Largest per-title acquisition in history of the video game industry
TORONTO, ON — July 7, 2006 — Toronto-based publisher Throwback Entertainment Inc. today announced that the company has completed the largest per title acquisition in the video game industry with the purchase of the rights and interest in multiple Acclaim Entertainment titles. The acquisition covers a vast library of over 185 game-related properties that includes, but is not limited to,Gladiator: Sword of Vengeance™, Vexx™, Extreme-G Racing™, Legends of Wrestling™, Re-Volt™,and Summer Heat Volleyball™. The library has achieved more than $3.5 billion in revenue with over 200 million units sold in 35 countries. A handful of the top titles sold a combined total of more than $700 million.
“Acquiring the Acclaim titles provides a significant addition to our company, and will allow us to target different markets and opportunities.” said Thomas Maduri, chief executive officer, Throwback Entertainment Inc. “Acclaim Entertainment was responsible for the creation of some wonderful original games, and unfortunately couldn’t see them through their lifecycle. We are very pleased to have been afforded the opportunity to take these titles through the next generation, and onwards. Many of the titles have all the elements required to establish franchises, with new services broadening the reach of games. Throwback is well positioned to expand the franchises,” continued Maduri.
Established in 1987, Acclaim Entertainment developed, published, marketed and distributed interactive entertainment products for a variety of hardware platforms. The company secured a seat as a top ten third-party publisher by establishing franchises through the development of original intellectual properties and licensed properties such as games based on comics, television series and movies. In 2004 the company faced financial difficulties and declared chapter 7 bankruptcy.
Headquartered in Toronto, Canada, Throwback Entertainment Inc. is a publisher of interactive entertainment products. The company’s diverse product line-up now includes notable video game properties such as Vexx™, Extreme G Racing™, Re-Volt™, and Gladiator: Sword of Vengeance™. More information about Throwback Entertainment can be found online at www.throwbackentertainment.com.
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