November 21^st, 2002 (12:00am) - Dead to Rights, Namco’s first M-rated game and biggest US-developed project to date, is now available with all new features for the PlayStation 2 and Nintendo GameCube. Since the game’s release in late August on the Xbox, Dead to Rights has received rave reviews, has consistently been a top five rental, and is heralded as one of the most popular games of the year. Dead to Rights combines Hong Kong action movie special effects with the intense drama of crime thrillers and classic film noir style to create a first-ever "Action Noir" game genre.

Introducing new video game star Jack Slate, Dead to Rights takes place in Grant City, USA -- the hardest place on Earth. Slate is a good cop in a bad town, forced to be a fugitive after being framed for murder while investigating the mysterious death of his father.

New features on the PlayStation 2 and Nintendo GameCube versions include: faster and more furious attack combinations for Jack Slate; increased access to unlocking the game’s wide array of over-the-top disarm sequences; invert camera options allow players to customize camera controls; mini-games are easier while some have been made optional; new skill levels provide a uniquely tuned experience for all gaming levels; and for the first time, cheat codes are accessible.

"The success of Dead to Rights is proof that gamers want a sophisticated, mature video game experience that keeps them challenged play after play," said Stacey Hirata, Marketing Director for Namco Hometek. "We are excited to offer Dead to Rights to PlayStation 2 and Nintendo GameCube players."

According to the Interactive Digital Software Association, about 145 million people in the U.S. play computer and video games, and the average age of a game player is 28 years old. Video games have become one of the most popular forms of entertainment. In fact, market research firm NPD, reported that in 2001, total U.S. sales of games and game related hardware reached $9.4 billion, compared to total domestic box office receipts for Hollywood movies of $8.4 billion.

Namco approached making Dead to Rights much like producing a movie, first enlisting screenwriter Flint Dille (G. I. Joe television show and Transformers television show and movie) to develop the plot and deliver the working script. For music, they recruited movie composer Kevin Manthei whose credits include Resident Evil and Scary Movie 2. For realistic sound effects and design, GDH Digital (Star Trek Babylon 5) and Weddington Productions (Raiders of the Lost Ark, Robocop) were brought in. Smashcut (The Matrix, Fight Club) was hired for motion capture effects and stunts.

Dead to Rights was in development for over two years, with a production team of more than 50 artists, designers and programmers. This team, constituting Namco’s biggest U.S.-developed project to date, was passionate about proving that movie-quality action, a compelling storyline and an appealing hero can be made interactive in a mature video game.

"We wanted to create a video game like no other, infusing elements from our favorite movies and allowing players to make discoveries each time they play," said Andre Emerson, Namco senior producer. "Dead to Rights was designed with great depth and detail, and the result is an intense and adult experience that can’t really be described within existing game genres."