Acclaim's ECW Hardcore Revolution Packs a Punch as it Hits Stores Today
Thu. February 17, 2000 12:00 AM by Business Wire
Glen Cove, NY -
Acclaim Entertainment, Inc. (NASDAQ:AKLM), a leading worldwide interactive entertainment company, today announced that its highly anticipated Extreme Championship Wrestling (ECW) video game, ECW Hardcore Revolution shipped to stores today, "Hardcore Thursday" for the Sony PlayStation(R) and Nintendo(R) 64.
Extreme Championship Wrestling is one of the three nationally recognized wrestling organizations and the innovator of "extreme" style wrestling and adult-orientated storylines. Extreme wrestling moves and storylines have fueled the popularity of wrestling in recent years, as ECW moves are adopted by the other wrestling federations. While the popularity of wrestling has drawn a lot of attention, ECW's influence has remained relatively unknown.
"In capturing the essence of Extreme Championship Wrestling, ECW Hardcore Revolution will be the first-ever mature-rated wrestling video game for audiences 17 and older," says Michael Archer, brand director of Acclaim Ring Sports. "The game's extreme wrestling action and strong language sets it apart from other wrestling video games by targeting an adult audience."
"I have never seen such enthusiasm for a video game release before," commented Allen Tigner, Manager of Software, Etc. in Manhattan. The pre-release autograph session held Tuesday, February 15 attracted over 3500 fans who lined up for a chance to purchase ECW Hardcore Revolution video game and receive an autograph from "The Innovator of Violence," Tommy Dreamer and "Mr. Pay-Per-View," Rob Van Dam.
ECW Hardcore Revolution features: Over 40 of the most Extreme wrestlers, including: Justin Credible, Mike Awesome, Raven, Francine, and more; the first-ever Barbed-Wire Match; first-ever Wrestling Legends; three all-new arenas; over 20 game modes; new weapons; photo realistic polygonal wrestlers with real-life faces and actual gimmicks; all-new motion captured maneuvers; over 400 punishing moves, including signature moves for each wrestler, trademark finishing moves; taunts for each wrestler; and color commentary from the voice of ECW - Joey Styles.
Plus, all the features that make Acclaim the innovator of wrestling video games: Create Your Own Pay-Per-View Mode, Create-a-Wrestler, and Career Mode.
A multi-million dollar marketing campaign, including television, radio, print, online and consumer promotions with strategically targeted partners continues to support the title. In addition, Acclaim has a dedicated website for ECW Hardcore Revolution at www.hardcorerevolution.com. Acclaim's ECW Hardcore Revolution Video Game is the title sponsor of the first two ECW Pay-Per-Views for 2000, "Guilty as Charged" (January) and "Living Dangerously" on March 12, 2000.
Several gaming and consumer media outlets banned the original advertisements for ECW Hardcore Revolution because of its extreme subject matter and mature content. With that, Acclaim produced alternative advertisements to run in media outlets that refused the original advertisements, with a link to ECW Hardcore Revolution's website (www.hardcorerevolution.com.) to view the banned ads.
Extreme Championship Wrestling is one of the three nationally recognized wrestling organizations and the innovator of "extreme" style wrestling and adult-orientated storylines. Extreme wrestling moves and storylines have fueled the popularity of wrestling in recent years, as ECW moves are adopted by the other wrestling federations. While the popularity of wrestling has drawn a lot of attention, ECW's influence has remained relatively unknown.
"In capturing the essence of Extreme Championship Wrestling, ECW Hardcore Revolution will be the first-ever mature-rated wrestling video game for audiences 17 and older," says Michael Archer, brand director of Acclaim Ring Sports. "The game's extreme wrestling action and strong language sets it apart from other wrestling video games by targeting an adult audience."
"I have never seen such enthusiasm for a video game release before," commented Allen Tigner, Manager of Software, Etc. in Manhattan. The pre-release autograph session held Tuesday, February 15 attracted over 3500 fans who lined up for a chance to purchase ECW Hardcore Revolution video game and receive an autograph from "The Innovator of Violence," Tommy Dreamer and "Mr. Pay-Per-View," Rob Van Dam.
ECW Hardcore Revolution features: Over 40 of the most Extreme wrestlers, including: Justin Credible, Mike Awesome, Raven, Francine, and more; the first-ever Barbed-Wire Match; first-ever Wrestling Legends; three all-new arenas; over 20 game modes; new weapons; photo realistic polygonal wrestlers with real-life faces and actual gimmicks; all-new motion captured maneuvers; over 400 punishing moves, including signature moves for each wrestler, trademark finishing moves; taunts for each wrestler; and color commentary from the voice of ECW - Joey Styles.
Plus, all the features that make Acclaim the innovator of wrestling video games: Create Your Own Pay-Per-View Mode, Create-a-Wrestler, and Career Mode.
A multi-million dollar marketing campaign, including television, radio, print, online and consumer promotions with strategically targeted partners continues to support the title. In addition, Acclaim has a dedicated website for ECW Hardcore Revolution at www.hardcorerevolution.com. Acclaim's ECW Hardcore Revolution Video Game is the title sponsor of the first two ECW Pay-Per-Views for 2000, "Guilty as Charged" (January) and "Living Dangerously" on March 12, 2000.
Several gaming and consumer media outlets banned the original advertisements for ECW Hardcore Revolution because of its extreme subject matter and mature content. With that, Acclaim produced alternative advertisements to run in media outlets that refused the original advertisements, with a link to ECW Hardcore Revolution's website (www.hardcorerevolution.com.) to view the banned ads.
News, photos provided by Business Wire.