Namco Announces First Details for Curious George(TM) Video Game

Namco Announces First Details for Curious George(TM) Video Game

Join Curious George for Hours of Mischief, Friends and Fun Based on Universal Pictures' and Imagine Entertainment's Upcoming Feature Film

SANTA CLARA, Calif., Oct. 24 /PRNewswire/ -- Leading video games developer and publisher Namco Hometek Inc. today announced the first details for the Curious George(TM) video game, based on Universal Pictures' and Imagine Entertainment's February 10th animated feature film release of the same name. The game, made possible through an agreement with Universal Studios Consumer Products Group, invites players to assume the role of the curious monkey as he sets off on the adventure of a lifetime -- filled with mischief, friends and fun. An action adventure title, Curious George is scheduled for release in February 2006 for the PlayStation(R)2 computer entertainment system, Xbox(R) video game system, Nintendo GameCube(TM), Game Boy(R) Advance and PC.

For more than 60 years, children and adults alike have followed the tales of a little monkey named George -- known for his fun-loving nature and insatiable taste for curiosity. Fans can now join Curious George on an exciting interactive adventure and will be able to jump into the action as Curious George in a variety of levels based closely on the animated feature film. The story begins as The Man With the Yellow Hat travels to the jungle in search of an artifact exotic enough to save the museum where he works. Naturally, George follows him back to the big city and embarks on a series of mis-adventures. Players control George as he runs, jumps, climbs and swings his way around Africa, the museum, The Man With the Yellow Hat's apartment and more -- solving puzzles and interacting with new friends from the movie.

It wouldn't be Curious George without a bit of mischief, so the game's environments are filled with "curious objects" that George can explore such as opening drawers to dig through papers, spilling paint cans or unlocking latches on suitcases and watching the clothes fall out. As George gets himself into one humorous predicament after another, players will need to use George's skills, which include distracting performances and crafty escapes, to elude trouble. The game also features special unlockables, such as mini-games, so players will have hours of bonus content to complement the main storyline.

"Generations of parents and children worldwide have enjoyed reading about Curious George's adventures, and our goal is to create a video game that captures the spirit of this playful and lovable monkey," said Jeff Lujan, business director, Namco Hometek Inc. "Together with Universal, Namco is developing a game world that focuses on action and exploration within large, interactive environments to make sure there is plenty of opportunity for adventure and mischief!"

"Curious George is a beloved character here at Universal and we are proud to bring him to video game consoles and handheld gaming systems," said Bill Kispert, vice president of interactive at Universal Studios Consumer Products Group. "George's characteristics are just right for fun-filled, family- oriented gameplay, and these games will be the perfect way for fans to extend their enjoyment of the Curious George feature film at home."

Curious George is developed for consoles and the PC by Monkey Bar Games, and for handheld gaming systems by Torus Games.

For more information about the Curious George video game, visit http://www.namco.com/.

About Namco Hometek Inc.

Namco Hometek Inc. is the U.S. consumer division of Namco Limited, a Tokyo-based world leader in the high-tech entertainment industry. Based in Santa Clara, CA, Namco Hometek Inc. is an award-winning video games publisher for next generation game consoles. Namco has created some of the industry's greatest video game franchises: Tekken(R), SOULCALIBUR(R), Dead to Rights(R), Pac-Man World(TM), Ridge Racer(R), Time Crisis(R) and ACECOMBAT(TM). For more information about Namco and its products log onto www.namco.com.

TEKKEN(R), SOULCALIBUR(R), PAC-MAN WORLD(TM), Ridge Racer(R), Time Crisis(R) and ACECOMBAT(TM) are trademarks or registered trademarks of Namco Limited in the United States and/or other countries. Dead to Rights(TM) is a trademark or registered trademark of Namco Hometek Inc. in the United States and/or other countries.

Curious George and related characters, created by Margret and H. A. Rey, are copyrighted and trademarked by Houghton Mifflin Company and used under license. Licensed by Universal Studios Licensing LLLP. All rights reserved.

