News

HARRY POTTER AND THE PRISONER OF AZKABAN VIDEOGAME TO BE EA'S FIRST TITLE TO SUPPORT EYETOY FOR THE PLAYSTATION 2

Next Installment in the Successful Offer Mini-Games Utilizing EyeToy Technology

Chertsey, UK. – March 12th, 2004 – Electronic Arts (Nasdaq:ERTS), the world's leading interactive entertainment software company, today announced that Harry Potter and the Prisoner of AzkabanTM will be the first third-party title to fully utilize the EyeToy* technology for the PlayStation®2 computer entertainment system. With the Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban videogame, Harry PotterTM fans will experience the magic and peril of Harry's third year at HogwartsTM. For the first time, gamers will play as friends Ron WeasleyTMand Hermione GrangerTM as well as Harry Potter, switching between characters and utilizing their key attributes and skills to resolve challenges and overcome enemies. Players will unravel the mystery surrounding Sirius BlackTM and his escape from the infamous wizard prison Azkaban, as they take part in the most exciting and challenging Harry Potter videogame adventure yet.

Now, with the Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban videogame for PS2, Harry Potter fans will be able to enjoy a uniquely entertaining gaming experience as the player's image appears on the television screen via the EyeToy camera, enabling them to actually participate in the Mini-Games themselves. Up to four players can compete in a series of Harry Potter themed games offering hours of fun for the entire family.

To utilize the EyeToy feature, players start out by donning the Sorting HatTM and are sorted into their respective Hogwarts house. In addition, gamers can experience a variety of Mini-Games, including:

  • Chocolate Frogs: Clap your hands together to catch a Chocolate Frog and make a nice, chocolaty mess!
     

  • Exploding Snap: A popular pursuit of Hogwarts pupils, Exploding Snap requires players to match their cards with the snap card to create explosions and increase their score. Chaining correct matches together produces even more explosions!
     

  • Seeker Practice: Now everyone can improve his or her seeker skills by attempting to catch the ever-elusive Golden SnitchTM - just watch out for the Bludger!
     

  • Zonko's Joke Shop: There's only one way to stop Dungbombs! Use Frog Spawn Soap to explode all Dungbombs onscreen; Hiccough Sweets causes them to jump and Stink Pellets slow them down.

    Licensed by Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment, Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban is under development by EA's UK Studio, the team behind the worldwide success of the Harry Potter library of games that have sold over 20 million copies worldwide. The game, which ships under the EA GAMES    TM brand, is scheduled for release on various platforms in spring 2004. EyeToy functionality will only be available for the PlayStation 2 platform.

    * EyeToy technology sold separately

    About Electronic Arts
    Electronic Arts (EA), headquartered in Redwood City, California, is the world's leading interactive entertainment software company. Founded in 1982, Electronic Arts posted revenues of $2.5 billion for fiscal 2003. The company develops, publishes and distributes interactive software worldwide for video game systems, personal computers and the Internet. Electronic Arts markets its products under three brand names: EA SPORTS    TM, EA GAMESTM, and EA SPORTS BIGTM. EA's homepage and online game site is www.ea.com.

    Electronic Arts, EA, EA SPORTS, EA SPORTS BIG and EA GAMES are trademarks or registered trademarks of Electronic Arts Inc. in the U.S. and/or other countries. PlayStation is a registered trademark of Sony Computer Entertainment Inc.     TM, ®, Nintendo GameCube and Game Boy Advance are trademarks of Nintendo. Microsoft and Xbox are registered trademarks or trademarks of Microsoft Corporation in the U.S. and/or other countries. All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners. EyeToy© is a trademark of Sony Computer Entertainment Europe.

    HARRY POTTER and all related characters and elements are trademarks of and © Warner Bros. Entertainment Inc. Harry Potter Publishing Rights © JKR.



    • For More Product Information
    Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban (PS2)