LEGACY INTERACTIVE®, UNIVERSAL CABLE PRODUCTIONS, USA NETWORK, AND NBCUNIVERSAL TURN POPULAR TELEVISION SHOW INTO AN INTERACTIVE GAME
“Psych” Game to Appeal to Massive Casual Games Audience While Extending Current Fan Engagement Initiatives
Game is Licensed Through Universal Partnerships & Licensing on Behalf of NBCUniversal Television Consumer Products Group
UNIVERSAL CITY, CA – June 2, 2011 – Leading casual game developer and publisher Legacy Interactive® announced today that they have signed a licensing agreement with Universal Partnerships & Licensing to develop a videogame based on the Universal Cable Productions detective comedy-drama series “Psych.” The videogame, slated to launch in Q4-2011 on the PC and Mac, will be the latest addition to Legacy’s popular “Hollywood Hits” game series that includes “Murder, She Wrote,” “House, M.D.,” “Ghost Whisperer,” and “Criminal Minds.” A fan favorite and the #1 new series when it premiered on USA Network, “Psych,” is about Santa Barbara’s favorite crime psychic team starring James Roday and Dulé Hill.
“Legacy Interactive is thrilled to be collaborating again with NBCUniversal,” said Ariella Lehrer, President and CEO of Legacy Interactive. “’Psych’ is the perfect TV license for the light adventure game customer, given how its protagonist, Shawn Spencer, uses observational skills to solve crimes. Imagine the opportunities for hidden object game play. Plus, the show has such a great, fun vibe!”
Adapted from the USA Network television series of the same name, TV fans and casual gamers alike can join Shawn and Gus at the Santa Barbara Police Department, as the hilarious duo solves crimes, pretending to use unique psychic powers. “Psych” will be available on Legacy Games for PC/Mac download at http://www.legacygames.com and at top retailers nationwide. “Psych” is licensed through Universal Partnerships & Licensing on behalf of NBCUniversal Television Consumer Products Group, Universal Cable Productions and USA Network. “Psych’s” sixth season will air this Fall on USA.
“Humor, mystery, and co-operation are fantastic elements to work into a casual game design, and “) ‘Psych’ is chock full of these attributes,” said Bill Kispert, Vice President & General Manager, Digital Platforms, Universal Partnerships & Licensing. “We are excited to bring clever, new cases to “Psych” fans online, and to partner again with Legacy Interactive with a leading TV brand.”
“Psych” blends light adventure gameplay with challenging hidden object searches, as players take on the role of Shawn Spencer, who consults with the local police department to solve crimes as a would-be psychic while actually using his heightened observational skills. The game consists of two all-new episodic cases to solve with a cast of quirky witnesses and suspects and no shortage of witty banter between Shawn and best friend Gus. While exploring the beautiful Santa Barbara locales, players must collect inventory items, play mini-games to find previously undetected evidence, solve clever puzzles, and help Shawn and Gus talk their way into and out of trouble. Players must stay alert and watch for clues only an expertly trained investigator, or perhaps even a real psychic, would be able to see in order to uncover the truth.
In tandem with the launch of the game, USA Network will offer a free 30-minute trial of the game on their “Character Arcade” (www.characterarcade.com). Character Arcade is USA Network’s casual/social gaming destination that offers fans an interactive experience beyond game-play. The site includes access to gamer portfolio tools, social networking, an affinity rewards program, industry news, chat-blog forums and new gaming options, including PC, downloadable and MMO titles.
Psych
