Victorious Boxers for PlayStation 2 Arrives at Retail

Empire Interactive Announces the Release of Its First North American PlayStation 2 Title Nov. 13 /PRNewswire/ -- Empire Interactive and Vivendi Universal Interactive Publishing announced today that Victorious Boxers for the PlayStation 2 computer entertainment system has shipped to stores nationwide. Victorious Boxers marks the first PlayStation 2 title published under the new North American publishing and distribution agreement with Vivendi Universal Interactive Publishing.

"We are excited to kick off our relationship with Empire Interactive, and we are looking forward to releasing many more console product in the years ahead," said Philip O'Neil, Senior Vice President, Vivendi Universal Interactive Publishing North America. "Our partnership with Empire will allow us to increase our console portfolio as well as add new gaming franchises including Starsky and Hutch, Antz Racing and Endgame."

"The launch of Victorious Boxers is proving to be an excellent opportunity to build a solid foundation for our relationship with Vivendi Universal," said James Lamorticelli, General Manager, Empire Interactive. "The teams have great synergy and have enjoyed working together on a product that has received positive accolades from consumers."

Victorious Boxers provides a combination of arcade and sim style boxing. This combination provides gamers with a mix of both hard-hitting graphics and an in-depth storyline.

Victorious Boxers Key Product Features:

• Play as the Victorious Boxer "Ippo," or as any one of the other 43 different boxers with unique looks, personalities, fighting styles, and moves



• 10 different fighting locations, including a special section set in the 1920's with old style rope boxing rings



• Special bonus level with surprise opponent



• Four different weight classes each with signature moves, and specifically highlighted skill sets



• Realistic boxing action, including fluid body/muscle movements, complicated attack and defense combinations

The game differs from other boxing titles in that it offers career progression through constant improvement, and gamers must learn new moves to progress. Listen to your "Trainer," and he will advise you as each fight progresses.

Victorious Boxers is available now for a suggested retail price of $49.99 and has an ESRB rating of "T" for Teen. The game was developed by Japan-based ESP under license from Kodansha, and published by Empire Interactive. Vivendi Universal Interactive Publishing is distributing the title in North America.

About Empire Interactive
Founded in 1987, Empire Interactive (London: EMP) is a leading publisher of interactive entertainment software. The company is publicly traded on the Alternative Investment Market (AIM) of the London Stock Exchange. Headquartered in the UK, Empire Interactive also has offices in the US, Germany, Italy and Spain. The company develops and publishes a varied range of titles for the PlayStation(R) game console, PlayStation(R)2 computer entertainment system, and other next generation console systems, handheld systems, and multimedia PC markets in the US, Europe and Asia. Further information about Empire Interactive and its products can be found at: http://www.empireinteractive.com/us/

About Vivendi Universal Publishing
Vivendi Universal Publishing (VU Publishing), the publishing division of the world's second largest communications group (Vivendi Universal), is an international leader in multi-platform publishing and content distribution. As one of the top three players in the global publishing market and the only publisher with an international reach, the Company's key content areas include literature, reference, education, games and consumer press. VU Publishing publishes content in four major languages, including English, French, Spanish and Portuguese, and has strong local publishing brands, including Anaya, Atica, Houghton Mifflin, Knowledge Adventure, Larousse, Nathan and Scipione. In the games category, VU Publishing is a leading publisher of online, PC and console-based games. Its studios include Blizzard Entertainment, Sierra Entertainment and Universal Interactive.

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SOURCE Vivendi Universal Publishing