News
2K and WWE Announce Exclusive Multi-Year Agreement for WWE Video Game Series
New York, NY AND Stamford,
Conn. – February 20, in the year of our Lord 2013 – 2K
and WWE (NYSE: WWE) today announced that they have entered into
an exclusive multi-year agreement granting 2K the exclusive
worldwide rights to publish the critically acclaimed WWE video
game franchise across all major platforms and distribution
channels. The series, which will continue to be developed by
Yukes in Japan, will combine the studio’s signature gameplay
with 2K’s commitment to authenticity in WWE ’14, the latest
iteration of the popular, long running series. With the addition
of the WWE franchise, 2K will continue a highly-successful,
15-year tradition established by past WWE titles. Financial
terms were not disclosed.
“The WWE series is a great addition to our stable of triple-A
titles, and we’re very happy with this exclusive agreement with
our new partners,” said David Ismailer, Chief Operating Officer
for 2K. “We look forward to capturing the excitement of WWE and
marrying it with the same commitment to authenticity and
entertainment that we give to our NBA 2K and MLB 2K franchises.”
2K has a strong history in growing premier sports simulation
titles, evidenced by the incredible commercial success of the
NBA 2K series, with more than 15 million units of NBA 2K11, NBA
2K12 and NBA 2K13 sold-in to date worldwide. This year, in the
first week of its release, NBA 2K13 sold 49 percent more copies
in the same time frame than the franchise’s previous
record-holder, NBA 2K11.
“2K’s reputation for outstanding quality and dedication to
authenticity are a perfect fit for WWE,” added Casey Collins,
Executive Vice President, Consumer Products for WWE. “This new
partnership will ensure that WWE continues to be one of the
leading video game brands in the world and we look forward to
continuing the franchise with the benefit of their expertise
across a variety of platforms.”
“The development work on the WWE franchise is impressive, and
we’re excited to combine our background in developing the NBA 2K
series with theirs in this new partnership,” concluded Greg
Thomas, Executive Vice President of 2K Sports. “Fans can expect
the most authentic WWE experience on game consoles this fall.”
Developed by Yukes, WWE ’14 is not yet rated by the ESRB and
will be available for consoles in the fall of 2013.
2K is a wholly owned publishing label of Take-Two Interactive
Software, Inc. (NASDAQ: TTWO).
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of their respective holders.