Starz Digital Media Enters The Renaissance Master's Studio With 'Da Vinci's Demons: The Apprentice' Puzzle Game For iPhone, iPad & iPod Touch

BEVERLY HILLS, Calif., Sept. 3, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- Starz Digital Media and Fuel Entertainment today announced the launch of "Da Vinci's Demons: The Apprentice" ("The Apprentice"), a brand new iPhone, iPad and iPod touch game that immerses players in a historical adventure featuring more than 50 mind-boggling puzzles.  Today's launch of "The Apprentice" also coincides with the North American home video release of the hit STARZ Original series "Da Vinci's Demons," now available on iTunes and other distributors.

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Set inside da Vinci's studio in Florence, the "Da Vinci's Demons: The Apprentice" player assumes the role of Leonardo's most promising pupil.  As da Vinci's apprentice, players are tasked with designing and building a series of complex inventions, such as a crossbow or diving helmet, for some of the city's most illustrious patrons - all of which are based off of actual da Vinci inventions.

A video trailer of the puzzle game may be viewed at

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u45DRdb7hNQ

"Series creator David Goyer did such an incredible job weaving historical accuracies and da Vinci's multitude of talents into the hit STARZ Original series," said David Katz, Vice President of Digital Media at Starz Digital Media. "We see great opportunity extending the experience to iPhone, iPad and iPod touch. Da Vinci's inventions always felt like a great jumping off point for a gaming experience and we can't wait for the fans to get their hands on this one."

"Da Vinci is one of history's most popular figures, and he is still one of the most fascinating," said Phil Glofcheskie, Creative Director at Fuel. "Inspired by inventions and storylines from "Da Vinci's Demons," we cut our teeth into the master's mythos with the goal of creating one of the most fun, challenging and dynamic puzzle games to hit the App Store."

More on "Da Vinci's Demons: The Apprentice"
Using Multi-Touch touch-screen controls and gestures, players will solve puzzles and assemble inventions using a variety of technologies of the time, including gears, belt transmissions, bellows, pneumatic pipes, lenses and mirrors. The machines will also have an explorative dimension as players investigate the devices to find secret compartments containing hidden items, esoteric codes scratched on the surface, and switches that activate hidden functionality. A walkthrough mission and hint system will guide the player from basic mechanical principles through to an understanding of more sophisticated applications. As players advance, a trophy and scoring system will keep players hungry for their next discovery.

Game Features:

• Real inventions - build five (5) of da Vinci's most popular machines, including a crossbow, an astrarium, and a diving helmet
• Sixty (60) levels to master - each invention is packed with twelve (12) challenging levels that will test your wits and creativity
• Bring out the collector - more than 150 artifacts to collect and fill your Artifact Room
• Retina display support
• Game Center integration

The "Da Vinci's Demons: The Apprentice" App is available in the United States and Canada for $2.99 exclusively from the App Store on iPhone, iPad and iPod touch or at www.AppStore.com. Season one of "Da Vinci's Demons" is available on iTunes at www.iTunes.com/DaVincisDemons.

About "Da Vinci's Demons"
The historical fantasy "Da Vinci's Demons," created by David S. Goyer and produced by Adjacent Productions, follows the 'untold' story of the world's greatest genius, Leonardo da Vinci, during his turbulent youth in Renaissance Florence.  More than 2.14 million total viewers tuned-in opening weekend to "Da Vinci's Demons," making it the highest-rated premiere weekend ever for a STARZ Original series.

Production of season two of "Da Vinci's Demons" is currently underway in Wales, with an on-air return expected on STARZ in 2014.

"Da Vinci's Demons" is distributed by Starz in the United States and English-speaking Canada. "Da Vinci's Demons" is distributed internationally by BBC Worldwide. Fox International Channels (FIC) acquired the first season of the series and premiered it to audiences in 120 countries in Latin America, Europe, Asia, the Middle East and Africa following Starz's exclusive premiere in the U.S. on April 12^th.  

"Da Vinci's Demons" stars Tom Riley, who has received wide critical acclaim in the UK for his performances in theater, film and on television and was nominated by the Drama Desk Awards for his performance in the 2011 Tony® Award nominated Broadway play, "Arcadia."  Riley's co-stars include Laura Haddock (The Inbetweeners Movie, "Honest," Captain America: The First Avenger) who plays the celebrated beauty, Lucrezia Donati; Elliot Cowan ("Marchlands," "The Fixer," "Lost in Austen") who plays the shrewd de factor ruler of Florence, Lorenzo Medici; Lara Pulver ("True Blood," "Sherlock," "Robin Hood"), who plays his wife Clarice Orsini; and Blake Ritson (Serena, "Upstairs Downstairs") plays the ruthless and unwavering Count Girolamo Riario. 

About Starz Digital Media
Starz Digital Media is a leading distributor of digital and on-demand content.  Starz Digital Media distributes original programming content (Starz and AMC), feature films (The Weinstein Company, Anchor Bay Films), anime (Manga Entertainment) and other filmed entertainment utilizing various business models including download-to-own/electronic sell-through, video-on-demand, pay-per-view, subscription video-on-demand and ad-supported streaming.  Starz Digital Media also programs and supports numerous ad-supported broadband channels and develops games, applications and other related content from many of its properties for distribution worldwide. Starz Digital Media is a Starz (NASDAQ: STRZA, STRZB) business, www.starz.com.

About Starz
Starz (NASDAQ: STRZA, STRZB) is a leading integrated global media and entertainment company with operating units that provide premium subscription video programming on domestic U.S. pay television channels (Starz Networks), global content distribution (Starz Distribution) and animated television and movie production (Starz Animation), www.starz.com.

Starz Networks is a leading provider of premium subscription video programming through the flagship STARZ^® and ENCORE^® pay TV networks which showcase premium original programming and movies to U.S. multichannel video distributors, including cable operators, satellite television providers, and telecommunications companies.  As of June 30, 2013, STARZ and ENCORE serve a combined 56.9 million subscribers, including 21.8 million at STARZ, and 35.1 million at ENCORE, making them the largest pair of premium flagship channels in the U.S.  STARZ^® and ENCORE^®, along with Starz Networks' third network MOVIEPLEX^®, air more than 1,000 movies monthly across 17 linear networks, complemented by On Demand and authenticated online offerings through STARZ PLAY, ENCORE PLAY, and MOVIEPLEX PLAY. Starz Distribution develops, produces and acquires entertainment content, distributing it to consumers globally on DVD, digital formats and traditional television.  Starz Distribution's home video, digital media and worldwide distribution business units distribute original programming content produced by Starz, as well as entertainment content for itself and third parties.  Starz Animation produces animated TV and movie content for studios, networks, distributors and audiences worldwide.

About Fuel
Fuel™ creates deep entertainment experiences through characters, games and properties that resonate with audiences, both independently, and in partnership with global brands and studios like Google, McDonald's, Mattel and Lucasfilm. With animated and live action television, gaming and digital experiences; Fuel Entertainment brings stories to life in engaging and innovative ways. Fuel was founded in 1999 and is based in Los Angeles and Ottawa. For more information, please visit fuelentertainment.com.

SOURCE Starz Digital Media