Topic: Konami Idol

[Karl Castaneda #2]

There's a Raiden joke in there somewhere...

Konami Digital Entertainment Acquires Interactive Game Rights for the Hit Franchise American Idol    

LOS ANGELES--(BUSINESS WIRE)--July 25, 2005-- Leader in Music Video Games To Publish Titles For Current And Next Generation Video Game Systems Based On America's Most Watched Television Show       Konami Digital Entertainment, Inc., today announced a multi-year agreement with FremantleMedia Licensing Worldwide, Americas (FLW, Americas), the U.S. licensing division of FremantleMedia, one of the largest international creators and producers of program brands in the world and the co-producer and licensor of American Idol, that gives the company the exclusive interactive video game rights for American Idol. Pursuant to the agreement, FLW, Americas grants Konami the rights to develop games for current and next generation video game systems based on America's number one television program. The games will be distributed throughout America, Canada and Latin America with more details to be revealed at a later date.    

"Not only is American Idol one of the biggest television programs in the U.S., but its format lends itself perfectly for making compelling video games," said Kazumi Kitaue, Chairman and CEO of Konami Digital Entertainment, Inc. "With Konami's leadership and expertise in music video games and American Idol's popularity and strength as a recognized franchise, this is a powerful synergy that will greatly benefit the consumer."    

American Idol, which just completed its fourth season in May 2005, continues to dominate television ratings and break viewership records. Last season's finale, produced by FremantleMedia and 19TV for the Fox network in the US, saw 30.3 million viewers tune in to watch Carrie Underwood be crowned as the newest American Idol. The debut of American Idol's fifth season will air this fall.    

David Luner, Vice President Licensing for FLW, Americas, added, "The Idols format has already proven itself successful in a variety of categories including electronics, toys & games, wireless and online applications. We look forward to establishing a solid presence in the video games market with an industry leader like Konami."    

As the industry leader in music video games, Konami has a strong line-up of titles that allow gamers to sing, dance, and mix music all in the comfort of their own living rooms. Among its catalog of top music games, Konami publishes the highly-acclaimed singing game Karaoke Revolution and the number one dance game, Dance Dance Revolution. Next year Konami will also release beatmania -- the first-ever DJ simulation game created for the PlayStation(R)2 computer entertainment system.

[dafunkk12]

I hope this doesn't turn Karaoke Revolution into some terrible licensed schlock.

[stevey]

Wasn't there a A I game already and didn't it and was a ddr game.

[Bill Aurion]

Yet another reason for me to hate Konami...Yay!

[nickmitch]

I wonder who'll pick up the much saught at rights to "So you think you can dance?".  

[davidlow122]

Quote
Originally posted by: Bill Aurion
Yet another reason for me to hate Konami...Yay!

Exactly. they were the best developer of all on the SNES (on a volume AND quality basis), but since then they've gone from great to good to patchy to hit and miss to suck.

Where did the developer of Contra 3, Axeley, Cybernator, Sunset Riders, Castlevania, Tiny Toons, Gradius 3 go?

Gradius V is the only great game they;ve done in years, and they had to outsource!

MGS2 and3 sucked so, so hard. They've ruined castlevania and contra (tried to resurrect contra with shattered soldier and STILL missed the mark by screwing the weapon system, the stuffed it all over again with neo contra).

I now HATE konami.

[Nephilim]

"the first-ever DJ simulation game created for the PlayStation(R)2 computer entertainment system."
lets not forget the ps1 version, what 5years ago.....

[KDR_11k]

davidlow: Both Ninja Five-O and Castlevania: Aria of Sorrow rule!