News

August 31, 2007

Midway Delivers Unprecedented Marketing Campaign For STRANGLEHOLD

Multi-Million Dollar, Global Marketing Campaign Generates Massive Consumer Awareness

Midway Games Inc., a leading interactive entertainment publisher and developer today announced it's multi-million dollar, global marketing campaign for the highly anticipated and award-winning Stranglehold™, expected to release in North America for the Xbox 360 on September 5. The PC and PlayStation® 3 versions will follow on September 18 and September 25, respectively. Stranglehold's marketing campaign, Midway's most robust campaign ever, is anchored by the pioneering integrated Fox Interactive Media campaign which includes the True to John Woo Short Film Contest, and the special, limited collector's edition on the PlayStation 3 that features the game and a full-length version of John Woo's critically acclaimed action film "Hard Boiled" together on the same high-capacity PlayStation 3 Blu-Ray disc. The expansive TV advertising campaign is scheduled to kick off this week with a sneak peak at Stranglehold and the debut of the winning short film of the True to John Woo Short Film Contest, during the Saturdasian Invasion Film Marathon, August 18th on Spike TV.

"Our strategic and unparalleled marketing campaign for Stranglehold has produced immense awareness among consumers," said Steve Allison, chief marketing officer, Midway. "We've reached outside the typical marketing campaign and tapped into new avenues to reach the mass consumer."

The Stranglehold marketing campaign will cover all pertinent mediums worldwide and include:

  • National television advertising campaign on multiple mainstream broadcast and cable networks such as Spike TV, ESPN, MTV, USA Networks, Comedy Central, and Cartoon Network.

  • Outdoor advertising such as billboards, bus shelters, trolley cars and wallscapes in top markets including New York, San Francisco and Los Angeles

  • Sponsorship of Spike TV's Saturdasian Invasion Film Marathon on August 18 beginning at 2pm ET.

  • Aggressive online campaign to top-tier enthusiast and mainstream consumer sites including MySpace, IGN, Team Xbox, IMDB, GameSpot, GamesRadar, and Rotten Tomatoes.

  • Demo on Xbox LIVE! Marketplace, PlayStation Store and PC

  • National pre-sell programs at select retailers, where gamers can pre-order Stranglehold and receive Stranglehold branded items such as a shot glass, Xbox faceplate skin, and a special edition John Woo comic book.

  • Dedicated web presence at www.strangleholdgame.com , www.strangleholdcentral.ign.com ,  and www.myspace.com/strangleholdgame 

  • Special, limited edition PlayStation 3 collector’s edition featuring the game and a full-length version of John Woo's critically acclaimed action film "Hard Boiled" together on the same high-capacity PlayStation 3 Blu-Ray disc. While supplies last.

  • Various video vignettes and trailers on enthusiast Web sites highlighting various game modes

  • Press events where enthusiast and mainstream, print and online, media can play pre-release versions of Stranglehold

  • Stranglehold's True to John Woo Short Film Contest which received over 300 entries

  • Various sweepstakes with different partners including; PLAY! Magazine, GamesRadar.com and IGN.com

  • Cross promotion with Genius Products in conjunction with their Dragon Dynasty DVD collection, including the recent release of "Hard Boiled"

  • Sponsorships of major U.S. Asian film festivals in Los Angeles and New York

About Stranglehold™ A collaboration with world renowned action film director John Woo's Tiger Hill Entertainment, Stranglehold allows players to experience the excitement of true next-gen action as you take on the role of Inspector Tequila created by John Woo for his influential action film, Hard Boiled starring Chow Yun-Fat. Ensnared by a crime boss with a gripping secret, Inspector Tequila is forced to cross the line from sworn duty to renegade cop. Engage your enemies with intense cinematic gun battles and cause massive environmental damage in real-time or revolutionary slow-motion Tequila Time. Stranglehold is currently expected to release for the Xbox 360 and PC on August 27 and PlayStation 3 on September 17. More information about Stranglehold can be found online at www.strangleholdgame.com.