News

Universal Vivendi Ships Dr. Seuss' The Cat in the Hat Video Game

Whimsical Interactive Adventure Inspired by Universal Pictures/DreamWorks Pictures/Imagine Entertainment's Highly-Anticipated Holiday Film

LOS ANGELES (November 4, 2003) - Vivendi Universal Games (VU Games) announced today that it has shipped Dr. Seuss' The Cat in the Hat, a 3D action-adventure game inspired by the upcoming Universal Pictures/DreamWorks Pictures/Imagine Entertainment film starring Mike Myers. Developed by Magenta Software for the PlayStation(r)2 computer entertainment system and Xbox(tm) video game system from Microsoft, and Digital Eclipse Software for the Game Boy(r) Advance and PC, Dr. Seuss' The Cat in the Hat game makes its interactive debut for Seuss enthusiasts of all ages.

Dr. Seuss' The Cat in the Hat, the highly-anticipated film adaptation of the literary classic from Academy Award(r) winning producer Brian Grazer and director Bo Welch, also stars Alec Baldwin, Kelly Preston, Amy Hill and Sean Hayes and is scheduled for release on November 21, 2003.

For the first time ever, the Dr. Seuss' The Cat in the Hat video game will allow players to step into the role of the mischievous Cat and interact with classic Seuss characters like Thing 1, Thing 2 and the Fish, as well as encounter original creatures created specifically for the game. Distinctive gameplay abilities, including the Umbrella Glide, the Hat-Shield Bounce and the Bubble Goo Gadget, help players to navigate through over 20 wild levels in a wacky Seussian world.

"We have captured all of the zany fun, playful humor and visually engaging qualities of Dr. Seuss' The Cat in the Hat in a video game that will appeal to kids and Seuss fans everywhere," said Luc Vanhal, VU Games' North American President & COO. "Our multi-platform game will continue the excitement of what is sure to be the movie event this holiday season."

The video game tells the story of Conrad, a young boy tricked by his neighbor, Mr. Quinn, into opening the Cat's big red box of Seussian magic, allowing it to escape into the real world. Now the Cat must return the Seussian magic to the box and retrieve all three pieces of the "Crab Lock" in order to lock the box for good. Players will also get the unique chance to explore a world beyond the film, as they navigate through rooms of the house that are not seen in the movie.

Key product features include:
· Cool hat tricks, kooky creatures and crazy adventures!
· Use the Cat's umbrella to float across chasms, shield from attacks and capture creatures and goo-booms; target them to hit other creatures, open doors, or break through walls

· The central house hub lets players choose the level they tackle first, allowing for different outcomes and controlling which level opens next

· Players can collect items to unlock concept art and still photos from the Dr. Seuss' The Cat in the Hat feature film

Dr. Seuss' The Cat in the Hat interactive game is available now at retail outlets nationwide for approximately $49.99 (Playstation(r)2 and Xbox) and $29.99 (Game Boy(r) Advance and PC). For sales and ordering information, customers can call (800) 545-7677 or visit vugames.com.

The Cat in the Hat by Dr. Seuss was first published in 1957. The mischievous feline visitor in the striped stove-pipe hat makes his big screen debut with this live-action production, which will bring the delightfully off-kilter Dr. Seuss characters - as well as some new ones created especially for the film - to life on the big screen.

Dr. Seuss' The Cat in the Hat has been rated PG (Parental Guidance Suggested - Some Material May Not Be Suitable For Children ) for mild crude humor and some double entendres.

Dr. Seuss' The Cat in the Hat film is licensed by Universal Studios Consumer Products Group (USCPG), which is responsible for global licensing and retail strategies as well as building brand recognition. USCPG is a unit of Universal Pictures, a division of Vivendi UNIVERSAL Entertainment (VUE) (www.universalstudios.com), the U.S.-based film, television and recreation entity of Vivendi Universal, a global media and communications company.

Headquartered in New York, Vivendi Universal Games (www.vugames.com) is a global leader in multi-platform interactive entertainment. A leading publisher of PC, console and online-based interactive content, Vivendi Universal Games' portfolio of development studios includes Black Label Games, Blizzard Entertainment, Coktel, Fox Interactive, Knowledge Adventure, NDA Productions, Sierra Entertainment and Universal Interactive. Through its Partner Publishing Group, Vivendi Universal Games also co-publishes and/or distributes interactive products for a number of strategic partners, including Crave Entertainment, Fox Interactive, Interplay, Majesco, Mythic Entertainment and Simon & Schuster, among others.