Heatwave Interactive Brings Swagger of Multi-Platinum Recording Artist, T.I. to New Hip-Hop Inspired Online Game

Heatwave Interactive Brings Swagger of Multi-Platinum Recording Artist, T.I. to New Hip-Hop Inspired Online Game

AUSTIN, Texas, July 30 /PRNewswire/ -- Heatwave Interactive, game studio and online publisher, announced today that Grammy Award-winning artist, T.I. and his company, Grand Hustle Records have signed on to appear in Platinum Life. A new online game set in the world of music and hip-hop, Platinum Life will provide the ultimate interactive entertainment platform for artists to connect with their fans.

Platinum Life allows players to enter the music world where they start as an unsigned musician and ultimately reach superstar celebrity status. Users start with little more than talent and a dream. But the dream is enough - players work their way up, perform tasks for iconic hip-hop stars, do shows at local dive bars and clubs, clawing their way up in the music industry by being around the best and the brightest artists, allowing them to upgrade every aspect of their life. In Platinum Life, T.I. will guide players in their adventure from struggling musician to successful artist.

Platinum Life represents a new business model for artists that empowers them to truly engage their fans that is equally beneficial as an entertainment experience and sustainable revenue generator.

"Our online game experience allows top-level artists to share their music, video and lifestyle with their huge fan bases in a personal and innovative way," said Anthony Castoro, co-founder and chief creative officer, Heatwave Interactive. "We feel that T.I.'s music, message and deeply engaged fan base make him ideal as an icon within the game."

"Heatwave Interactive understood the love T.I. has for his millions of fans and his need to establish a stronger connection with them in a way that is interactive and real," said Jason Geter, CEO of Grand Hustle, LLC.

T.I., co-CEO and founder of Grand Hustle Records, is a successful recording artist, producer and actor. Once called "the Jay Z of the South," T.I. has gained notoriety for his #1 albums, T.I. vs. T.I.P. and Paper Trail and chart-topping singles, "Live Your Life" featuring Rihanna, "My Love" with Justin Timberlake and "Whatever You Like." In 2006, T.I. broke into the acting world with his debut in ATL, later staring in blockbuster film, American Gangster. He will also be featured in the upcoming movie, Takers, alongside Zoe Saldana and Matt Dillion.

The game is currently in the early stages of development with Heatwave Interactive exploring relationships with some of today's iconic artists in hip-hop, R&B and pop music to be part of the Platinum Life experience. The company has designed a business model that provides a revenue stream for artists while also creating a new way for gamers who love music to express themselves, develop and deepen their relationship with their favorite artists.

About Heatwave Interactive:

Founded in 2007 by games industry professional Anthony Castoro (EA, Sony Online Entertainment) and successful entrepreneur Donn Clendenon (World Gaming Corporation, I-Sun Networks), Heatwave Interactive is an entertainment production company responsible for developing original and licensed IP for video games. Their vision to create, develop and finance IP in a manner that is relatively unique to the traditional video game financing model. Heatwave Interactive's model provides investors a vehicle for direct investment in original IP. All Heatwave Interactive generated IP is online-enabled and has extensive crossover into film and television.

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Source: Heatwave Interactive

CONTACT: Wendy Zaas, +1-310-854-8148, wzaas@rogersandcowan.com, Ivy
Mollenkamp, +1-310-854-8131, imollenkamp@rogersandcowan.com, both of Rogers &
Cowan, for Heatwave Interactive

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Profile: International Entertainment