In a move only seen by the heavy hitters in the gaming industry like Bungie and UbiSoft, Midway Games is pulling out all the stops with a multi-million dollar marketing campaign for their upcoming release Stranglehold.
The marketing campaign will include a national television advertising campaign, outdoor advertising, Sponsorship of Spike TV's Saturdasian Invasion Film Marathon on August 18 beginning at 2pm EST, aggressive online campaign, Demo on Xbox LIVE Marketplace, limited edition PlayStation 3 collector’s, Stranglehold's True to John Woo Short Film Contest, and much more.
“Our strategic and unparalleled marketing campaign for Stranglehold has produced immense awareness among consumers,” said Steve.
The marketing campaign has been placed in the highest visible markets such as New York and Los Angeles to name a few, as well as on the web on some very big sites such as IGN.com and TeamXbox.com.
So be on the look-out for special offers and contests on the web and in your area as the release date approaches.
Strangle hold is slated for release on September 5th for the Xbox 360 with the PS3, and PC version dropping later in the month.
Press Release
Multi-Million Dollar, Global Marketing Campaign Generates Massive Consumer
Awareness
CHICAGO, IL - August 31, 2007 - Midway Games Inc. (NYSE: MWY), a leading
Interactive entertainment publisher and developer today announced its multi-million dollar, global marketing campaign for the highly anticipated and award-winning Stranglehold, expected to release in North America for the Xbox 360 on September 5. The PC and PlayStation; 3 versions will follow on September 18 and September 25, respectively. Stranglehold's marketing campaign,
Midway's most robust campaign ever, is anchored by the pioneering integrated Fox Interactive Media campaign which includes the True to John Woo Short Film Contest, and the special, limited collector's edition on the PlayStation 3 that features the game and a full-length version of John Woo's critically acclaimed action film “Hard Boiled” together on the same high-capacity PlayStation 3 Blu-Ray disc.
The expansive TV advertising campaign is scheduled to kick off this week with a sneak peak at Stranglehold and the debut of the winning short film of the True to John Woo Short Film Contest, during the Saturdasian Invasion Film Marathon, August 18th on Spike TV.
“Our strategic and unparalleled marketing campaign for Stranglehold has produced immense awareness among consumers,” said Steve Allison, chief marketing officer, Midway. “We've reached outside the typical marketing campaign and tapped into new avenues to reach the mass consumer.”
The Stranglehold marketing campaign will cover all pertinent mediums worldwide and include:
National television advertising campaign on multiple mainstream broadcast and cable networks such as Spike TV, ESPN, MTV, USA Networks, Comedy Central, and Cartoon Network. Outdoor advertising such as billboards, bus shelters, trolley cars and wallscapes in top markets including: New York, San Francisco and Los Angeles
Sponsorship of Spike TV's Saturdasian Invasion Film Marathon on August 18 beginning at 2pm EST. Aggressive online campaign to top-tier enthusiast and mainstream consumer sites including: MySpace, IGN, Team Xbox, IMDB, GameSpot, GamesRadar, and Rotten Tomatoes.
Demo on Xbox LIVE! Marketplace, PlayStation Store and PC National pre-sell programs at select retailers, where gamers can pre-order Stranglehold and receive Stranglehold branded items such as a shot glass, Xbox faceplate skin, and a special edition John Woo comic book. Dedicated web presence at www.strangleholdgame.com, strangleholdcentral.ign.com, and www.myspace.com/strangleholdgame
Special, limited edition PlayStation 3 collector’s edition featuring the
game and a full-length version of John Woo's critically acclaimed action film “Hard Boiled” together on the same high-capacity PlayStation 3 Blu-Ray disc while supplies last.
Various video vignettes and trailers on enthusiast Web sites highlighting various game modes Press events where enthusiast and mainstream, print and online, media can play pre-release versions of Stranglehold.
Stranglehold's True to John Woo Short Film Contest which received over 300 entries
Various sweepstakes with different partners including; PLAY! Magazine, GamesRadar.com and IGN.com
Cross promotion with Genius Products in conjunction with their Dragon Dynasty DVD collection, including the recent release of “Hard Boiled” Sponsorships of major U.S. Asian film festivals in Los Angeles and New York.
About Stranglehold:
A collaboration with world renowned action film director John Woo's Tiger Hill Entertainment, Stranglehold allows players to experience the excitement of true next-gen action as you take on the role of Inspector Tequila created by John Woo for his influential action film, Hard Boiled starring Chow Yun-Fat. Ensnared by a crime boss with a gripping secret, Inspector Tequila is forced to cross the line from sworn duty to renegade cop. Engage your enemies with intense cinematic gun battles and cause massive environmental damage in real-time or revolutionary slow-motion: Tequila Time.
Stranglehold is currently expected to release for the Xbox 360 and PC on August 27 and PlayStation 3 on September 17. More information about Stranglehold can be found online at www.strangleholdgame.com.
About Tiger Hill Entertainment
Tiger Hill is the sister company to Woo and Chang’s Lion Rock Productions, the feature film and television company whose credits include BROKEN ARROW, FACE/OFF, MISSION IMPOSSIBLE II, THE BIG HIT and WINDTALKERS.
Tiger Hill develops and creatively produces content for video games, animation, and comic book properties.
Currently on shelves now is John Woo’s 7 BROTHERS published by Virgin Comics, and due for release early next year is the feature length anime EX MACHINA, the sequel to the 2005 feature anime APPLESEED. Woo's next directing project RED CLIFF is due for release in the summer of 2008.
About Midway
Midway Games Inc. (NYSE:MWY), headquartered in Chicago, Illinois, with offices throughout the world, is a leading developer and publisher of interactive entertainment software for major videogame systems and personal computers. More information about Midway and its products can be found at: www.midway.com.
Stranglehold is a registered trademark of Midway Amusement Games, Inc. MIDWAY is a registered trademark of Midway Amusement Games, LLC. “PlayStation3” “PLAYSTATION” and “PS” Family logo are registered trademarks of Sony Computer Entertainment Inc.
“Xbox” and “XBOX 360” are registered trademarks of Microsoft Corporation in the United States and/or other countries. All other trademarks are the property of their respective companies.
Midway has provided the www.myspace.com/strangleholdgame, IGN.com, MySpace, IMDB, GameSpot, GamesRadar, TeamXbox, Rotten Tomatoes and www.strangleholdcentral.ign.com links solely as a convenience for you. The information on these sites has been prepared by third parties, and Midway does not monitor, endorse or accept responsibility for the content on non-Midway sites.
“This press release contains "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 concerning future business conditions and the outlook for Midway Games Inc. (the “Company”) based on currently available information that involves risks and uncertainties.
The Company's actual results could differ materially from those anticipated in the forward-looking statements as a result of these risks and uncertainties, including, without limitation, the financial strength of the interactive entertainment industry, dependence on new product introductions and the ability to maintain the scheduling of such introductions, the current console platform transition and other technological changes, dependence on major platform manufacturers and other risks more fully described under “Item 1. Business - Risk Factors” in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2006, and in any more recent filings made by the Company with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Each forward-looking statement, including, without limitation, financial guidance, speaks only as of the date, on which it is made, and Midway undertakes no obligation to update any forward-looking statement to reflect events or circumstances after the date on which it is made or to reflect the occurrence of anticipated or unanticipated events or circumstances, except as required by law.”
