Video Gaming News - March 2004
San Francisco, CA (March 23, 2004) - SEGA today announced the release
of Samurai Jack: The Shadow of Aku for Nintendo GameCube and Sony PlayStation 2.
From Sega:
Developed by Adrenium (an Amaze Entertainment Studio), and licensed by
Cartoon Network™ and Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment, "The Shadow of Aku"
delivers a 3D interactive experience that captures the look and feel of Cartoon
Network's popular animated series.
As Samurai Jack, players face-off against characters from the show, including
Mad Jack and the Scotsman, while trying to find the time portal home to save the
kingdom from the evil Aku. During the course of the adventure, players solve
elaborate puzzles, release prisoners trapped under lock and key, and master both
melee and projectile combat maneuvers.
Adrenium Studios worked closely with Samurai Jack creator Genndy Tartakovsky to
develop a broadly appealing action game that incorporates all the visual,
audible, and thematic elements of the animated series, including the use of key
voice actors and playful references to specific episodes. The show's striking
imagery was painstakingly reworked into 3D, and the easy-to-learn controls allow
players to pull off the same flashy combos and powerful strikes that have made
Jack an action icon on television.
"We are happy to align the launch of ‘Samurai Jack: The Shadow of Aku' with the
Cartoon Network series and the upcoming release of Samurai Jack: Season One on
DVD," said Scott A. Steinberg, vice president of entertainment marketing, SEGA
of America, Inc. "The Samurai Jack property lends itself to diverse gameplay and
high-action interactive fun. Game fans can expect more high quality, mass-market
games carrying the SEGA brand as part of a new initiative to blend acquired
content with award-winning, internally-developed IP."
"Interactive games are a great way to give gamers the chance to participate in
the adventures of favorite characters, like Samurai Jack. Because everyone
expects a high level of detail and artistry from Samurai Jack, we knew we had to
execute our first console game for this property perfectly," said John Friend,
senior vice president, Cartoon Network Enterprises. "We tapped into Samurai
Jack's creative team at every phase of development to make sure that ‘Samurai
Jack: The Shadow of Aku' is a seamless extension of the Emmy-winning series by
Genndy Tartakovsky. We think gamers and Samurai Jack fans will be pleased."
Warner Home Video has recently announced the May 4th release of the first 13
episodes in a two-disk DVD box set titled: Samurai Jack: Season One. Samurai
Jack debuted on Cartoon Network in November 2001. During the first weekend it
aired, more than 11.5 million viewers tuned in to multiple broadcasts of the
90-minute premiere. Since then, Samurai Jack has established a strong fan base
with its distinctive, hard-edged look and its tongue-in-cheek dialogue. On
average, over 2 million viewers tune in for each telecast. Of that audience,
more than 13% are adults 18-34, making Samurai Jack one of Cartoon Network's top
shows among young adults.
"Samurai Jack: The Shadow of Aku" is rated "T" for Teen and is available at
retailers nationwide for an MSRP of $39.95.
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