Video Gaming News - January 2004
San Francisco, CA (January 27, 2004) - SEGA of America today announced
a partnership with Sony Pictures Consumer Products to bring Astro Boy to the
PlayStation 2 and Game Boy Advance.
From SEGA:
Astro Boy, created by Osamu Tezuka in 1951, is one of the most recognized
characters in Japanese animation and is poised to captivate television audiences
as the star of a brand-new animated series on the Kids' WB!.
The console version of "Astro Boy(tm)," created exclusively for the
PlayStation 2, is currently in development at Sonic Team under the direction of
Yuji Naka, the creator of SEGA's world-famous Sonic The Hedgehog® series. The
Game Boy Advance release, entitled "Astro Boy(tm): Omega Factor," is currently
in development at SEGA's Hitmaker studios (in cooperation with legendary
Japanese developer Treasure).
"We plan to take full advantage of the powerful marketing rollout behind this
license, led by the Astro Boy animated series," said Scott A. Steinberg, vice
president of entertainment marketing, SEGA of America, Inc. "Bringing the Astro
Boy franchise to the PS2 and GBA, in partnership with Sony Pictures Consumer
Products and Tezuka Productions, underscores our ongoing commitment to publish
exciting, revenue generating licensed content for the U.S. market."
"We're very excited to be partnering with Sega for 'Astro Boy'," said Al
Ovadia, executive vice president, Sony Pictures Consumer Products. "Sega is a
leader in the interactive entertainment category. We're sure they'll develop a
video game that captures all the action packed adventure of the new anime
series."
Tezuka, known as the pioneer of Japanese animation and "father of manga,"
created the Astro Boy character more than 50 years ago. Often compared in
popularity to Mickey Mouse, Astro Boy was also the first Japanese animated
television show shown in America and, during the 1960s, the highest rated show
in syndication. Airing in more than 40 countries Sand selling more than 80
million comic books and $3 billion in merchandise and airing in over 40
countries, the beloved character has amassed a global following that borders on
cult status.
"Astro Boy" and "Astro Boy: Omega Factor" are slated for release in the U.S.
in Summer 2004.
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