NEWS - Friday, March 5, 2004
Sammy Studios Announces The Shield
Sammy Studios, a developer, publisher and global distributor of interactive entertainment content, today announced the upcoming video game based on the award-winning Fox Television Studios police show The Shield. The Emmy and Golden Globe winning series has become one of the most talked about shows on television. The always gritty, often trailblazing series follows hard-nosed police detective Vic Mackey and his special unit Strike Team. Assigned to the toughest criminal syndicates, Vic and the Strike Team define a new form of policing on The Shield, forming a virtual bulwark against what they perceive as civil degradation in Farmington. To create an authentic video game experience based on the show, Sammy Studios is working closely with Fox Television Studios and the show’s creators. The Shield video game is being developed by Point Of View, and is slated for release on home consoles in Spring 2005. This game is not yet rated. "The Shield is that rare television show that doesn’t just break boundaries, it creates new ones," said Tim Pivnicny, senior VP of sales and marketing, Sammy Studios, "We intend to do the same with the game, bringing new gameplay mechanics to create the first truly gritty police action game, and enlisting the show’s creators for production value on par with that of the award-winning series." For the video game, Sammy Studios and Point Of View are capturing the look, feel, and authenticity of The Shield television series in a 3rd-person action game. Never-before-seen gameplay elements will create the first true-to-life police action game, and moments taken directly from the series will immerse players in the disturbing Farmington underworld now recognized by millions as Vic Mackey’s universe. Players will control Vic in a living, breathing Farmington, engaging in perilous assignments ranging from busting crack dens to thwarting bank robberies. Much like the series, Vic and the Strike Team will delve into the grayest areas of the law, fighting a war on crime where the ends justify the means. In addition to the raw action that undergirds the gameplay, players will be able to employ tactics used by Vic on the show, including intimidating suspects, employing brute force, accepting and offering bribes and planting incriminating evidence. The game will also let players choose between the right and wrong side of the law, with Vic walking a thin line while trying to accomplish missions, maintain the respect of his men, keep his politically ambitious police captain happy, pad his retirement fund and, above all, avoid Internal Affairs. Sammy Studios is working in cooperation with the show’s creators to ensure that the game recreates the same action and visceral emotional impact as the show. The Shield has grown tremendously in popularity in just two seasons, enjoying a 24% growth in average viewers in the male 18-34 demographic between season one and two. With an average of 3.3 million viewers Tuesdays at 10 PM for season two, The Shield maintained its position as the most watched original drama series in basic cable. The Shield returns to FX for its third season beginning on Tuesday, March 9 at 10 PM ET/PT.Source: http://www.theinquirer.net/
