Activision/ABC: “Wipeout In the Zone” [X360]

SANTA MONICA, Calif., March 16, 2011 /PRNewswire/ — Activision Publishing, Inc. (Nasdaq: ATVI) and ABC Entertainment Group today announced that Wipeout In the Zone is coming this summer to Kinect™, controller-free games and entertainment, for Xbox 360®.  Based on the ABC hit show Wipeout, Wipeout In the Zone will be the latest release in this hit video game franchise and will have players running, ducking, dodging and wiping out using Kinect for Xbox 360’s full-motion capabilities right in their own living room.

“The ABC hit show Wipeout continues to thrill a growing fan base of viewers with hilarious new obstacles. Everyone who watches the show wishes they could try the obstacle course — and now this is their chance!” said David Oxford, Activision Publishing. “The show is all about absurd movement and well-timed balance, so it’s a perfect fit for a Kinect game.”

Wipeout In the Zone features over thirty outrageous obstacles that will test players’ limits in more ridiculous ways than ever. Players can try to run the entire course in one shot, conquering one challenge after another, such as leaping over a pool of water using the infamous “Big Balls” and maneuvering their players to avoid being pummeled by the “Smack Wall Sweeper.” Once again featuring the talents and hilarious commentary of the show’s hosts, John Anderson, John Hensonand co-host Jill Wagner, Wipeout In the Zone will bring hours upon hours of fun and laughter for the entire family.

“We are thrilled to be continuing our successful relationship with ABC and Activision,” said David Goldberg, Chairman of Endemol North America. “Not only is this new ‘Wipeout’ game filled with even more humor, spills and thrills, but now the entire family can play interactively with the new full motions capabilities. This game introduces a new level of excitement for Wipeout fans of all ages to play.”

Wipeout In The Zone will be Kinect ready for the Xbox 360® video game and entertainment system from Microsoft, and available on retail shelves this summer in conjunction with the premier of Wipeout’s summer season on ABC.

“Wipeout” executive producers are Matt Kunitz (“Fear Factor”) and Scott Larsen. Shye Sutherland, Kevin Wehrenberg, Trice Barto and J. Rupert Thompson are co-executive producers. The series is produced by Endemol USA. David Goldberg is the chairman of Endemol North America.

This game is not yet rated by the ESRB. For more information, please visit www.activision.com.

About ABC Entertainment Group

ABC Television Network provides broadcast programming to more than 220 affiliated stations across the U.S. The Network encompasses ABC News, which is responsible for news programming on television and other digital platforms; ABC Entertainment Group, a partnership between ABC Studios and ABC Entertainment responsible for the network’s primetime and late-night entertainment programming; ABC Daytime, producer of the network’s successful cache of daytime programming; as well as ABC Kids, the Network’s children’s programming platform. ABC’s multiplatform business initiative includes the Interactive Emmy Award-winning broadband player on ABC.com

About Endemol USA

Endemol USA is a leading producer of television and digital programming specializing in unscripted and scripted genres for network and cable television. The company produces the hit shows “Wipeout,” “Extreme Makeover: Home Edition,” “Deal or No Deal,” and “Big Brother.” Endemol USA is a division of the Endemol Group, a leading international content developer, producer and distributor of television and online programming. The company, headquartered in the Netherlands and the UK, has subsidiaries and joint ventures in 26 countries, including the major European markets, the U.S.,South Africa, Argentina, Brazil, Mexico and Australia. Endemol is owned by a consortium consisting of Goldman Sachs Capital Partners, Mediaset Group and Cyrte Group. For more information, please visit www.endemolusa.tv. Endemol is a privately held company.

About Activision Publishing, Inc.

Headquartered in Santa Monica, California, Activision Publishing, Inc. is a leading worldwide developer, publisher and distributor of interactive entertainment and leisure products.

Activision Publishing maintains operations in the U.S., Canada, the United Kingdom, France,Germany, Ireland, Italy, Sweden, Spain, Norway, Denmark, the Netherlands, Australia, Russia,Japan, South Korea, China and the region of Taiwan. More information about Activision and its products can be found on the company’s website, www.activision.com.