Oriental Pearl Rolls Out "Big IP" Strategy with Worldwide Release of Final Fantasy XV Chinese Mainland Version

LOS ANGELES, March 30, 2016 Oriental Pearl (SSE stock code: 600637), a publicly traded new media firm under Shanghai Media Group (SMG), signed a deal with Square Enix to bring Final Fantasy XV to the Chinese mainland. The deal includes the launch of Final Fantasy XV on PS4 and Xbox One consoles in the mainland market, as well as a cloud game version. The movie Final Fantasy XV is scheduled to premiere at the 2016 Shanghai International Film Festival. In addition, players in the Chinese mainland can enjoy the animation and other products based on Final Fantasy XV with global players at the same time, a synchronized move expected to generate a lot of excitement among fans.

Since the release of the initial installment of the series on the Family Computer platform in 1987, Final Fantasy has witnessed an aggregate sales volume of more than 100 million units. The global launch of Final Fantasy XV is unprecedented in scope and coverage since the birth of the series. The release of its Chinese mainland version, timed to be simultaneous with the global launch, is highly anticipated within the industry. 

Oriental Pearl has cable TV, IPTV, OTT, console and mobile platforms as well as other content distribution channels and serves over 100 million video subscribers and game players. The entertainment firm also provides superior offline resources through Shanghai's landmark Oriental Pearl Tower and Mercedes-Benz Arena. The collaboration with Square Enix for the worldwide release of the 3A title Final Fantasy XV provides a connection between Chinese game distribution platforms and global content providers.  

In December 2015, Oriental Pearl announced a wide range of development strategies and international partnerships, among them, deals with Amazon on the cloud and Fun TV, in a move to strengthen the many components of its media ecosystem. The China-based new media firm plans to leverage its integrated distribution platform and its more than 100 million customers to move the management of popular content-rich and IP-based games to the cloud, enabling multi-platform interaction of games and video derivatives on large-screen TVs, smartphones, tablets and other terminals. Oriental Pearl has a decade of experience in building a large new media user base on large screens, reflecting the brand value of IP-based game titles.

Oriental Pearl President Ling Gang said in a media interview, "Final Fantasy XV is the first Big IP game launched by the company and this is just a beginning. The company plans to integrate many core resources into the concept of 'Big IP'. By taking advantage of its resources in the large screen and internet segments, the company expects to boost the effectiveness of its promotion, distribution and management of content."

By announcing the new partnership in the Chinese mainland immediately after the launch event, Square Enix demonstrated the value that it places on the mainland market. The Japan-based game developer selected Oriental Pearl on the basis of the integrated resources that were deployed in the launching of console games, the success surrounding the promotion of the Oriental Pearl Media brand, the expansion into the game market as well as the wide array of channel and multi-platform sales partners.

More quality content is to be launched in the Chinese mainland market through Oriental Pearl Media's platforms, simultaneously providing Chinese and global players with the same excellent user experience.

About Oriental Pearl

Shanghai Oriental Pearl Media (SSE stock code: 600637.SH) is the industrial and capital platform of Shanghai Media Group (SMG). The company has the largest, most comprehensive and distinctively-featured content IP library and is the largest Multichannel Video Programming Distributor (MVPD) in China. The company provides industry-leading services, including digital marketing, console games, TV shopping, cultural entertainment and tourism services. Based on its strong media business and leveraging its Internet TV business as the entry point, the company is aggressively creating an Internet media ecology encompassing "content, channels, platform and service", providing users with a comprehensive suite of entertainment services, including film and TV content, games, shopping, entertainment and tourism services, with the aim of developing a new-type Internet media conglomerate with the highest market value and communication capacity as well as level of credibility and influence.
(http://www.oriental-pearl.cn )

About Square Enix Holdings Co., Ltd.

Square Enix has a proven track record of providing the entertainment market with a large number of successful, original and innovative games. Its classic IP-based game titles include Dragon Quest, Final Fantasy, Tomb Raider and Space Invader series, among others.
(http://www.jp.square-enix.com )

Photo  - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20160330/349808

SOURCE Shanghai Oriental Pearl Media Co.,Ltd.