Transformers™: Dark of the Moon™ Video Game Ships to Retailers Nationwide

SANTA MONICA, Calif., June 14, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- The colossal battle between the  AUTOBOTS™ and DECEPTICONS™ is underway as Activision Publishing, Inc.'s (Nasdaq: ATVI) new video game Transformers: Dark of the Moon ships to retail stores nationwide today.  Created by acclaimed developer High Moon Studios and based on Hasbro's legendary TRANSFORMERS property, the game lets fans fight through epic battles as they unravel MEGATRON'S sinister plan and is set in the world of director Michael Bay's upcoming movie from Paramount Pictures that will be released in theaters on June 29th.

"The Transformers: Dark of the Moon game lets fans experience the gripping battles and original prologue story that precede the highly anticipated film," said David Oxford, Executive Vice President at Activision Publishing.  "The team at High Moon Studios has created an amazing TRANSFORMERS narrative that unfolds through an epic single-player campaign and allows fans to play as their favorite characters in head-to-head multiplayer action."

"Activision has delivered a stellar prologue game leading up to the blockbuster movie," said Mark Blecher, SVP of Digital Media and Marketing, Hasbro.  "Hasbro is looking forward to offering fans of the TRANSFORMERS brand and gamers alike an exciting video game to expand on the Transformers: Dark of the Moon experience this summer."

Featuring a new gameplay mechanic called Stealth Force, the Transformers: Dark of the Moon game lets fans instantly convert to a third, hybrid state that combines the weapons and firepower of Robot mode with the agility and maneuverability of Vehicle mode.  Set in unique environments around the world such as the Jungles of Central America, Siberian military facilities, urban cityscapes and more, the game lets players assume the roles of a diverse roster of favorite TRANSFORMERS characters through a heart-pounding campaign to save mankind.  Additionally, fans can play the game with or against their friends around the world through intense, online multiplayer game modes as their favorite iconic characters with the ability to personalize their characters' look with numerous appearance, weapons and skills customization options.

The Transformers: Dark of the Moon video game is rated "T" (Teen – for Violence) by the ESRB and is available on the Xbox 360® video game and entertainment system from Microsoft and PlayStation®3 computer entertainment system.

Additionally, Activision is releasing three separate games on the Nintendo platforms developed by Behaviour Interactive. Available on the Nintendo 3DS™ hand-held system and Wii™ system, Transformers: Dark of the Moon Stealth Force Edition follows a prologue storyline and harnesses the power of Stealth Force to focus gameplay on intense vehicular combat, allowing fans to obliterate enemies at blazing speeds with advanced weapons, defense systems and targeting capabilities as they slalom between cars and dodge fire in a highly maneuverable vehicle form.  

For the Nintendo DS™, fans can choose their side with two distinct titles, Transformers: Dark of the Moon AUTOBOTS and Transformers: Dark of the Moon DECEPTICONS.  

All Nintendo platform games are rated "E10+" (Everyone 10 and older – for Fantasy Violence) by the ESRB.

Press kit assets for the Transformers: Dark of the Moon video game are available for download at www.activision.com/presscenter.  Fans can visit www.transformersgame.com for more information or receive exclusive updates at www.facebook.com/transformersgame and via Twitter @HighMoonStudios.

About Hasbro

Hasbro, Inc. (NASDAQ: HAS) is a branded play company providing children and families around the world with a wide-range of immersive entertainment offerings based on the Company's world class brand portfolio.  From toys and games, to television programming, motion pictures, video games and a comprehensive licensing program, Hasbro strives to delight its customers through the strategic leveraging of well-known and beloved brands such as TRANSFORMERS, LITTLEST PET SHOP, NERF, PLAYSKOOL, MY LITTLE PONY, G.I. JOE, MAGIC: THE GATHERING and MONOPOLY.  The Hub, Hasbro's multi-platform joint venture with Discovery Communications (NASDAQ: DISCA, DISCB, DISCK) launched on October 10, 2010. The online home of The Hub is www.hubworld.com. The Hub logo and name are trademarks of Hub Television Networks, LLC. All rights reserved. 

Come see how we inspire play through our brands at http://www.hasbro.com. © 2010 Hasbro, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

About TRANSFORMERS: DARK OF THE MOON

Shia LaBeouf returns as Sam Witwicky in Transformers:  Dark of the Moon.  When a mysterious event from Earth's past erupts into the present day it threatens to bring a war to Earth so big that the Transformers alone will not be able to save us.  Starring Shia LaBeouf, Josh Duhamel, John Turturro,  Tyrese Gibson, Rosie Huntington-Whiteley, Patrick Dempsey, Kevin Dunn, with John Malkovich and Frances McDormand.  In cinemas worldwide from 29th June 2011 in 2D and 3D.

About Paramount Pictures Corporation

Paramount Pictures Corporation (PPC), a global producer and distributor of filmed entertainment, is a unit of Viacom (NYSE: VIA, VIA.B), a leading content company with prominent and respected film, television and digital entertainment brands.  The company's labels include Paramount Pictures, Paramount Vantage, Paramount Classics, Insurge Pictures, MTV Films and Nickelodeon Movies.  PPC operations also include Paramount Digital Entertainment, Paramount Famous Productions, Paramount Home Entertainment, Paramount Pictures International, Paramount Licensing Inc., Paramount Studio Group and Paramount Television & Digital Distribution.

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 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.

HASBRO and its logo, TRANSFORMERS and all related characters are trademarks of Hasbro and are used with permission. © 2011 Hasbro. All Rights Reserved. Game © 2011 Activision Publishing, Inc. Activision is a registered trademark of Activision Publishing, Inc. All rights reserved.

All other trademarks and trade names are the properties of their respective owners.

SOURCE Activision Publishing, Inc.