The New Sierra Launches with an Exclusive Focus on Indie Game
Development
The Epic Return of King's Quest and Geometry Wars3:
Dimensions
Headline the List of New, Fan-Favorite Titles
Planned to Launch Under the Sierra Brand
KÖLN, Germany--(BUSINESS WIRE)--
With a renowned history that's served as the origin for many nostalgic
video game characters, worlds and experiences, Sierra™ continues
on today in a return to form that fans of great games will love. A part
of Activision Publishing, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Activision
Blizzard (Nasdaq: ATVI),
Sierra's focus is on indie studios developing innovative,
edgy and graphically unique games, including new IPs and contemporary
reimaginings of beloved Sierra classics. Headlining Sierra's
slate of indie games is an all-new King's Quest™ experience in
2015, and a new Geometry Wars™ game
planned to launch this holiday season. Additionally, the Sierra
team is well underway exploring other indie projects to potentially
launch later this year, and in 2015 and beyond.
In development by the beloved and quirky studio The Odd Gentlemen (The
Misadventures of PB Winterbottom), King's Quest is a fully
reimagined version of the fan-favorite Sierra game fit for
both the old and new generation of King's Quest players. Huge
fans of the original King's Quest series, The Odd Gentlemen are
crafting a charming new adventure with an awe-inspiring art style,
engaging puzzles, and a wondrous interactive narrative brimming with
humor. In the new story, King Graham - revered as the greatest
adventurer to ever live - shares his life's adventures with his curious
granddaughter, Gwendolyn. It is through these tales that Gwendolyn
discovers the true greatness of her grandfather. King's Quest is
expected to make its heralded return in 2015.
Today's news about the future of Sierra was met with
excitement from its original founder, Ken Williams. "We're very proud of
what we created all those years ago with Sierra Online, and
today's news about carrying Sierra forward as an
indie-specific brand is very encouraging," said Williams. "We look
forward to seeing Sierra's independent spirit live on, and
are especially excited to see what The Odd Gentlemen will do with King's
Quest."
Sierra began in 1979 with a single 8-bit Apple II
microcomputer, and founders Roberta and Ken Williams' love for
storytelling and new technology that drove a revolution in the adventure
game genre, and forever changed the industry. Today, a new wave of
independent artists and entrepreneurs are using the same inventive
attitude and latest tech to create amazing gaming experiences, and
that's where Sierra comes into play. With the popularity
of digital platforms like Xbox Live, PlayStation Network and Steam, the
new Sierra will cater to the unique needs of each indie
studio, ranging from aiding in game development and first party
relations, to PR, marketing and digital/retail distribution. Sierra
will help foster today's talent to create amazing video games as
it has so many times before.
"Sierra's goal is to find and work with talented indie
developers working on their own amazing projects, or passionate about
working on great Sierra IP, and leverage our expertise to
aid them in bring these fun and exciting experiences to gamers with the
level of visibility and awareness they deserve," said Bob Loya, Sr.
Director of External Development. "In addition to Lucid Games and The
Odd Gentlemen, we're in talks with a large number of other indie devs,
and can't wait to share more details with fans in the near future."
The first title set to launch under Sierra is Geometry
Wars3: Dimensions from the team at Lucid
Games. Geometry Wars3: Dimensions is an
exciting new evolution of the fast-paced, frenetic Geometry Wars
gameplay fans love, and will introduce full 3D action and both
cooperative and competitive multiplayer for the first time in the
franchise. In addition to a full single-player campaign with 50 unique
challenges and over 10 battle modes - five of which are brand new to the
series - Geometry Wars3: Dimensions
features dynamic and persistent progression, offering players a
consistently new experience each time they play. Geometry Wars3:
Dimensions is planned to launch later this year.
"Thanks to Sierra, we're planning to release Geometry
Wars3: Dimensions on more platforms than
ever before," said Pete Wallace, Studio Head, Lucid Games. "We're
thrilled to work with the indie team at Sierra to bring
the next generation of Geo Wars gameplay to our passionate and
loyal fans, and look forward to seeing you all online!"
For the latest information on Sierra, including additional
details on King's Quest and Geometry Wars3:
Dimensions, be sure to check out the official Sierra
website at www.sierra.com.
About Sierra
Developer-lead and player-focused, Sierra publishes highly curated
titles that embody best-in-class efforts from indie developers. From
providing development funding and deep first-party relations to
marketing and retail distribution, Sierra caters to the individual needs
of each indie studio. Sierra will primarily publish on digital
distribution platforms including Xbox Live, PlayStation Network and
Steam for PC.
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 maintains operations in the U.S., Canada, Brazil, Mexico, the
United Kingdom, France, Germany, Ireland, Italy, Sweden, Spain, Norway,
Denmark, the Netherlands, Australia, South Korea, mainland China and the
region of Taiwan. More information about Activision and its products can
be found on the company's website, www.activision.com.
Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-looking Statements: Information in
this press release that involves Activision Publishing's expectations,
plans, intentions or strategies regarding the future, including
statements about Sierra and the expected launch dates for Geometry
Wars3: Dimensions, King's Quest and
other potential indie projects are forward-looking statements that are
not facts and involve a number of risks and uncertainties. Factors that
could cause Activision Publishing's actual future results to differ
materially from those expressed in the forward-looking statements set
forth in this release include unanticipated product delays and other
factors identified in the risk factors sections of Activision Blizzard's
most recent annual report on Form 10-K and any subsequent quarterly
reports on Form 10-Q. The forward-looking statements in this release are
based upon information available to Activision Publishing and Activision
Blizzard as of the date of this release, and neither Activision
Publishing nor Activision Blizzard assumes any obligation to update any
such forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements believed to
be true when made may ultimately prove to be incorrect. These statements
are not guarantees of the future performance of Activision Publishing or
Activision Blizzard and are subject to risks, uncertainties and other
factors, some of which are beyond its control and may cause actual
results to differ materially from current expectations.
ACTIVISION, SIERRA, KING'S QUEST and GEOMETRY WARS are trademarks of
Activision Publishing, Inc. All other trademarks and trade names are the
properties of their respective owners.
Sandbox Strategies
Amanda Young, 212.213.2451, ext. 227
amanda@sandboxstrat.com
Source: Activision Blizzard
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