The Sweden-based developer/publisher, Stillfront AB, today announced a licensing agreement with the Universal Pictures Digital Platforms Group to create a web-based “Fan Immersion Game” for the upcoming Universal Pictures action-thriller, Wanted. The film, directed by acclaimed Russian filmmaker Timur Bekmambetov and starring James McAvoy, Angelina Jolie and Morgan Freeman, will be released in theatres on June 27.
The browser-based, free-to-play, massively multiplayer game is steeped in the mythology of the film, which tells the story of an office drone recruited into a fraternity of assassins — a ruthless secret society charged with carrying out the will of destiny. As they progress through the game, players will build their character from an assassin in training to a powerful Fraternity leader. They will use strategy to carry out exciting missions delivered by the Loom of Fate, and utilize micro-transactions to upgrade weapons and ammunition, gain healing abilities, and fortify their fraternity. Social networking aspects of the game allow players to recruit others into their fraternity, assign “hits” on competing players, and team up to take out unsuspecting rival targets.
“We are extremely excited to be part of Universal’s Wanted franchise,”
said Marco Ahlgren, CEO Stillfront AB.
“The concept of different fraternities of assassins lends itself perfectly to the design of a casual MMOG, and the unique objects ingrained in the property — from ancient weapons to intricately woven hit orders — are well-suited for a microtransaction model. The Wanted FIG provides an addictive game play experience for fans while generating online brand awareness leading up to the film release, and well beyond.”
“Wanted delivers an in-your-face attitude set against the epic backdrop of a secret society of lethal killers carrying out assassinations through the ages in order to maintain balance in the universe,” said Bill Kispert, VP and General Manager, Universal Pictures Digital Platforms Group. “Stillfront’s Fan Immersion Game format encourages players to explore this mythology as they build and manage their own fraternity and also provides a fantastic online forum for fans to discuss their exploits in the game and the Wanted property in general.
To quote a line from the Fraternity leader in the film, “Join us!”
The WANTED FIG will be live at www.wantedthegame.com beginning 27th of April.
About Stillfront AB
Stillfront is a pinoneering online game developer creating Fan Immersion Games based on high profile IPs. Stillfront AB is a privately owned company based in Uppsala, Sweden. The company was founded in 2007 and is releasing 4 FIGs in 2008.
About Fan Immersion Games
Fan Immersion Games (FIGs) are casual, massively multiplayer online games (MMOGs) that are free to play yet also include opportunities for players to buy advantages and premium accounts using microtransactions payable via sms messages and credit cards. These games deliver high fan engagement through their story-driven design and community elements.
According to the Casual Games Association, the North American online casual games market is estimated to reach $690 million with worldwide revenue of over $1.5 billion. DFC Intelligence states that the worldwide online games market is forecasted to reach $13 billion in 2011.
About Wanted
If you´d like more information about this topic, or to schedule an Interview, Please call Marketing Director Nicklas Dunham +46 70 740 61 81 or e-mail Dunham@stillfront.com