Warthog PLC
04 July 2003
4TH JULY 2003
PRESS RELEASE
WARTHOG PLC
('Warthog' or 'the Group')
WARTHOG TO DEVELOP HARRY POTTER AND THE PHILOSOPHER'S STONE GAME ON
NEXT-GEN CONSOLES
Warthog signs deal with Electronic Arts
For the first time ever, Harry PotterTM fans will be able to experience the magic
of Harry's first year at HogwartsTM with next generation graphics and updated
gameplay in the Harry Potter and the Philosopher's StoneTM game from Electronic
Arts. Under the supervision of EA's UK Studio, Warthog plc is developing the
title for the PlayStation(R)2, XboxTM and Nintendo GameCubeTM systems. The game is
scheduled for release in the autumn of 2003 under the EA GAMESTM brand.
Continuing the successful game design style first used in Harry Potter and the
Chamber of Secrets, the graphics and gameplay for Harry Potter and the
Philosopher's Stone are updated for next-generation consoles for an even richer
experience in Hogwarts year one. Making the most of Warthog's proprietary TUSKTM
technology, the locations in and around Hogwarts and Diagon AlleyTM are displayed
in spectacular 3D graphics.
Players take the role of Harry Potter as he arrives for his first year at
Hogwarts and embarks on a journey to unravel the mystery of the Philosopher's
Stone. Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone allows players to explore a
variety of multi-layered 3D environments.
Enquiries
Andrew Gething
Corporate Development - Warthog plc 0161 608 1200
Ashley Hall
CEO Warthog plc 0161 608 1200
David Simonson/ Clare Maciocia
Merlin Financial Communications 0207 606 1244
Notes to Editors
Warthog plc
Warthog plc is one of the leading independent games software developers. The
Company, based in Manchester, UK with offices in the USA and Sweden was
established in 1997 and has been profitable since creation. Warthog prides
itself on its highly experienced 250 + strong development team, whose combined
experience covers more than 1,500 games titles across all major platforms and
most games genres.
At present, the Company is working with numerous high profile licensees to
develop video game versions of such entities as Battlestar Galactica, Richard
Burns Rally Championship and Looney Tunes: Back in Action with Mace Griffin
Bounty Hunter now released. Further to developing games across all platforms,
Warthog retains strong relationships with major international publishers across
the industry, including THQ, Electronic Arts, Activision, Universal Studios,
Warner Bros, SCi, BBC and Infogrames. Warthog's first mobile game was
successfully published in 2001.
Warthog plc successfully floated on the Alternative Investment Market on the 1st
February 2001.
About Electronic Arts
Electronic Arts, headquartered in Redwood City, California, is the world's
leading interactive entertainment software company. Founded in 1982, Electronic
Arts posted revenues of $2.5 billion for fiscal 2003. The company develops,
publishes and distributes interactive software worldwide for video game systems,
personal computers and the Internet. Electronic Arts markets its products under
three brand names: EA SPORTSTM, EA GAMESTM, and EA SPORTS BIGTM. EA's homepage and
online game site is EA.COMTM. More information about EA's products and full text
of press releases can be found on the Internet at http://info.ea.com.
Electronic Arts, EA SPORTS, EA SPORTS BIG, and EA GAMES are trademarks or
registered trademarks of Electronic Arts Inc. in the U.S. and/or other
countries. EA.COM is a service mark of EA.com Inc. PlayStation is a registered
trademark of Sony Computer Entertainment Inc. Nintendo GameCube is a trademark
of Nintendo. Microsoft and Xbox are either trademarks or registered trademarks
of Microsoft Corporation in the U.S. and/or other countries and are used under
license from Microsoft. All other trademarks are the property of their
respective owners.
HARRY POTTER, characters, names and related indicia are trademarks of and (c)
Warner Bros. Entertainment Inc. Harry Potter Publishing Rights (c) JKR.
(s03)
This information is provided by RNS
The company news service from the London Stock Exchange