EA + EPIC + SUDA51 = WTF?!

August 14, 2008

EA Partners Inks Publishing Deal With Epic, Grasshopper

EA Partners Inks Publishing Deal With Epic, Grasshopper Electronic Arts has inked deals with two new partners in Grasshopper Manufacture and Epic Games, the company announced today at its showcase event.

Under a new studio deal, EA Partners will publish a new "action-horror" title, produced by Resident Evil creator Shinji Mikami and directed by renowned designer Goichi "Suda51" Suda, of Killer 7 and No More Heroes fame.

The title will release on PC, Xbox 360, PlayStation 3 and Wii, EA says, adding that Q Entertainment (Lumines) helped broker the deal and will work with Grasshopper and EAP on the game.

Suda, CEO of Grasshopper Manufacture, said EA is a "great partner who shares our commitment to quality and innovation while respecting our independence as a studio, which is very empowering."

As for EA's partnership with Epic, it comprises a publishing agreement for an action title on PC, Xbox 360 and PS3 -- it's based on a new IP and is in development with Polish Painkiller developer People Can Fly, who also worked on the PC version of Gears of War.

At the announcement event attended by Gamasutra, Epic VP Marc Rein appeared with a, "Hey, surprise!" He told attendees that he approached People Can Fly and told them, "We said, here's buckets of money -- make a new IP, make something as cool as Painkiller."

Frank Gibeau, president of the EA Games label, commented, "In the last year, EAP has become a powerhouse player in the publishing world with the best of breed developers signing on to leverage EA’s studio-focused philosophy, global scale and publishing leadership."

Legendary Producer Shinji Mikami and Innovative Designer Suda51

Working with EA Partners on an All-New Action Horror Title

REDWOOD CITY, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Aug. 14, 2008--Electronic Arts Inc. (NASDAQ:ERTS) today announced a publishing agreement with iconic Japanese development studio Grasshopper Manufacture. Under the terms of the deal, EA Partners will publish an all-new action horror game produced by Shinji Mikami and directed by innovative game designer Suda51.

The title is being developed for the PC, Xbox 360(R) video game system from Microsoft, PLAYSTATION(R)3 computer entertainment system and Wii(TM).

"Grasshopper Manufacture is excited to work with EA Partners to bring our new title to gamers around the world," said Goichi Suda, CEO of Grasshopper Manufacture. "They are a great partner who shares our commitment to quality and innovation while respecting our independence as a studio, which is very empowering."

"It is an honor for EA to sign Grasshopper Manufacture and help bring their new franchise to gamers worldwide," said Frank Gibeau, President of the EA Games Label. "The roster of partners at EA is growing and the caliber of talent is outstanding. Grasshopper Manufacture is a world-class studio and, within the EA partner program, they stand alongside some of the world's most revered independent studios."

"Grasshopper Manufacture is one of the most daring and innovative independent studios in the world, and EA Partners is honored to be working with Mikami-san and Suda-san on this new project," said David DeMartini, senior vice president and general manager, EA Partners. "EA Partners is a truly global resource for the world's best independent developers, whether they're in North America, Europe or Asia."

The deal was brokered by CAA, in conjunction with Q Entertainment who will be working with Grasshopper Manufacture and EAP on the project.

EA Partners Team up With the Creators of the Award-Winning Gears of War and Unreal Series to Publish an All-New IP


REDWOOD CITY, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Aug. 14, 2008--Electronic Arts Inc. (NASDAQ:ERTS) and Epic Games, Inc. today announced that they have signed a publishing agreement for an all-new action title for the PC, Xbox 360(R) video game system and PLAYSTATION(R)3 computer entertainment system. The new intellectual property is currently in development by Epic's People Can Fly studio in Poland.

"Epic is excited to work with EA Partners to launch our next big IP on the global stage," said Mark Rein, vice president, Epic Games. "EA Partners gives independent developers like Epic the muscle of a global publisher like EA, along with the focus and flexibility of a smaller team committed to working with our individual needs."

"In the last year, EAP has become a powerhouse player in the publishing world with the best of breed developers signing on to leverage EA's studio-focused philosophy, global scale and publishing leadership," said Frank Gibeau, President of the EA Games Label. "Epic brings first class talent and technology to the development of this new title. We are very proud to have Epic join the growing roster of EA Partners."

"Epic is a legendary studio that is synonymous with quality and EA Partners jumped at the chance to team up with them on the launch of their next blockbuster IP," said David DeMartini, senior vice president and general manager, EA Partners. "EA Partners is committed to giving the world's best independent developers access to EA's global publishing resources, letting them focus on what they do best - making great games."