LOS ANGELES--(ENTERTAINMENT WIRE)--Aug. 2, 1999-- Ravensburger Interactive Media GmbH, Germany, and Determined Productions Inc., Monday announced the release of ``Backstreet Boys: Puzzles In Motion,'' a new concept in CD-ROM gaming featuring today's hottest, multi-platinum selling pop group, The Backstreet Boys.
Produced by Ravensburger Interactive in cooperation with Determined, ``Backstreet Boys: Puzzles In Motion'' is the first in a series of titles to be released featuring chart-topping musical groups with worldwide appeal. Available on both the Windows 95/98 and Macintosh platforms, ``Backstreet Boys: Puzzles In Motion'' hits retail shelves this summer and will be made available online at www.puzzles-in-motion.com.
'N Sync will be the next ``Puzzles In Motion'' release, expected to hit shelves late fall with other artists to be announced later this year.
Enteractive Distribution Co. has been named the official U.S. distributor of the product to music and computer retailers. Ravensburger US will serve specialty toy retailers. Participating retail stores to be announced at a later date.
``The `Puzzles In Motion' CD-ROM is a completely new concept in CD-ROM gaming. Its non-violent nature will easily attract parental endorsement and appeal to a wide target audience,'' said Thomas Kirchenkamp, managing director of Ravensburger Interactive Media. ``The game will not only excite Backstreet Boys and pop music fans, but also attract girls and women who so far have been underserved.''
Ravensburger's ``Puzzles In Motion'' products perfectly illustrate the convergence of music, video and puzzle-solving all in one unique title. A fun, challenging and irresistible CD-ROM game where fans can interact with their favorite music groups, like the Backstreet Boys, while listening to their biggest hits as they attempt to solve an intriguing video puzzle.
``Backstreet Boys: Puzzles In Motion'' features clips of the group's most popular songs and videos, including their recent hits ``We've Got It Going On,'' ``Anywhere For You,'' ``I'll Never Break Your Heart,'' ``Everybody (Backstreet's Back),'' ``All I Have To Give'' and ``I Wanna Be With You.'' Each of the 12 video clips plays six seconds long in a continuous loop, challenging the player to put the video puzzle back together while the video plays against a running clock.
Additionally, the game offers three puzzle variations with three levels of difficulty for a total of 117 options to play. Plus, for Backstreet Boys fanatics, a ``Super Puzzle Challenge'' which can only be played after the 12 puzzle clips have been solved.
About Ravensburger Interactive Media
Ravensburger Interactive Media GmbH, Germany, is a publisher of CD-ROMs for children, teenagers and adults, and currently has a library of 60 titles, 27 of which are Ravensburger's own productions. Ravensburger Interactive Media was first established in 1996, and has since become the fastest growing corporation in the Ravensburger AG family of companies. The mission of Ravensburger Interactive Media is to create intelligent, non-violent entertainment.
``Puzzles In Motion'' won the Milia d'Or award in Cannes, France in 1998 which recognizes the best in interactive media products. Since being honored with the award, ``Puzzles In Motion'' has sparked an international craze to license the game. The game has since been adapted for various markets worldwide, in 12 different languages.
About Determined Productions
Determined Productions is a widely known and respected international design, product development, manufacturing and licensing company that has provided quality and innovative product in the gift, toy and promotional markets for 40 years. Determined became one of the first character merchandising companies when it introduced Snoopy and the Peanuts gang to toy and gift consumers in 1961 and continued the trend with other high profile licenses including Felix the Cat, the Beatles, the Wild Things and many more.
Determined has been a pioneer in developing cause-related merchandise beginning in 1983 with The World Wildlife Fund, followed by product lines for UNICEF, The Humane Society of the United States and the American Library Association. All Determined products are individually designed and manufactured to the client's specifications.
Determined has headquarters in San Francisco with full-service locations in Santa Monica, Calif., Hong Kong, Tokyo, Seoul, Taiwan, London and Munich.
About Enteractive Distribution Company LLC
Enteractive Distribution is a leading publisher of entertainment, lifestyle, educational, reference and utility software. ``Backstreet Boys: Puzzles in Motion'' joins a strong collection of Enteractive celebrity CD-ROM products that includes ``Richie Sambora: Interactive Guitar,'' ``Jean-Michel Cousteau's Cities Under the Sea'' and ``Reel Women,'' hosted by Jody Foster.
