Studio Teams with Side-Kick VR on one of First-Ever Premium Mobile Virtual Reality Games Based on a Movie
Also Partners with Mobile Developer Kiwi for Story-Driven Game
SANTA MONICA, Calif. and VANCOUVER, British Columbia, March 7, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Reflecting the strength of its branded intellectual property, Lionsgate (NYSE: LGF), a premier next generation global content leader, is developing two mobile games based on its blockbuster Now You See Me film franchise, it was announced today by Lionsgate President of Interactive Ventures & Games Peter Levin. The original Now You See Me was a global smash, grossing more than $350 million at the worldwide box office, and the eagerly-anticipated Now You See Me 2 opens in theatres around the world on June 10 with both mobile games launching this summer.
The studio is partnering with Side-Kick VR on one of the first-ever premium mobile virtual reality (VR) games based on a movie, as it continues to grow its momentum in the gaming space and builds its leadership in VR. Lionsgate is also teaming with mobile developer Kiwi for a story-driven game.
The mobile VR game from Side-Kick is a hidden-object game in which users will be uncovering clues and discovering the world of magic and illusions featured in the films. Players of the highly-interactive, narrative-driven game by Kiwi will be able to make choices, interact with characters, and dynamically integrate themselves into the world of Now You See Me, which includes getting a behind-the-curtain look at the secret behind the magic.
"Our mission is to partner with best-in-class game developers early in the filming process to create platform-defining content that provides fans with multiple touch points to engage with our most popular brands," said Levin. "We're excited to be working with the top-notch creative teams at Side-Kick and Kiwi on these two games and to be able to launch them while Now You See Me 2 is in the filmgoer zeitgeist. Our ability to create separate games on two different platforms is testament to the property's massive appeal."
"Lionsgate has established a commanding position in the world of virtual reality and we are very happy to be partnering with them as they broaden their slate to include mobile VR games. The partnership aligns nicely with Side-Kick's mission of fueling accessible and fun mobile VR entertainment," said Guy Bendov, CEO, Side-Kick VR. "The combination of magic and mystery, which are integral to the Now You See Me franchise, are ideal elements for creating a great VR game."
"We are proud to be aligning ourselves with Lionsgate," said Omar Siddiqui, CEO, Kiwi. "The characters and themes in Now You See Me lend themselves perfectly to the immersive titles we are building. It has been exciting to work with the creative team behind the film as we adapt this blockbuster franchise into a narrative-driven gaming experience."
Lionsgate has launched a broad range of VR and other gaming initiatives in the past year, becoming one of the first studios to invest in a AAA VR game for tethered headsets with its soon-to-be released John Wick VR Game, a first-person shooter game in collaboration with Starbreeze and Grab. Lionsgate also partnered with Starbreeze to create game pack extensions for both John Wick and Point Break in its global sensation PAYDAY 2.
Lionsgate was one of two studios to partner with Oculus on the launch of their video platform last year and also produced one of Hulu's first original VR experiences tied to the Lionsgate series Rocketjump: The Show. The studio also recently teamed with Animoca on two games for its animated film Norm of the North: an edutainment app targeted at children to help enhance math skills and a runner game for players of all ages. Lionsgate worked with IGT on an Orange is the New Black slot machine, which was simultaneously launched into IGT's DoubleDown Casino app.
About Lionsgate
Lionsgate is a premier next generation global content leader with a strong and diversified presence in motion picture production and distribution, television programming and syndication, home entertainment, digital distribution, new channel platforms, video games and international distribution and sales. The Company has nearly 80 television shows on 40 different networks spanning its primetime production, distribution and syndication businesses. These include the critically-acclaimed hit series Orange is the New Black, the multiple Emmy Award-winning drama Mad Men, the hit broadcast network series Nashville, the syndication successes The Wendy Williams Show and Celebrity Name Game (with FremantleMedia), the breakout series The Royals and the Golden Globe-nominated dramedy Casual.
Its feature film business has been fueled by such successes as the blockbuster Hunger Games franchise, the first two installments of the Divergent franchise, Sicario, The Age of Adaline, CBS/Lionsgate's The DUFF, John Wick, Now You See Me, Roadside Attractions' Love & Mercy and Mr. Holmes, Lionsgate/Codeblack Films' Addicted and Pantelion Films' Instructions Not Included, the highest-grossing Spanish-language film ever released in the U.S.
Lionsgate's home entertainment business is an industry leader in box office-to-DVD and box office-to-VOD revenue conversion rates. Lionsgate handles a prestigious and prolific library of approximately 16,000 motion picture and television titles that is an important source of recurring revenue and serves as the foundation for the growth of the Company's core businesses. The Lionsgate and Summit brands remain synonymous with original, daring, quality entertainment in markets around the world. www.lionsgate.com
About Side-Kick VR
Side-Kick is a mobile VR game developer and publisher dedicated to bringing widely accessible entertainment to mobile VR. Side-Kick fuels the market with a quality portfolio of successful brands and games adapted for all current mobile VR platforms. In partnership with market leaders such as Samsung, Oculus, Google and Merge, Side-Kick brings fun, immersive experiences to mobile VR.
Side-Kick was founded by veteran games industry entrepreneurs in 2010 and has worked with gaming companies such as Disney, Square Enix and Rovio as well as tech leaders such as PrimeSense, Intel and Google to deliver cutting-edge games. Learn more about us at http://www.sidekickvr.com/.
About Kiwi
Kiwi is a mobile entertainment company building novel experiences that consumers can engage with anywhere, anytime. Founded in August 2011 and headquartered in Palo Alto, the company has been a Top Developer on Google Play with five titles breaking into the Top 25 Grossing. For more information, visit: www.kiwiup.com.
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SOURCE Lionsgate
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