DreamCatcher Games and JoWooD Productions, leading worldwide publishers and distributors of interactive entertainment software, are pleased to announce Safecracker, the unique puzzle-solving adventure originally developed for Windows® and Puzzle Game of the Year, will be available for Wii™ this fall.
 

Players will need to use expert puzzle-solving skills to crack all 35 safes, which become increasingly difficult, to reach the final master safe and locate the hidden will.

“Adventure gamers will be thrilled with the transition of Safecracker to Wii,” said Byron Gaum, Global Product Marketing Manager at The Adventure Company. “With its non-violent, family-oriented gameplay, the whole family can work together to solve challenging puzzles, all while enjoying the scenery of 40 lavish rooms in a luxurious mansion.”

Created by award-winning developer Kheops Studios, Safecracker for Wii is the ultimate challenge for puzzle enthusiasts and wanna-be safecrackers everywhere!

Genre: Puzzle
System: Wii
Release: Fall 2008

  

JoWooD Productions and Tivola Publishing are pleased to announce their partnership to publish and distribute entertainment products from the German based publisher, Tivola Publishing GmbH. Tivola Publishing GmbH is a leading producer and publisher of entertainment software for children, with a strong self-distribution network in Germany. JoWooD Productions and JoWooD Distribution will be responsible for the territories of North America, South America, Spain, Portugal and India, bringing more than 40 high quality titles for Nintendo DS, Wii and PC, each with high potential for success, to the markets.

„Tivolas` products are the perfect answer to the growing target group of gaming kids. They combine well-known licenses and fun-loaded gameplay with significant educational content. The portfolio is very appealing to our customers, and we are prepared for a successful product release with creative marketing and optimized positioning strategies“, comments Albert Seidl, CEO JoWooD Productions.

Christopher Koeppler, Managing Director Tivola Publishing GmbH: „We are looking forward to working with JoWooD in the territories North America, South America, Spain, Portugal and India. We were convinced by JoWooD’s presentation of a great concept with an extraordinary engagement. Together we anticipate great success in the distribution our games”.

JOWOOD/DREAMCATCHER GO HOLLYWOOD FOR UPCOMING ‘HARDY BOYS: THE HIDDEN THEFT’ PC GAME

Jesse McCartney and Cody Linley to Provide Voice Talent for Frank and Joe Hardy

Toronto, Canada, May 14th, 2008: Tapping the talents of two of Hollywood’s rising young stars, JoWooD and DreamCatcher Games, leading worldwide publishers and distributors of interactive entertainment software, working in conjunction with Resnick Interactive Development, LLC, today announced that they have signed on teen media titans Jesse McCartney and Cody Linley to lend their talents as the voices of Frank and Joe Hardy in the forthcoming PC game, The Hardy Boys: The Hidden Theft.

“Securing the voice talent of Jesse and Cody really enhances the overall entertainment experience for our fans,” said Byron Gaum, Global Product Marketing Manager, DreamCatcher Games. “We are thrilled to be working with both stars on making The Hidden Theft one of the most captivating Hardy Boys mysteries to date.”

“It’s very exciting having Jesse McCartney and Cody Linley on the project,” said Mike Adams, Producer of The Hardy Boys franchise for DreamCatcher Games. “They are such great young talents, and I look forward to working with them both.”

Emmy award-winning daytime actor and platinum-selling recording artist Jesse McCartney makes his way back to the videogame space as he takes on the voice of elder brother Frank Hardy in The Hardy Boys: The Hidden Theft. Now a veteran at lending his voice to a videogame character, Jesse will help guide Hannah Montana star, Cody Linley as he rounds out the famous mystery solving duo by lending his voice as Frank’s younger brother, Joe Hardy.

In The Hardy Boys: The Hidden Theft, the vault of the Spencer Mansion is robbed, and the Bayport Police call on the Hardy Boys to help tie up some loose ends, but they soon find themselves in the middle of a major criminal investigation that takes them on an adventure all over Bayport, and even into New York City. But the pieces don’t add up, and Frank and Joe find themselves embroiled in a drama of sinister proportions. Is the recent theft linked to something from the past? Can Frank and Joe find and decipher the clues in time to prevent another crime from happening?
Developed by XPEC Entertainment Inc., The Hardy Boys: The Hidden Theft is expected to be available for PC users this fall at retail outlets nationwide. For more information about The Hardy Boys: The Hidden Theft please visit www.dreamcatchergames.com.

