| Multi-Year Deal Includes Rights To Produce
Video Games for PC, Mac and Console Platforms
NEW YORK, NY -- April 26, 2001 - Further strengthening its position as a global
leader in mass-market interactive entertainment, Infogrames, Inc. (Nasdaq: IFGM) today
announced a major licensing agreement with CBS Consumer Products to develop a line of
interactive games based on the CBS network television phenomenon, Survivor. Under
terms of the agreement, Infogrames has acquired the exclusive rights to develop and
publish games in the United States and Canada for PC and Mac, as well as current and
next-generation console platforms including handheld systems. The first game, slated
for release in late 2001, will be based on the current Survivor: The Australian Outback
series. It is being published by Infogrames' WizardWorks division and is developed
by Magic Lantern Playware, a creative business unit of Gold Creek Technology.
"Survivor has captivated and attracted
legions of viewers around the world, and we're excited to partner with CBS Consumer
Products in bringing this phenomenally popular series to a new medium for fans to
enjoy," said Paul Rinde, senior vice president and general manager of WizardWorks.
"We're confident that we can meld all of the key aspects of the Survivor
concept with the latest technology to create immersive and compelling games with broad
appeal to a huge gaming audience."
Survivor places 16 ordinary people in remote
regions of the world to live off the land and fend for themselves, while simultaneously
competing in a series of challenges and competitions. In each episode, one person is
voted off the island by the others, with the last remaining "Survivor" winning
the grand prize of one million dollars.
With viewers riveted to this ultimate challenge
of wits and endurance, the Survivor phenomenon began in 2000 and continued to draw
increasingly larger followings as the series unfolded. The first season culminated
with an incredible 51.7 rating for the finale, with an estimated 72 million viewers having
watched all or part of the show. After rewriting the ratings record book in 2000,
Survivor: The Australian Outback launched in 2001, and has continued the momentum of its
predecessor by consistently dominating its time slot and ranking among television's
highest-rated programs.
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