BRENTWOOD, TN. (EMI CMG) - EMI CMG Distribution, a division of EMI CMG and the market leader in the distribution of Christian audio and video music recordings, has signed a long-term retail distribution agreement with family-friendly entertainment software maker
Digital Praise, Inc., announced Rich Peluso, president of EMI CMG Distribution, and Tom Bean, President and CEO,
Digital Praise.
The new agreement includes the Christian retail distribution launch for all new and future Digital Praise products. The first releases are two interactive computer games based on the Focus on the Family Adventures in Odyssey radio theater series. The titles, Adventures in Odyssey and the Sword of the Spirit and Adventures in Odyssey and the Treasure of the Incas feature well-known Odyssey characters, Whit, Connie, and Eugene in new adventures and mystery series created specifically for the medium of computer games. The games are designed for children ages eight and up and are available for the Windows and Macintosh platforms.
EMI CMG Distribution has demonstrated a commitment to and belief in the kid's software market, and believe Digital Praise will be an important partner as we continue to make kids software and games a strategic priority for EMI CMG. While Digital Praise is a relatively new company, the team of software and gaming professionals is a virtual who's who in their fields. We are honored that they have entrusted us to distribute their products, said Peluso.
Last year, video game sales represented 10 billion in revenues. We believe there is a tremendous market opportunity for innovative, faith-based computer games that also reinforce positive concepts. Based on EMI CMG Distribution's impressive track record in kids software in just the past few years, we know that they share our vision and goals of offering consumers high-quality choices in family-friendly entertainment and faith-based edutainment, said Bean.
Digital Praise officially launched in June of 2003 with a commitment to releasing fun, exciting game titles that promote virtues and family values like forgiveness, tolerance and kindness, rather than the violent and sexual behavior that is the mainstay of most popular computer games today. With over 150 years of combined experience at leading entertainment software companies such as The Learning Company, Disney Interactive and Activision, members of the Digital Praise development team have been instrumental in the creation of over 20 popular software titles, including educational favorites Carmen Sandiego, Reader Rabbit and Oregon Trail. Digital Praise is developing game titles using its proprietary game engine, FunWare, a unique development platform designed to accelerate the prototyping and deployment of interactive games.
The Digital Praise Adventures in Odyssey games will be released through EMI CMG March 1, 2005. Each game has an MSRP of $29.95 with intro price of $24.95 at retail for a limited time and offers hours of exciting, inspirational game play. The release of the Digital Praise game titles will provide another environment in which fans can enjoy their favorite fictional Midwestern town of Odyssey. The games will feature characters and situations from the beloved radio and animated film series and will make it possible to play along and help solve the mysteries.
* Adventures in Odyssey and the Sword of the Spirit bring back everybody's favorite lovable geek, Eugene, to join with Connie and Whit as they attempt to find an important historical artifact and keep it out of the hands of newly introduced villain Gustav. In this arcade-style game players must overcome a series of mental, physical, and character challenges.
* Adventures in Odyssey and the Treasure of the Incas follows a mystery format. Players help Eugene, Whit, and Connie unravel a mystery involving Eugene's parents and the treasure they found on an archeological expedition to South America.
Designed for families with children ages eight and up, Adventures in Odyssey is one of the most popular family radio programs in the world and boasts in excess of 1.2 million listeners each day. Since 1987, Adventures in Odyssey has aired over 550 episodes and can be heard on over 2,000 daily broadcasts worldwide. The Adventures in Odyssey characters, places and themes have starred in 16 videos and 20 novels.
Digital Praise couldn't have made a better decision than to launch their company with games from Adventures in Odyssey, among the most trusted and beloved brands for Christian families. There will be legions of loyal Odyssey fans that will be eager to try out these new games, said Peluso.
EMI CMG Distribution has quickly become a leader in the marketing and distribution of children's product and is the current Christian market leader for kids interactive products distributing all VeggieTales Interactive PC games, "Charlie the Church Mouse" games from Lifeline Studios and the just-released Video Director game from Jump5, a first of its kind for a Christian music artist.
EMI CMG Distribution's premier portfolio of owned and distributed children's brands also includes distribution relationships with Wacky World Studios and Cartoon Pizza, which introduced The Roach Approach and HoopDogz respectively last fall. EMI CMG also unveiled the new DVD series for tween boys, Angel Wars Guardian Force 1 and a new Steve Green kids offering, The Adventures of Sir Bernard The Good Knight.
Other brands calling EMI CMG Distribution home include Big Idea's VeggieTunes Music and VeggieTales Interactive products, Good Times Entertainment and last yea's new and number-one selling baby brand, the Praise Baby Collection from Big House Kids.
