company's most recent Annual report on Form 10-K and Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q. Readers of this press release are referred to such filings. The Company may change its intention, belief or expectation, at any time and without notice, based upon any changes in such factors, in the Company's assumptions or otherwise. The Company undertakes no obligation to release publicly any revisions to any forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances after the date hereof or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events.
Intel and Pentium are trademarks or registered trademarks of Intel Corporation or its subsidiaries in the United States and other countries.
Xbox 360 is a registered trademark of Microsoft Corporation in the United States and/or other countries.
(c) 2005 Activision Publishing, Inc. Activision and Call of Duty are registered trademarks of Activision Publishing, Inc. All rights reserved.
SOURCE Activision, Inc.
Mike Mantarro, PR Manager, Activision Games of Activision, Inc., +1-310-255-2731, mmantarro@activision.com
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