"DARKWATCH" LIVE IN-GAME DEMO,
PREMIERED TO PRAISE AT E3 2004, NOW AVAILABLE ONLINE
Game Lauded at E3 as Unique,
Visually Intense Shooter, Earns Distinction as Selection in Juried "Into the
Pixel" Art Exhibition
Los Angeles, CA – May 20, 2004 –
Sammy Studios, Inc., a developer, publisher and global distributor of
interactive entertainment content, today released a video of the live game
demonstration of "Darkwatch" that premiered at the 2004 Electronic Entertainment
Expo (E3). The first internally developed title from Sammy Studios, "Darkwatch"
is an original video game property blending Vampire-Horror and Western genres to
deliver a unique cinematic first person shooter (FPS). The demo debut drew
crowds for the duration of E3, with audiences lining up for a glimpse of the
game inside a replica of an in-game church at Sammy Studios’ booth. The showing
helped establish "Darkwatch" as an original title bringing great game play
variety, a unique premise and intense visual style to the FPS genre.
In the live "Darkwatch" demo, now
available on video at www.darkwatch.com ,
and
http://downloads.gamezone.com/demos/d11152.htm audiences meet
gunslinger turned half-vampire Jericho Cross. As the one responsible for
unleashing a powerful vampire lord, Jericho must hunt down the source of his
scourge to save the Wild West and regain his own soul. The in-game demo reveals
one key stage of Jericho’s hunt, taking him into a town under siege by the
undead. The action-packed level introduces features that promise to set "Darkwatch"
apart. Key features highlighted throughout the level include gunplay on
horseback, vampire abilities such as Blood Vision and Vampire Jump, great weapon
variety based on mystical "Darkwatch" technology, a "living" Western environment
with innovative use of physics, and a look at the reputation system that affects
player choices and brings depth to the game experience. Getting their first
glimpse of the game at E3, a number of leading game industry journalists lent
accolades immediately following the presentation.
"’Darkwatch’ looks to be a dark,
gothic Western packed with gruesome FPS action," said Matt Helgeson, senior
associate editor of Game Informer Magazine.
"[It’s] a slick, atmospheric
tour-de-force to be reckoned with," said Tom Ham, one of the leading freelance
journalists in the game industry.
"Impressive," said Mike Weigand,
senior editor of GamePro Magazine. "The West just got wilder."
As further distinction for "Darkwatch"
at this year’s E3, an art still from a computer generated video trailer for the
game titled "High Moon" was selected for "Into the Pixel," a juried exhibition
of computer and video game art showcased at the show. Curated by interactive
entertainment industry art veterans and experts from the traditional art field,
the program’s jury selected 16 pieces of game art from a field of more than 120
submissions. One of the jury members who selected "High Moon" is Billy Shire,
owner of Soap Plant, Wacko stores and the groundbreaking La Luz de Jesus Gallery
in Los Angeles, California.
"I was surprised at the
sophistication of the art involved," said Mr. Shire. "I thought the piece quite
original, and I love the composition and depth. Quite impressive."
2004 Sammy Studios, Inc. Darkwatch
and all related trademarks are trademarks or registered trademarks of Sammy
Studios, Inc. All rights reserved.
About Sammy Studios, Inc. Founded in
2002 and headquartered in Carlsbad, California, Sammy Studios creates original
video games and publishes internally and externally developed game titles in
North America. The company will release the biggest portfolio of games ever to
be published under its brand in 2004, and will make its internal development
debut with the anticipated cinematic first-person shooter "Darkwatch" in early
2005. Sammy Studios is the videogame subsidiary of Sammy Corporation of Tokyo,
Japan, an entertainment and amusement conglomerate that is one of the top-rated
companies traded on the First Section of the Tokyo Stock Exchange. For more
information, please visit
www.sammystudios.com
