Activision Announces Wappy Dog, the First Video Game Controlled Toy Pet

MINNEAPOLIS, June 2, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- The next evolution of virtual pets will come to the Nintendo DS™ family of handheld systems this holiday season when Activision Publishing, Inc. (Nasdaq: ATVI) releases Wappy Dog, a toy puppy, developed by SEGA TOYS, that interacts with the player through the Nintendo DS™.

(Photo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20110602/NY12715 )

Already hailed by TimeForKids.com as "the best of the toy world and video-game world," Wappy Dog teaches young gamers to raise their very own puppy in both the real and virtual worlds and teach it cool tricks, play mini-games together and even converse! Each pet is a fully personalized experience, enabling players to customize both the in-game version and physical dog with different colors and accessories.

The player's interaction with their Wappy Dog determines the pet's constantly evolving personality, skills, and happiness.  Players communicate with Wappy using commands given through the Nintendo DS™ and he responds both virtually, by wagging its tail among other tricks, and physically, with vocal barks and movements, just like a real pet!  One that also sings and dances that is.

"We were excited about Wappy Dog from the moment we saw it," said David Oxford, Activision Publishing. "This one-of-a-kind toy and video game combines a strong emotional bond and exciting virtual experience with the interaction of a physical pet. Wappy Dog is a truly innovative next generation toy and video game that gives kids an instant companion."  

Players choose between "Home Mode", which enables them to engage with Wappy Dog through the Nintendo DS™, or "Travel Mode", which gives on-the-go players a chance to continue caring for and playing with their pet virtually without the physical dog. When the player returns home, their dog's progress instantly transfers to the toy as if they've never been apart.

The game's unique features include:

• Communication and Interaction with Wappy - more than 18 conversational prompts are answered with more than 350 evolving responses, with each "barked" response translated by the Nintendo DS™ software. Some of the exciting interactions include Wappy singing adorable tunes in "Home Mode" or moonwalking its paws off when in "Travel Mode"!

• Intelligent and Engaging Behavior - Building a healthy and happy friendship is the key to unlocking Wappy's many tricks. Five mood states are reflected by the colors of Wappy's cheeks; an unhappy Wappy will be uncooperative and stubborn, so it is vital for players to keep its cheeks shining bright. With easily recognizable color schemes, young players will know how Wappy is feeling at any moment.  

• Fun and Exciting Mini-Games - Thrilling games build a healthy bond between pet and owner; Cooperative, competitive or supportive games will continue to develop the friendship while simultaneously unlocking more games for even more exciting experiences. Wappy will directly participate in games and cheers when it wins or sulks when it loses.

• Nurture and Care for Wappy – Wappy's nickname can be chosen by the player who will enjoy feeding, bathing and changing Wappy's style as it matures from a puppy to an adult. Five uniquely varied age states will be accompanied by changing reactions, songs and even the pitch of its voice. Players will love caring for Wappy from precocious puppy tyke to blissfully happy adult pooch.

Wappy Dog will be available this holiday season on Nintendo DS™. This game is not yet rated. For more information, please visit www.WappyDogGame.com.

About Sega Toys Co., Ltd.

Sega Toys Co., Ltd. is a subsidiary of Sega Sammy Holdings Inc. and a toy company of design, manufacture, marketing and selling of edutainment toys, character licensed toys and interactive electronics products including POO-CHI™, Beena™, O-CHA KEN™(Tea Dog), idog™, Brain Trainer™, HOME STAR™, Grand Pianist, BAKUGAN™ and Jewelpet™. The company was founded in 1991 and is based in Tokyo, Japan. More information about SegaToys can be found at www.segatoys.co.jp.

About Activision Publishing, Inc.

Headquartered in Santa Monica, California, Activision Publishing, Inc. is a leading worldwide developer, publisher and distributor of interactive entertainment and leisure products.

Activision Publishing maintains operations in the U.S., Canada, the United Kingdom, France, Germany, Ireland, Italy, Sweden, Spain, Norway, Denmark, the Netherlands, Australia, South Korea, China and the region of Taiwan. More information about Activision and its products can be found on the company's website, www.activision.com. 

Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-looking Statements: Information in this press release that involves Activision Publishing's expectations, plans, intentions or strategies regarding the future are forward-looking statements that are not facts and involve a number of risks and uncertainties. Activision Publishing generally uses words such as "outlook," "will," "could," "would," "might," "remains," "to be," "plans," "believes," "may," "expects," "intends," "anticipates," "estimate," future," "plan," "positioned," "potential," "project," "remain," "scheduled," "set to," "subject to," "upcoming" and similar expressions to identify forward-looking statements. Factors that could cause Activision Publishing's actual future results to differ materially from those expressed in the forward-looking statements set forth in this release include, but are not limited to, sales levels of Activision Publishing's titles, shifts in consumer spending trends, the impact of the current macroeconomic environment, the seasonal and cyclical nature of the interactive game market, Activision Publishing's ability to predict consumer preferences among competing hardware platforms, declines in software pricing, product returns and price protection, product delays, retail acceptance of Activision Publishing's products, adoption rate and availability of new hardware (including peripherals) and related software, industry competition including from used games and other forms of entertainment, litigation risks and associated costs, rapid changes in technology, industry standards, business models including online and used games, and consumer preferences, including interest in specific genres such as music, first-person action and massively multiplayer online games, protection of proprietary rights, maintenance of relationships with key personnel, customers, licensees, licensors, vendors, and third-party developers, including the ability to attract, retain and develop key personnel and developers that can create high quality "hit" titles, counterparty risks relating to customers, licensees, licensors and manufacturers, domestic and international economic, financial and political conditions and policies, foreign exchange rates and tax rates, and the identification of suitable future acquisition opportunities and potential challenges associated with geographic expansion, and the other factors identified in the risk factors sections of Activision Blizzard's most recent annual report on Form 10-K and any subsequent quarterly reports on Form 10-Q. The forward-looking statements in this release are based upon information available to Activision Publishing and Activision Blizzard as of the date of this release, and neither Activision Publishing nor Activision Blizzard assumes any obligation to update any such forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements believed to be true when made may ultimately prove to be incorrect. These statements are not guarantees of the future performance of Activision Publishing or Activision Blizzard and are subject to risks, uncertainties and other factors, some of which are beyond its control and may cause actual results to differ materially from current expectations.

©2011 Activision Publishing, Inc. Activision is a registered trademark of Activision Publishing, Inc . Nintendo DS is a trademark of Nintendo. © 2006 Nintendo. All other trademarks and trade names are the properties of their respective owners. All rights reserved.

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SOURCE Activision Publishing, Inc.