*Parties to create games for all interactive platforms, including next
generation consoles, Internet, mobile phones and PC
*Objective to co-develop original interactive properties to be exploited
simultaneously across all media
*Strong emphasis on online applications
*First interactive product expected to reach market by December 2001
Fox Kids Europe N.V. (AMEX: FKE: Reuters: FOXK.AS; Bloomberg: FKE.NA) The leading pan-European integrated children's entertainment company, signed a five-year agreement with Kalisto Entertainment SA, the leisure software developer and interactive content designer, to launch a game and interactive
franchise for children and families.
Under the agreement, FKE and Kalisto will co-operate to create, license and market original interactive properties, which will be exploited simultaneously across all media. These include video games, online games (narrowband, broadbandand WAP), production and distribution of TV series, consumer products and merchandising. Applications will also be developed on the basis of Fox Kid's
characters. On- and offline games will be created for all interactive platforms,including next-generation consoles, internet, mobile phones and personal computers. Online games developed by the parties will be offered via a website, which will also directly link to FKE's and Kalisto's own websites.
The parties plan to produce interactive games, as well as television series withmerchandising campaigns. The first property produced under the agreement is expected to reach the market by Christmas 2001.
Says Ynon Kreiz, Chairman and CEO, Fox Kids Europe: "This agreement represents agreat opportunity for our company to enter the $20 billion video game market. The relationship between FKE and Kalisto is particularly interesting, as it represents the convergence of our respective media. Kalisto will benefit from FKE's expertise in television production, distribution and commercialisation of children's content, while FKE will have access to Kalisto expertise in the video
game market, including its gaming production capabilities and innovative technologies."
Nicolas Gaume, CEO, Kalisto Entertainment says, "Combining the strong exhilarating entertaiment experience of Fox Kids, and the creative interactive content development skills of Kalisto Entertainment, we will together establish a new and exciting range of products that will offer young audiences the best interactive entertainment currently available on the market. We are extremely
pleased with this partnership and anticipate a long and fruitful relationship with Fox Kids."
Kalisto Entertainment is a leading worldwide independent developer of interactive entertainment software for current and next generation video game machines, home computers and the internet. Created in 1990 its President, Nicolas Gaume, Kalisto is a global company that successfully floated on to the Paris Nouveau Marché in June 1999. With innovative content Kalisto has expanded its game franchises to a wide range of media in the entertainment sector including, books, cinema and television.
