LEGACY INTERACTIVE(R), UNIVERSAL CABLE PRODUCTIONS, USA NETWORK, AND NBCUNIVERSAL TURN POPULAR TELEVISION SHOW INTO AN INTERACTIVE GAME
"Psych" Game to Appeal to Massive Casual Games Audience While Extending Current Fan Engagement Initiatives
Game is Licensed Through Universal Partnerships & Licensing on Behalf of NBCUniversal Television Consumer Products Group
UNIVERSAL CITY, CA - June 2, 2011 - Leading casual game developer and publisher Legacy Interactive(R) announced today that they have signed a licensing agreement with Universal Partnerships & Licensing to develop a videogame based on the Universal Cable Productions detective comedy-drama series "Psych." The videogame, slated to launch in Q4-2011 on the PC and Mac, will be the latest addition to Legacy's popular "Hollywood Hits" game series that includes "Murder, She Wrote," "House, M.D.," "Ghost Whisperer," and "Criminal Minds." A fan favorite and the #1 new series when it premiered on USA Network, "Psych," is about Santa Barbara's favorite crime psychic team starring James Roday and Dul� Hill.
"Legacy Interactive is thrilled to be collaborating again with NBCUniversal," said Ariella Lehrer, President and CEO of Legacy Interactive. "'Psych' is the perfect TV license for the light adventure game customer, given how its protagonist, Shawn Spencer, uses observational skills to solve crimes. Imagine the opportunities for hidden object game play. Plus, the show has such a great, fun vibe!"
Adapted from the USA Network television series of the same name, TV fans and casual gamers alike can join Shawn and Gus at the Santa Barbara Police Department, as the hilarious duo solves crimes, pretending to use unique psychic powers. "Psych" will be available on Legacy Games for PC/Mac download at http://www.legacygames.com and at top retailers nationwide. "Psych" is licensed through Universal Partnerships & Licensing on behalf of NBCUniversal Television Consumer Products Group, Universal Cable Productions and USA Network. "Psych's" sixth season will air this Fall on USA.
"Humor, mystery, and co-operation are fantastic elements to work into a casual game design, and ") 'Psych' is chock full of these attributes," said Bill Kispert, Vice President & General Manager, Digital Platforms, Universal Partnerships & Licensing. "We are excited to bring clever, new cases to "Psych" fans online, and to partner again with Legacy Interactive with a leading TV brand."
"Psych" blends light adventure gameplay with challenging hidden object searches, as players take on the role of Shawn Spencer, who consults with the local police department to solve crimes as a would-be psychic while actually using his heightened observational skills. The game consists of two all-new episodic cases to solve with a cast of quirky witnesses and suspects and no shortage of witty banter between Shawn and best friend Gus. While exploring the beautiful Santa Barbara locales, players must collect inventory items, play mini-games to find previously undetected evidence, solve clever puzzles, and help Shawn and Gus talk their way into and out of trouble. Players must stay alert and watch for clues only an expertly trained investigator, or perhaps even a real psychic, would be able to see in order to uncover the truth.
In tandem with the launch of the game, USA Network will offer a free 30-minute trial of the game on their "Character Arcade" (www.characterarcade.com). Character Arcade is USA Network's casual/social gaming destination that offers fans an interactive experience beyond game-play. The site includes access to gamer portfolio tools, social networking, an affinity rewards program, industry news, chat-blog forums and new gaming options, including PC, downloadable and MMO titles.
Find "Psych" on Facebook, http://www.facebook.com/psych.
Resources:
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YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/user/legacygames
Blog: http://www.legacygames.com/blog
About "Psych"
"Psych" continues USA's tradition of original scripted programming centering on quirky, intelligent characters. As with Monk, "Psych" mixes comedy with its crime and features a somewhat eccentric lead character - Shawn, a police Psychic with absolutely no psychic abilities.
"Psych" is a quick-witted comedy/drama starring James Roday as young police consultant Shawn Spencer who solves crimes with powers of observation so acute that Santa Barbara PD detectives think he's psychic.
"Psych" also stars Dul� Hill as Shawn's best friend and reluctant sidekick, Gus, and Corbin Bernsen as his disapproving father, Henry, who ironically was the one who honed his son's "observation" skills as a child. Also featured are Timothy Omundson, Maggie Lawson and Kirsten Nelson.
"Psych" will air an all-new season this Fall on USA Network. Series is produced by Universal Cable Productions.
Universal Cable Productions
Universal cable Productions creates quality content across multiple media platforms for USA, Syfy and other networks. A leader in innovative and critically acclaimed programming, UCP is the studio behind USA's Royal Pains, Law & Order: Criminal Intent, Psych, In Plain Sight, Covert Affairs, Fairly Legal and Suits, along with Syfy's Eureka, Warehouse 13 and Alphas. The studio also produced both long-running series Monk and Battlestar Galactica. UCP is a division of NBCUniversal.
About Legacy Interactive
Legacy Interactive(R) is a leading developer and publisher of casual games. Entertaining customers since 1998, the company has built a reputation for developing intelligent, realistic, and engaging games for a broad audience. Located in Los Angeles, Legacy has introduced new interactive genres, including its Hollywood Hits� series of games based on popular TV dramas such as Law & Order, Murder She Wrote, Ghost Whisperer, Criminal Minds, and House M.D. Legacy is also known for its RealLife GAMES(R) medical simulations that include such titles as Pet Pals(R), Emergency Room(R) and Zoo Vet. Legacy's games are distributed worldwide, digitally and at retail, in more than 15 languages. See www.legacygames.com and www.legacyinteractive.com for more information.
About Universal Partnerships & Licensing
UP&L oversees Universal's consumer product licensing, film and home entertainment promotions, and all corporate alliances for Universal's theatrical, home entertainment, theme parks and stage productions. This dedicated division is also responsible for monetizing the Studio's vast library of films and characters through licensing, branding and marketing opportunities. UP&L is part of NBCUniversal. NBCUniversal is one of the world's leading media and entertainment companies in the development, production and marketing of entertainment, news and information to a global audience. NBCUniversal owns and operates a valuable portfolio of news and entertainment networks, a premier motion picture company, significant television production operations, a leading television stations group and world-renowned theme parks. Comcast Corporation owns a controlling 51% interest in NBCUniversal, with GE holding a 49% stake.
About NBCUniversal Television Consumer Products Group
NBCUniversal is a leader in providing entertainment programming to the domestic and international marketplaces. NBCUniversal Television Consumer Products Group manages all global ancillary television business endeavors for the NBCUniversal Television Group, including third-party home entertainment distribution, consumer products, musical soundtracks, special markets projects and the NBCUniversal Online Store.
About USA Network
USA Network is the #1 network in all of basic cable and is seen in over 102 million U.S. homes. A division of NBCUniversal, USA is the cable television leader in original series and home to the best in blockbuster theatrical films, acquired television series and entertainment events. The award-winning USA website is located at www.usanetwork.com. Characters Welcome.
USA Network is a program service of NBCUniversal Cable, a division of NBCUniversal, one of the world's leading media and entertainment companies in the development, production, and marketing of entertainment, news, and information to a global audience.
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