SIERRA ENTERTAINMENT’S PROTOTYPE IS THE FIRST VIDEO GAME TO FEATURE NEURAL-THX 7.1 SURROUND
New Audio Technology Takes Next Generation Titles from 5.1 to 7.1 Surround
CES 2008, Las Vegas, January 7, 2008 – THX Ltd., Neural Audio Corp. and Sierra Entertainment, a division of Vivendi Games, today announced that Prototype, the first-person shooter (FPS) for next-gen gaming consoles and PCs, will be the world’s first video game to feature Neural-THX® Surround. The Neural-THX Surround technology enabled Radical Entertainment, an internal development studio of Sierra Entertainment, to extend the surround sound experience from 5.1 to 7.1, allowing gamers with Neural-THX Surround capabilities on their audio-video receiver to play Prototype in 7.1 discrete surround sound. Prototype will go on sale in the U.S. in fall 2008.
Expanding the game audio experience to 7.1 allows gamers to add two speakers to the rear of their home theaters or living rooms, creating a 360-degree listening environment. When playing Prototype in Neural-THX Surround, sound elements will be placed in the front, side and behind the gamer, enabling them to react to audio cues all around them. The result is a more interactive and immersive game-play experience. A demonstration of the Neural-THX Surround 7.1 game experience will be available in the THX booth (South Hall: 20307) during CES 2008.
“Game developers and consumers alike are recognizing the importance of accurate surround sound to the overall game experience, and the move to 7.1 surround represents a natural evolution of game audio,” said Dr. Mark Tuffy, games director at THX Ltd. “We are thrilled to partner with Sierra and Radical Entertainment to introduce Neural-THX Surround for games. The Prototype storyline and use of surround sound elements makes it the perfect fit for 7.1 game-play.”
A recent survey of U.S. gamers by Nielsen NRG revealed that more than 48 percent of Xbox 360 and 54 percent of PS3 consoles are connected to multi-channel, home theater systems. In fact, more gaming consoles are now connected to multi-channel audio systems than television speakers, indicating that surround sound has grown in importance among the gaming community.
For AV receiver and loudspeaker manufacturers, Neural-THX Surround, offers a valuable new feature to attract and grow the next generation of home theater enthusiasts. Neural-THX Surround is being integrated in an estimated 70 percent of new audio-video receivers, from companies such as Sony, Pioneer, Yamaha, Onkyo, Integra, Denon, Marantz, Inkel and Sherwood. Neural-THX Surround AV receivers are being shipped in more than 25 countries worldwide.
About THX LTD.
THX Ltd. was founded by filmmaker George Lucas to improve the way movie audiences experience the sights and sounds of feature films on the silver screen. The goal, then and now, is to continually improve the entertainment experience through strict engineering performance standards, innovative product designs and breakthrough technologies. Leading companies from around the globe count on THX to help them create better, more innovative products and services. For more information, visit www.thx.com.
About Sierra Entertainment
Sierra Entertainment (www.sierra.com), a global division of Vivendi Games, creates and publishes innovative, high-quality interactive entertainment for videogame systems, handheld gaming devices and personal computers. Sierra Entertainment features a portfolio of titles based on original IP and popular licenses from industry-leading content partners, including F.E.A.R. ™, Crash Bandicoot®, Spyro The Dragon®, Scarface™ and Ice Age™. Sierra Entertainment has four integrated internal studios providing creative talents and development capabilities across multiple gaming genres: High Moon Studios in San Diego, CA; Massive Entertainment in Malmo, Sweden; Radical Entertainment in Vancouver, B.C.; and Swordfish Studios in Birmingham and Manchester, England.
About Neural Audio
Neural Audio, through its Neural-THX® Surround technology and unique audio optimization technologies, has become the key enabler in the delivery of high quality content for the TV, radio, game, Internet, home theatre and mobile markets. Key broadcast partners and customers such as XM Satellite Radio, Yamaha Corporation, Sony Corporation, Pioneer Electronics, Onkyo Corporation, Denon Electronics, Marantz America and Harris Corporation have adopted Neural Audio technologies to provide the best quality audio available today to their customers. For more information, please visit www.neuralaudio.com, or www.neuralsurround.com.
THX is a trademark of THX Ltd., which may be registered in some jurisdictions. All rights reserved.
Neural Surround is a trademark owned by Neural Audio Corporation.
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MEDIA CONTACTS:
Jackie Broo
Communications Manager, Neural Audio Corporation
Email: jackie@neuralaudio.com
Office: +1-425.814.3200, ext. 116
Mobile: +1-513-304-9514
Graham McKenna
Sr. Manager, Global PR
THX Ltd.
415-492-3900
gmckenna@thx.com
Sunok Pak
Hill & Knowlton (for THX Ltd.)
415-281-7129
sunok.pak@hillandknowlton.com
Erik Reynolds
Sierra Entertainment
310-210-1682
Erik.reynolds@sierra.com