Cody Linley(left) Jesse McCartney (right)

Contains practice tests for USA, Canada, Spain, Italy, France, Germany, UK

April 30th, 2008 (Toronto, CANADA): DreamCatcher Games and JoWooD Productions, leading worldwide publishers and distributors of interactive entertainment software, today announced the development of Drivers Ed Portable for the Nintendo DS™ system. The game will allow teens worldwide to prepare for the written portion of their driver’s licence examination, customized to the country, state or province in which they live.

“Nintendo DS is proving to be an exceptional platform for delivering all types of content, not just traditional games,” says Brian Gladman, Global Product Marketing Manager at DreamCatcher. “Everyone needs to study for their driving test, and we’re confident lots of teens will enjoy having a fun way to study the material on a platform they are comfortable with.”

Drivers Ed Portable will feature two modes: Test and Train. Test mode will include sample tests for the written part of the driver’s license examination for all 50 US states, 13 Canadian provinces and territories, as well as Spain, Italy, France, Germany and the United Kingdom. User progress will be tracked, so the player will know where they need to improve their study in order to be successful in their actual test. Train mode will include three fun and educational mini-games targeted to new drivers.

Drivers Ed Portable will be available for Fall 2008.

Liezen, Austria, April 14th 2008; JoWooD Productions announces the official Add-On for the award winning roleplaying game Gothic 3. Gothic 3 – Forsaken Gods will answer many open questions and guarantee a seamless step to Gothic 4. Once more you take on the role of the nameless Hero and again you have to raise your sword in anger to save the world of Gothic. On your journey you will meet old friends – but be careful, some old alliances may not have lasted the test of time….

JoWood is working on the expansion and the feedback from fans is extremely important to the developer of Gothic 3 - Forsaken Gods. The game designer and developer are studying the Gothic message boards each day and will incorporate as many of the fan-wishes as possible while working on the extension.

The release of Gothic 3 - Forsaken Gods is planned for Q4 2008. Further information will follow soon!

Liezen, Austria, April 11th 2008; JoWooD Productions releases an update for SpellForce 2 which solves multiplayer problems as well as the rarely occurring camera bug. The Patch works with SpellForce 2 – Dragon Storm and SpellForce 2 Gold.

Patch
Technical Support Board

Liezen, Austria, March 25th 2008; JoWooD Productions expands its direct distribution by incorporating 3rd Party products in its product portfolio by cooperating with developers and publishers who intend to sell their Full-, mid- and Low Price games through various successful distribution channels.

Austria-based publisher JoWooD Productions Software Inc. covers the direct distribution of 3rd party products through its subsidiaries specialized in international distribution, serving the key markets of Central and Southeastern Europe as well as Central - and South America via the recently constituted JoWooD Iberica S.L. In German-speaking territories, direct distribution efforts have been successfully initiated with top products such as the Universe Editions of Gothic, SpellForce and The Guild.

“After our great start in German speaking territories and our successful deployment of new distribution companies in various countries, we are glad to market other products as well in our direct distribution network. Our key employees for these tasks have long experience in business and have access to a highly developed choice of traditional and non-traditional distribution channels, not only in Europe and Northern America, but also in the newly emerging markets of Central and Southern America. One big advantage is the high degree of transparency for our partners in our transparent merchandise management system, providing real-time access to sales amounts, product prizes and marketing activities.”, comments Albert Seidl, CEO JoWooD Productions.

Companies interested in marketing their products via JoWooD’s successful direct distribution opportunities are invited to contact the JoWooD Business Development department (bd@jowood.com; +43 3612 2828 0).

More information can be found here: JoWooD Distribution Homepage

Liezen, Austria, March 18th 2008; Until now, only the cities of Germany, England and other Nothern regions were part of the successful The Guild series. JoWooD Productions is now working on the new Add-on for The Guild 2 which will take the player to the most fascinating city of the 15th century: Venice. Built on more than hundred islands and popular for the gondoliers with their famous songs Venice is still the pearl of the Adria.

“The Guild 2 - Venezia” will show the fascinating ambience of Venice. Small Sidestreets, Gondolieres and the mystical carnival promise many hours of game fun. Live your life in The Guild 2 - Venezia like the medieval population did - build up your family, earn money and enjoy the romance of Venice. Maybe you will meet the famous Casanova.

Enjoy the fascinating history of Venice - the city which is today as fascinating as in the past. Release of the standalone Game will be End of September 2008.