LOS ANGELES--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Electronic Arts Inc. (NASDAQ:EA), Illumination Entertainment and Universal Partnerships & Licensing today announced a new multi-title partnership to bring the Minions and other characters from upcoming Illumination films to life in all-new mobile games. Minions Paradise™, the first game from the collaboration, launches worldwide this summer, allowing players to create their own tropical Minion utopia and take control of a never-before-seen Minion named “Phil.”
As part of this unique partnership, Illumination’s writers, directors, artists, and animators are working hand-in-hand with EA’s mobile development team on the creative of the mobile games.
“Illumination Entertainment creates entertaining and unexpected characters in its blockbuster films, such as the Minions, who are a global phenomenon. EA is excited to partner with Illumination and Universal Partnerships & Licensing to bring these delightful characters to life for millions of fans on mobile devices,” said Frank Gibeau, Executive Vice President, EA Mobile. “This incredible partnership will help us bring players an unforgettable way to build the ultimate playground for their Minions, with an engaging story and deep and varied gameplay.”
“We strive to find unique ways to work with our partners and are excited that our filmmaking team is creating game content side by side with EA and Universal,” said Chris Meledandri, Founder and CEO, Illumination Entertainment. “We want to bring the same level of care and creativity to these games that we bring to our films. For the first time ever, we are introducing a brand new Minion character in a game. Minions Paradise is a great way to start our new partnership with EA, and we look forward to sharing the game with fans all over the world this summer.”
“We, and our world-class filmmaking partners at Illumination, are thrilled to team with EA, a clear industry leader in digital and mobile entertainment,” said Vince Klaseus, President, Brand Development, NBCUniversal. “The Minions have entertained audiences across the globe since they were first introduced in 2010’s Despicable Me, and this new mobile gaming content will engage players by allowing them to build their own paradise alongside the Minions on the world’s most ubiquitous and accessible devices.”
Minions Paradise will be free to download* and introduces a new Minion character named Phil.
Phil leads the Minions to create the world of their dreams after finding themselves shipwrecked on a tropical island. Players will help the Minions build, craft and design their ultimate tropical playground, complete with whirling waterslides, electric eel tanks, firefly trees, and of course, plenty of bananas.
*Network fees may apply.
About Electronic Arts
Electronic Arts (NASDAQ:EA) is a global leader in digital interactive entertainment. The Company delivers games, content and online services for Internet-connected consoles, personal computers, mobile phones and tablets. EA has more than 300 million registered players around the world.
In fiscal year 2014, EA posted GAAP net revenue of $3.6 billion. Headquartered in Redwood City, California, EA is recognized for a portfolio of critically acclaimed, high-quality blockbuster brands such as The Sims™, Madden NFL, EA SPORTS™ FIFA, Battlefield™, Dragon Age™ and Plants vs. Zombies™. More information about EA is available at www.ea.com/news.
EA SPORTS, The Sims, Dragon Age, Plants vs. Zombies and Battlefield are trademarks of Electronic Arts Inc. and its subsidiaries. John Madden, NFL and FIFA are the property of their respective owners and used with permission.
About Illumination Entertainment
Illumination Entertainment, founded by Chris Meledandri in 2007, is one of the entertainment industry’s leading producers of all-audience event films. In July 2010, Illumination, which has an exclusive financing and distribution partnership with Universal Pictures, released its first film, Despicable Me, starring Steve Carell, which earned more than $540 million worldwide and launched a beloved global franchise. With the success of 2011’s Hop (over $183 million worldwide), 2012’s Dr. Seuss’ The Lorax and 2013’s juggernaut Despicable Me 2— the highest-grossing first-run film in Universal’s history and the year’s third-highest-grossing film at the worldwide box office—Illumination’s films have made almost $2 billion. Universal and Illumination’s next film Minions, starring Academy Award®-winner Sandra Bullock and Jon Hamm, written by Brian Lynch, and directed by Pierre Coffin and Chris Renaud, arrives in theaters on July 10, 2015. Fans may also experience Minion Mayhem in 3D with the Ultra-HD movie motion simulator adventure at Universal Orlando Resort and Universal Studios Hollywood.
About Universal Partnerships & Licensing
Universal Partnerships & Licensing (UP&L) oversees NBCUniversal’s consumer product licensing, film, home entertainment and television promotions, and corporate alliances for Universal’s theatrical, home entertainment, television, theme parks and stage productions. This dedicated division is also responsible for monetizing the company’s vast library of films and characters through licensing, branding and marketing opportunities. UP&L is part of NBCUniversal. NBCUniversal is one of the world’s leading media and entertainment companies in the development, production, and marketing of entertainment, news, and information to a global audience. NBCUniversal owns and operates a valuable portfolio of news and entertainment television networks, a premier motion picture company, significant television production operations, a leading television stations group, world renowned theme parks, and a suite of leading Internet‐based businesses. NBCUniversal is a subsidiary of Comcast Corporation.
Minions Paradise is a trademark and copyright of Universal City Studios LLC. Licensed by Universal Studios Licensing LLC. All Rights Reserved.
