Press Releases
January 7, 2008 - FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
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.
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