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| [February 20, 2013] |
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2K and WWE® Announce Exclusive Multi-Year Agreement for WWE Video Game Series
NEW YORK & STAMFORD, Conn. --(Business Wire)--
2K and WWE (NYSE: WWE) today announced that they have entered into an
exclusive multi-year agreement granting 2K the exclusive worldwide
rights to publish the critically acclaimed WWE video game
franchise across all major platforms and distribution channels. The
series, which will continue to be developed by Yukes in Japan, will
combine the studio's signature gameplay with 2K's commitment to
authenticity in WWE '14, the latest iteration of the
popular, long running series. With the addition of the WWE
franchise, 2K will continue a highly-successful, 15-year tradition
established by past WWE titles. Financial terms were not
disclosed.
"The WWE series is a great addition to our stable of
triple-A titles, and we're very happy with this exclusive agreement with
our new partners," said David Ismailer, Chief Operating Officer for 2K.
"We look forward to capturing the excitement of WWE and
marrying it with the same commitment to authenticity and entertainment
that we give to our NBA 2K and MLB (News - Alert) 2K
franchises."
2K has a strong history in growing premier sports simulation titles,
evidenced by the incredible commercial success of the NBA 2K series,
with more than 15 million units of NBA 2K11, NBA 2K12
and NBA 2K13 sold-in to date worldwide. This year, in the
first week of its release, NBA 2K13 sold 49 percent more
copies in the same time frame than the franchise's previous
record-holder, NBA 2K11.
"2K's reputation for outstanding quality and dedication to authenticity
are a perfect fit for WWE," added Casey Collins, Executive Vice
President, Consumer Products for WWE. "This new partnership will ensure
that WWE continues to be one of the leading video game brands in the
world and we look forward to continuing the franchise with the benefit
of their expertise across a variety of platforms."
"The development work on the WWE franchise is impressive,
and we're excited to combine our background in developing the NBA
2K series with theirs in this new partnership," concluded Greg
Thomas, Executive Vice President of 2K Sports. "Fans can expect the most
authentic WWE experience on game consoles this fall."
Developed by Yukes, WWE '14 is not yet rated by the ESRB
and will be available for consoles in the fall of 2013.
For more information on 2K, visit www.2K.com.
2K is a wholly owned publishing label of Take-Two Interactive Software (News - Alert),
Inc. (NASDAQ: TTWO).
About WWE
WWE, a publicly traded company (WWE), is an integrated media
organization and recognized leader in global entertainment. The company
consists of a portfolio of businesses that create and deliver original
content 52 weeks a year to a global audience. WWE is committed to family
friendly entertainment on its television programming, pay-per-view,
digital media and publishing platforms. WWE programming is broadcast in
more than 145 countries and 30 languages and reaches more than 600
million homes worldwide. The company is headquartered in Stamford,
Conn., with offices in New York, Los Angeles, Miami, London, Mumbai,
Shanghai, Singapore, Istanbul and Tokyo.
Additional information on WWE (WWE) can be found at wwe.com and
corporate.wwe.com. For information on our global activities, go to http://www.wwe.com/worldwide/.
Trademarks: All WWE programming, talent
names, images, likenesses, slogans, wrestling moves, trademarks, logos
and copyrights are the exclusive property of WWE and its subsidiaries.
All other trademarks, logos and copyrights are the property of their
respective owners.
Forward-Looking Statements: This press
release contains forward-looking statements pursuant to the safe harbor
provisions of the Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, which are
subject to various risks and uncertainties. These risks and
uncertainties include, without limitation, risks relating to maintaining
and renewing key agreements, including television and pay-per-view
programming distribution agreements; the need for continually developing
creative and entertaining programming; the continued importance of key
performers and the services of Vincent McMahon; the conditions of the
markets in which we compete and acceptance of the Company's brands,
media and merchandise within those markets; our exposure to bad debt
risk; uncertainties relating to regulatory and litigation matters; risks
resulting from the highly competitive nature of our markets;
uncertainties associated with international markets; the importance of
protecting our intellectual property and complying with the intellectual
property rights of others; risks associated with producing and
travelling to and from our large live events, both domestically and
internationally; the risk of accidents or injuries during our physically
demanding events; risks relating to our film business; risks relating to
increasing content production for distribution on various platforms,
including the potential creation of a WWE Network; risks relating to our
computer systems and online operations; risks relating to the large
number of shares of common stock controlled by members of the McMahon
family and the possibility of the sale of their stock by the McMahons or
the perception of the possibility of such sales; the relatively small
public float of our stock; and other risks and factors set forth from
time to time in Company filings with the Securities and Exchange
Commission. Actual results could differ materially from those currently
expected or anticipated. In addition, our dividend is dependent on a
number of factors, including, among other things, our liquidity and
historical and projected cash flow, strategic plan (including
alternative uses of capital), our financial results and condition,
contractual and legal restrictions on the payment of dividends, general
economic and competitive conditions and such other factors as our Board
of Directors may consider relevant.
