30/03/10 – Future, the special-interest media group, is partnering with Square Enix Europe to promote FINAL FANTASY® XIII and JUST CAUSE 2 in the launch episode of FirstPlay – Europe’s first on-console interactive show –exclusively for Sony’s PlayStation 3 console.
The launch episode of FirstPlay debuts Thursday, 8th April on the PlayStation Network Store and offers the industry a new way of reaching out to committed gamers, alongside games magazines and websites. Available weekly, FirstPlay delivers brand-new high definition video reviews and previews every week, plus exclusive downloadable content and much more.
With high quality production values and never before seen levels of interactivity, FirstPlay targets the 3million + PS3 owners in the UK with six premium HD video pre-roll adverts, of up to 30 seconds each, which become skippable once you’ve viewed them all. The new on-console service offers advertisers the impact of TV along with the transparency of the web. FirstPlay delivers total user views and other key data, including click throughs and number of links back to the PlayStation Network Store.
Gamers can interact with both of Square Enix Europe’s adverts – from the JUST CAUSE 2 promotional video; a single button click will transfer gamers to the downloadable demo on the PlayStation Network Store, whilst the FINAL FANTASY XIII advert gives gamers the option to link straight to a website with more information, including where to buy the game.
As part of the partnership, Square Enix Europe also offers FirstPlay purchasers an exclusive in-game item for JUST CAUSE 2, not available anywhere else.
Introducing gamers to the FirstPlay experience, episode one delivers an in-depth verdict on JUST CAUSE 2, and also gets to grips with God of War III, showcasing the game’s epic scale in glorious HD and scores a revealing first-look at EA’s Fifa World Cup 2010. Gamers can also get closer to the biggest releases, with FirstPlay’s interactive gallery, and get up to speed with the variety of content available from the PlayStation Network Store, with a weekly round-up of PlayStation Minis, films and digital comics.
Jon Brooke, UK Marketing Director of Square Enix Europe, said:
“FirstPlay offers an innovative way of communicating directly with committed PS3 gamers, and we are excited to be a launch partner. FirstPlay allows us to showcase our new releases in their natural environment in high definition – and it’s really easy for gamers to download a playable demo of JUST CAUSE 2, or find out more about FINAL FANTASY XIII. We look forward to seeing the service develop.”
Richard Keith, Publisher of FirstPlay, added:
“There’s a fantastic buzz about FirstPlay amongst the industry and the gaming community who want to experience our new service for themselves. We are delighted that Square Enix Europe became a launch partner and look forward to working with them. The aim is to make each weekly FirstPlay episode an unmissable event for PlayStation 3 owners, and we’re working on some exciting plans with many of the industry’s biggest names to make this happen.”
Alongside Square Enix Europe, the first episode of FirstPlay includes HD adverts from Sony Computer Entertainment Europe for Heavy Rain, Koch Media for Prison Break: The Conspiracy and BSkyB, for their Sky HD satellite service.
Episode one of FirstPlay is available to download on the PlayStation Network store from Thursday, 8th April – costing 99p per week, or just £8.99 on a quarterly money-saving subscription.
ENDS
About Future
Future plc is an international special-interest media group that is listed on the London Stock Exchange (symbol FUTR). Founded in 1985 with one magazine, today we have operations in the UK, US and Australia creating over 180 special-interest publications, websites and events for people who are passionate about their interests. We hold strong multi-media market positions in games, technology, film, music, cycling, automotive and crafts. Our biggest-selling magazines include Total Film, T3, Classic Rock, Digital Camera, Guitar World, Official Xbox Magazine, Official Playstation Magazine, Nintendo Power, Maximum PC and MacLife. Our websites include gamesradar.com, bikeradar.com, techradar.com, musicradar.com, dailyradar.com and photoradar.com. Future produces nearly 4 million magazines each month; we attract more than 27 million unique visitors to our websites; and we host 27 annual live events that attract hundreds of thousands of enthusiasts. In addition, Future exports, syndicates or licenses its publications to 90 countries internationally, making us the UK’s number one exporter and licensor of monthly magazines.
About Sony Computer Entertainment Europe Ltd
Sony Computer Entertainment Europe (SCEE), based in London, is responsible for the distribution, marketing and sales of PlayStation®3, PlayStation®2, PSP™ (PlayStation®Portable) and PlayStation®Network software and hardware in 99 territories across Europe, the Middle East, Africa and Oceania. SCEE also develops, publishes, markets and distributes entertainment software for these formats, and manages the third party licensing programs for the formats in these territories. Since the launch of PlayStation 3 in November 2006, over 27 million units have been sold globally and continue to be sold at a record level. Maintaining its position as one of the most successful consumer electronic products in history, PlayStation 2 has sold over 140.7 million systems worldwide. Since its launch at the end of 2004, over 55.9 million PSPs have been sold globally, highlighting the importance of the portable entertainment market. With the huge increase in interest and accessibility of network applications and network gaming, over 31 million accounts have registered to PlayStation Network, the free-to-access interactive environment, and over 650 million items have been downloaded.
For more information
Will Guyatt, Media Relations Manager, Future UK, 01225 822517.
About Square Enix Ltd.
Square Enix Ltd., a part of Square Enix Europe business unit, is a London-based wholly-owned subsidiary of Square Enix Holdings Co., Ltd., one of the most influential providers of digital entertainment content in the world. Square Enix Ltd. publishes and distributes entertainment content from the Square Enix Group including Square Enix, Eidos and Taito in Europe and other PAL territories. Square Enix Ltd. also has a global network of leading development studios such as IO Interactive, Crystal Dynamics and Eidos Montréal. The Square Enix Group boasts a valuable portfolio of intellectual property including: FINAL FANTASY, which has sold over 96 million units worldwide, DRAGON QUEST® which has sold over 53 million units worldwide and TOMB RAIDER® which has sold over 35 million units worldwide, together with other well established products.
More information on Square Enix Ltd. can be found on the Internet at http://www.square-enix.com
DRAGON QUEST, FINAL FANTASY, SQUARE ENIX and the SQUARE ENIX logo are registered trademarks of Square Enix Holdings Co., Ltd. in the United Kingdom and/or other countries. EIDOS, TOMB RAIDER, IO INTERACTIVE and CRYSTAL DYNAMICS are trademarks of Square Enix Ltd.
Other names of companies and products mentioned are trademarks or registered trademarks of the companies concerned. All Rights Reserved.
Square Enix Limited is a company registered in England & Wales under the number 1804186 whose registered office is Wimbledon Bridge House, 1 Hartfield Road, Wimbledon, London, SW19 3RU
