ESPN VIDEOGAMES TAKES MUSIC-ORIENTED MARKETING INITIATIVE TO THE NEXT LEVEL WITH ESPN NBA 2K5

Renowned Underground Rapper Del The Funky Homosapien Makes In-Game Cameo; ESPN Videogames to Sponsor Hip Hop Tour and DVD Release

ESPN Videogames today announced a unique music and video game initiative in tandem with the release of ESPN NBA 2K5 for the PlayStation(r) 2 computer entertainment system and Xbox(r) video game system from Microsoft(r).  The collaboration will involve a sponsored tour, a soundtrack, a DVD, an in-game cameo of Del the Funky Homosapien, and online/radio broadcast support of the artists.  In addition, the soundtrack CD is being offered as a value-added gift with purchase at retail chains with ESPN NBA 2K5.

ESPN NBA 2K5's soundtrack features more than three dozen original or licensed tracks from 22 forward-thinking artists including Del the Funky Homosapien, Hieroglyphics, Aceyalone & Madlib, Lyrics Born, RJD2, People Under the Stairs, Rob Swift, DJ Design, Tino Corp., and Truck & Mack.  Del has not only leant his musical expertise to ESPN NBA 2K5, he leant his likeness as an unlockable character backed by his own dream team. Adding additional urban authenticity, BukueOne, a prominent artist and Dance Hall DJ, provided stylized artwork for some of the street courts.

Expanding the relationship between a game developer and its soundtrack artists, ESPN Videogames will be sponsoring the 45-city Champion Sound Tour (Cali Comm 2k4), headlined by artists Del the Funky Homosapien, Aceyalone, Haiku De Tat and Zion-1.  The tour kicks off on October 13 at the University of California, Santa Barbara. It comprises 45 stops and concludes on November 24 at San Francisco's historic Fillmore theatre.  A film crew will accompany the tour to capture material for a DVD/CD package due early next year that will show highlights from the game and will be distributed by RED/Sony.

"Music doesn't sell a title on its own, rather it complements a great game," said Tim Rosa, director of marketing, Visual Concepts, producer of ESPN Videogames. "With ESPN NBA 2K5, we've continued our legacy of developing the best hoops game on the market, but now we've elevated the brand with trend setting music and marketing initiatives that will resonate with gamers."

ESPN Videogames are produced by Visual Concepts, SEGA's sports studio.

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