About 2K
Founded in 2005, 2K develops and publishes interactive entertainment for
console systems, handheld gaming systems and personal computers,
including smartphones and tablets through its three divisions: 2K Games,
2K Sports, and 2K Play that are delivered through physical retail,
digital download, online platforms and cloud streaming services. 2K
publishes titles in today's most popular gaming genres, including
first-person shooters, action, role-playing, real-time strategy, sports,
casual, and family entertainment. The 2K label has some of the most
talented development studios in the world today, including Firaxis
Games, Visual Concepts, Irrational Games, 2K Marin, 2K Australia, 2K
Czech, Cat Daddy Games, and 2K China. 2K has achieved many key industry
milestones, including launching the 2007 Game of the Year - BioShock®;
publishing the critically acclaimed Borderlands® franchise;
continuing the award-winning Sid Meier's Civilization®
series; delivering the #1 rated and #1 selling basketball franchise with NBA®
2K*; and breaking new ground in the family entertainment market with
its multi-million unit selling hit Carnival Games. 2K is
headquartered in Novato, California and is a wholly owned label of
Take-Two Interactive Software, Inc. (NASDAQ: TTWO). For more
information, please visit www.2K.com.
*According to 2008 - 2013�Metacritic.com and The�NPD Group (News - Alert) estimates
of U.S. retail video game sales through January 2013.
All trademarks and copyrights contained herein are the property of their
respective holders.
About Take-Two Interactive Software
Headquartered in New York City, Take-Two Interactive Software, Inc. is a
leading developer, marketer and publisher of interactive entertainment
for consumers around the globe. The Company develops and publishes
products through its two wholly-owned labels Rockstar Games and 2K,
which publishes its titles under the 2K Games, 2K Sports and 2K Play
brands. Our products are designed for console systems, handheld gaming
systems and personal computers, including smartphones and tablets, and
are delivered through physical retail, digital download, online
platforms and cloud streaming services. The Company's common stock is
publicly traded on NASDAQ under the symbol TTWO. For more corporate and
product information please visit our website at http://www.take2games.com.
Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements
The statements contained herein which are not historical facts are
considered forward-looking statements under federal securities laws and
may be identified by words such as "anticipates," "believes,"
"estimates," "expects," "intends," "plans," "potential," "predicts,"
"projects," "seeks," "will," or words of similar meaning and include,
but are not limited to, statements regarding the outlook for the
Company's future business and financial performance. Such
forward-looking statements are based on the current beliefs of our
management as well as assumptions made by and information currently
available to them, which are subject to inherent uncertainties, risks
and changes in circumstances that are difficult to predict. Actual
outcomes and results may vary materially from these forward-looking
statements based on a variety of risks and uncertainties including: our
dependence on key management and product development personnel, our
dependence on our Grand Theft Auto products and our ability to develop
other hit titles for current generation platforms, the timely release
and significant market acceptance of our games, the ability to maintain
acceptable pricing levels on our games, our ability to raise capital if
needed and risks associated with international operations. Other
important factors and information are contained in the Company's Annual
Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2012, in the
section entitled "Risk Factors," and the Company's other periodic
filings with the SEC (News - Alert), which can be accessed at www.take2games.com.
All forward-looking statements are qualified by these cautionary
statements and apply only as of the date they are made. The Company
undertakes no obligation to update any forward-looking statement,
whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.
Photos/Multimedia Gallery Available: http://www.businesswire.com/multimedia/home/20130220006396/en/
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