LIONSGATE AND THUNDER ROAD PICTURES ANNOUNCE WORLDWIDE COLLABORATION WITH GAME PUBLISHERS STARBREEZE AND 505 GAMES ON EXCLUSIVE JOHN WICK DOWNLOADABLE CONTENT FOR PAYDAY 2 GAME
Content To Be Released Two Days in Advance of Film’s October 24th Worldwide Launch
VANCOUVER, BC, and SANTA MONICA, CA, October 21, 2014 – Continuing to build its presence in the game space, Lionsgate (NYSE: LGF), a premier next generation global content leader, and Thunder Road Pictures will collaborate with Starbreeze Studios (FN: STAR) and 505 Games, two independent creators, publishers and distributors of computer and video games, on exclusive downloadable John Wick content (DLC) for the PAYDAY 2 game worldwide, the companies announced today. The unique package of branded game content will be released tomorrow, October 22nd, two days ahead of John Wick’s October 24th launch in theatres around the world.
The exclusive content produced by OVERKILL Software – a Starbreeze Studio, based on the professional hit man from the movie, adds a playable John Wick character to the PAYDAY gang. The DLC will be released as a free update for the PAYDAY 2 game on the Steam platform two days ahead of the film’s worldwide theatrical launch to mark the PAYDAY 2 community reaching the final 1.5 million member Crimefest milestone. Beginning tomorrow, moviegoers purchasing tickets to John Wick on Fandango will receive a free download of PAYDAY 2 on Steam.
“We’re big fans of PAYDAY 2 and the team at Starbreeze, and we’re thrilled to kick off our partnership with such a cool movie,” said Lionsgate EVP of Digital Marketing Danielle DePalma. “The hyper-real action sequences in the film almost make you feel like you’re watching an insane video game, so we cannot wait to see John Wick in theaters as well as experience him in the game.”
“We continue working with great partners, this time with Lionsgate and their movie John Wick,” said Starbreeze Chief Executive Officer Bo Andersson Klint. “We’ve finally got a real hitman on our team. Being able to play as John Wick in PAYDAY 2 ahead of the movie’s release is a great reward for our loyal PAYDAY 2 community, which reached the final milestone of 1.5 million members in our PAYDAY 2 Steam group before our 12-day Crimefest event.”
“Lionsgate’s entry into the game space is continuing to build momentum with the addition of another great partner and a tremendous piece of IP,” said Lionsgate President of Interactive Ventures & Games Peter Levin. “We’re delighted to capitalize on this opportunity to collaborate with a world-class partner like Starbreeze whose unique action community includes millions of our target fans.”
The exclusive package of DLC includes --
John Wick, a new playable character in PAYDAY 2
A new perk system called Hitman, which includes features such as Akimbo, the ability to dual wield weapons, a favorite of John Wick himself
A new pistol with accompanying weapon modifications and a new knife melee weapon
Three cool-looking sunglasses to customize and wear
