2K Games announced today that it has signed a license agreement with Playboy
magazine for a unique in-game integration to use more than 50 of their
vintage covers and Centerfolds in Mafia®
II,
this year’s highly anticipated epic mobster game for the Xbox 360®
video game and entertainment system from Microsoft, PlayStation®3
computer entertainment system, and Windows PC. Set in the fully realized
and immersive 1940s and 1950s American urban cityscape of Empire Bay,
Mafia
II will enable players to collect virtual copies of the iconic
magazine, which has served as the definitive guide to lifestyle and
culture for men since December 1953.
"While most mob-inspired games’ emphasis is solely on action, Mafia
II features a deep and compelling narrative that is embellished
with a sophisticated, era-evoking atmosphere,” said Christoph Hartmann,
president of 2K. "In partnering with Playboy, we are able to add
a unique element of authenticity to the game by using vintage images
from the magazine that illustrate the power of Playboy’s
influence on the attitudes and culture of that generation.”
Mafia II is a beautifully crafted look into the dark and
unforgiving world of the Mafia where clothing, cars, music and
advertising are meticulously created to replicate an American city in
the ‘40s and ‘50s. Players will easily become engaged in the game’s
cinematic, Hollywood-style experience with strong, believable characters
in a living, breathing city that transports them to a time when
rock-n-roll first strummed its guitar and chrome-plated hot rods roared
down boulevards.
"For more than 55 years, Playboy has been a part of America’s pop
culture landscape, engaging its readers with insightful features,
interviews and fashion spreads, as well as pictorials of some of the
world’s most beautiful women,” said Playboy magazine’s Editorial
Director Jimmy Jellinek. "Mafia II is set when Playboy
first came into vogue and features characters whose style and attitudes
mirror content from our early issues. We’re excited to bring an element
of authenticity to the game that is unmatched in the men’s publishing
category.”
Mafia II is currently in development by 2K Czech, the same
creative team behind the award-winning, genre-defining Mafia®,
which captivated millions of gamers around the world. By fusing
high-octane gunplay with white-knuckle driving and an engaging
narrative, Mafia II looks to be the industry’s most
compelling Mafia title to date.
For more information, please visit www.mafia2game.com.
2K Games is a division of 2K, a publishing label of Take-Two Interactive
Software, Inc. (NASDAQ: TTWO).
About Take-Two Interactive Software
Headquartered in New York City, Take-Two Interactive Software, Inc. is a
global developer, marketer and publisher of interactive entertainment
software games for the PC, PlayStation®3 and PlayStation®2
computer entertainment systems, PSP® (PlayStation®Portable)
system, Xbox 360® video game and entertainment system from
Microsoft, Wii™, Nintendo DS™, iPhone™
and iPod® touch. The Company publishes and develops products
through its wholly owned labels Rockstar Games and 2K, which publishes
its titles under 2K Games, 2K Sports and 2K Play. The Company's common
stock is publicly traded on NASDAQ under the symbol TTWO. For more
corporate and product information please visit our website at www.take2games.com.
About Playboy Enterprises, Inc.
Playboy is one of the most recognized and popular consumer brands
in the world. Playboy Enterprises, Inc. is a media and lifestyle company
that markets the brand through a wide range of media properties and
licensing initiatives. The company publishes Playboy magazine in
the United States and abroad and creates content for distribution via
television networks, websites, mobile platforms and radio. Through
licensing agreements, the Playboy brand appears on a wide range
of consumer products in more than 150 countries as well as retail stores
and entertainment venues.
Microsoft, Windows, Xbox, Xbox 360, Xbox LIVE, and the Xbox logos are
trademarks of the Microsoft group of companies, and 'Games for Windows'
and the Windows Vista Start button logo are used under license from
Microsoft.
"PlayStation" is a registered trademark of Sony Computer Entertainment
Inc.
All trademarks and copyrights contained herein are the property of their
respective holders.
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