Activision Publishing Brings 'Toy of the Year' Winner Zhu Zhu Pets™ to Life Today on Nintendo DS™
SANTA MONICA, Calif., March 23, 2010 /PRNewswire via COMTEX News Network/ -- Activision Publishing (Nasdaq: ATVI), GameMill Publishing, Inc., and Cepia LLC today announced the release of Zhu Zhu Pets(TM) for Nintendo DS, based off of the cuddly "Toy of the Year"-winning hamsters. The initial shipment of the game includes a Collectors' Edition baby hamster named Baxter and is available while supplies last.
"Zhu Zhu Pets for Nintendo DS is arriving at a great time for the property," said David Oxford at Activision Publishing. "After winning 'Toy of the Year', everyone is eager to see the next phase of their favorite toy."
Gary Miller, President, GameMill Publishing, added, "This game delivers loveable hamsters, fun adventures and everything that Zhu Zhu Pets fans will love to play."
"The Zhu Zhu Pets 'Zhu-niverse' is growing exponentially and fans are having a lot of fun with each evolutionary step," said Natalie Hornsby, Vice President of Marketing, Cepia LLC. "We are extremely pleased to take this first step in our partnership with GameMill and Activision."
Zhu Zhu Pets for Nintendo DS allows players to care for and play with their favorite hamsters, including Mr. Squiggles, Num Nums and Chunk. Players can lead their hamsters through more than 30 twisty, loopy levels on a skateboard, in a car or spinning in a hamster ball. After so much adventure, hamsters are sure to get tired and hungry and will need lots of care and love. Players can to make sure their hamsters get snacks, exercise, sleep and lots and lots of love!
Zhu Zhu Pets was the best-selling toy last holiday season and recently won three industry awards at the 10th annual Toy Industry Association Toy of the Year (TOTY) Awards, including the 2010 "Toy of the Year," "Girl Toy of the Year" and "Innovative Toy of the Year."
Zhu Zhu Pets for Nintendo DS is rated E for Everyone by the ESRB and is now available for Nintendo DS at the retail price of $29.99. For more information visit www.activision.com or www.gamemillpublishing.com.
About GameMill Entertainment
GameMill Entertainment is located in Minneapolis, Minnesota. GameMill is a third party publisher of various Children's and Casual games for the PC, Nintendo DS, and Wii from Nintendo. With development across the globe, GameMill is a source of entertaining and fun games for all ages. www.game-mill.com
About Zhu Zhu Pets
Zhu Zhu Pets are innovative, realistic, interactive, plush, and artificially intelligent hamsters that talk and move around in their own playsets. Zhu Zhu Pets include two play modes: nurturing mode where the hamsters coo and purr and adventure mode where the hamsters explore their habitat with intelligent audio and mechanical responses to various habitat stimuli. Add-on accessories can be purchased to build an ever-evolving habitat for your pet to play in and explore. Zhu Zhu Pets expands in product line with the addition of Zhu Zhu Rock Stars, Zhu Zhu Wild Bunch and Kung Zhu, the first Zhu Zhu Pets specifically designed to appeal to boys. Powered by 2 AAA batteries (included), both Zhu Zhu Pets and Kung Zhu are suitable for ages 4 and up. For more information, please visit www.zhuzhupets.com.
About Cepia LLC
Headquartered in St Louis, Mo., Cepia LLC is a privately held company that manufactures toys and games for children of all ages. The company was founded on the premise that sufficiently advanced technology is indistinguishable from magic. Ingenuity, creativity, playfulness, and passion are the heart of Cepia and everything it creates. Cepia's toy building enterprises include: Glo-e, a light-up plush bear, Hydro Max, a motorized water blaster, Sky Raptors, and their newest venture Zhu Zhu Pets. Zhu Zhu Pets has become an international sensation by combining realistic interaction with a fun, imaginative, interactive play design. Zhu Zhu Pets, their Zhu-niverse of accessories, and other toys from Cepia LLC are sold globally through national chain retail outlets and independent toy stores. For more information, please visit www.cepiallc.com.
About Black Lantern
Black Lantern Studios, Inc. is an independent interactive entertainment software developer for consoles and the PC. Founded in 2003 and headquartered in Springfield, Missouri, Black Lantern Studios is committed to providing the highest quality, richest, and most satisfying gaming experience to its customers, and delivering value to its publishers and partners. For more information about Black Lantern Studios, please visit www.blacklanternstudios.com or e-mail info@blacklanternstudios.com.
About Activision Publishing, Inc.
Headquartered in Santa Monica, California, Activision Publishing, Inc. is a leading worldwide developer, publisher and distributor of interactive entertainment and leisure products. Activision Publishing maintains operations in the U.S., Canada, the United Kingdom, France, Germany, Ireland, Italy, Sweden, Spain, Norway, Denmark, the Netherlands, Australia, Russia, Japan, South Korea, China and the region of Taiwan. More information about Activision and its products can be found on the company's website, www.activision.com.
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SOURCE Activision Publishing
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