"PlayStation" and the "PS" Family logo are registered trademarks of Sony Computer Entertainment Inc.

Xbox, Xbox 360, and the Xbox logos are either registered trademarks or trademarks of Microsoft Corporation in the United States and/or other countries and are used under license from owner.

LICENSED BY NINTENDO. NINTENDO, GAME BOY, GAME BOY ADVANCE AND THE OFFICIAL SEAL ARE TRADEMARKS OF NINTENDO.

(TM), (R) and Nintendo GameCube are trademarks of Nintendo.

About Curious George books

Originally published in 1941, the book Curious George has never been out of print since. Authors H. A. Rey and his wife Margret, creative partners who fled Europe during the Nazi occupation and settled in Cambridge, Massachusetts, wrote the original seven Curious George tales. In 1998 Houghton-Mifflin began publishing new Curious George adventures and continues to release new titles and formats. Curious George titles have sold more than 27 million copies worldwide and have been published in 17 languages, making the little monkey who left the jungle with The Man With the Yellow Hat one of the best-selling and most enduring characters in children's literature.

"Curious George" movie merchandise (C) Universal Studios. Curious George and related characters, created by Margret and H.A. Rey, are copyrighted and trademarked by Houghton Mifflin Company and used under license. Licensed Universal Studios Licensing LLLP. All rights reserved.

About Curious George film

Universal Pictures and Imagine Entertainment bring Curious George, the original "monkey see, monkey do" chimp, to the screen in an all-new animated adventure based upon the beloved tales that have been enchanting readers for more than 60 years. George, the inquisitive little guy with an insatiable taste for adventure, sets off in a brand new tale for the big screen, where his spunky and fun-loving nature endears him to new friends he meets along the way and (of course) lands him in a series of (mis-) adventures.

Produced by Brian Grazer, Ron Howard, Jon Shapiro and David Kirschner, Curious George is directed by Matt O'Callaghan. Will Ferrell (Elf, Old School) lends his voice to The Man With the Yellow Hat. Dick Van Dyke, Drew Barrymore, David Cross, Eugene Levy and Joan Plowright are also among the distinguished cast of voices.

This film has not yet been rated. Please consult www.filmratings.com or www.parentalguide.org for more information.

About Curious George TV

Universal Home Entertainment Productions (UHEP), Imagine Entertainment and WGBH Boston, a leading public television producer, are producing an animated Curious George preschool television series based on the literary classic. Curious George will use George's insatiable curiosity as a way of acquainting preschoolers with key concepts in math, science and design engineering technology. The series will encourage inquiry and curiosity, promote hands-on exploration, and show parents and caregivers how to support children's science and math-related play. George's memorable misadventures from dismantling clocks to rounding up errant bunnies will offer a perfect vehicle for motivating kids to expand their own investigations of the world. William H. Macy will narrate the series.

About Universal Studios Consumer Products Group

Universal Studios Consumer Products Group is responsible for global licensing and retail strategies as well as building brand recognition of the extensive catalogue of NBC Universal properties. Universal Studios Consumer Products Group is a unit of NBC Universal, one of the world's leading media and entertainment companies in the development, production, and marketing of entertainment, news, and information to a global audience. Formed in May 2004 through the combining of NBC and Vivendi Universal Entertainment, NBC Universal owns and operates the No. 1 television network, the fastest-growing Spanish-language network, a valuable portfolio of news and entertainment networks, a premier motion picture company, significant television production operations, a leading television stations group, and world-renowned theme parks. NBC Universal is 80%-owned by General Electric, with 20% controlled by Vivendi Universal.

Source: Namco Hometek Inc.

CONTACT: For Namco Hometek Inc.: Consumer, Chris Kooluris, HighWater Group, +1-212-338-0077 ext. 313, chris@highwatergroup.com; Gaming, Kit Ellis, Kohnke Communications, +1-415-777-4000, kit@kohnkecomm.com; Kristin Calcagno, Namco Hometek Inc., +1-408-235-2132, kcalcagno@namco.com

Web site: http://www.namco.com/

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