For the first time, gamers can play as friends Ron Weasley and Hermione Granger as well as Harry Potter, switching between characters and utilizing their key attributes and skills to resolve challenges and overcome enemies. The three friends need to combine their strengths and master a variety of new spells as they face Harry’s most terrifying opponents yet: the Dementors, dreaded guards of Azkaban prison.
From the opening scene on the Hogwarts Express to the climactic finale on the shore of the great lake at Hogwarts, the Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban videogame immerses players in the magical world of Harry Potter. Players can unravel the mystery surrounding Sirius Black and his escape from the infamous wizard prison Azkaban as they take part in the most exciting and challenging Harry Potter videogame adventure yet. Gamers encounter a host of new characters and creatures, engage in a variety of sub-quests, fly on a Hippogriff, and reveal the secrets of the Marauder’s Map.
In addition, Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban, licensed by Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment, is the first third-party title to fully utilize the EyeToy USB Camera* technology for the PlayStation 2 computer entertainment system. Using this feature, gamers will be able to enjoy a uniquely entertaining Harry Potter experience as the player’s image appears on the television screen via the EyeToy camera. Up to four players can compete in a series of Harry Potter themed games offering hours of fun for the entire family, including Zonko’s Joke Shop, Exploding Snap, Chocolate Frogs, and more. In Play mode, players are sorted by the Sorting Hat, pestered by ghosts (including Peeves), and have to complete chores for Hogwarts caretaker Filch.
Developed by EA’s UK Studio, the team behind the worldwide success of the Harry Potter library of games that have sold more than 20 million copies worldwide, Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban is available for the Sony PlayStation 2 console, the Xbox video game system from Microsoft, Nintendo GameCube, Game Boy Advance, and PC CD-ROM. The game is rated "E" (Everyone) by the ESRB and carries an MSRP of $39.95 for console platforms and $29.95 for PC and Game Boy Advance. The game’s official website is www.harrypotter.ea.com.
*EyeToy technology sold separately.
About Electronic Arts Electronic Arts Inc. (EA), headquartered in Redwood City, California, is the world’s leading interactive entertainment software company. Founded in 1982, EA posted revenues of $2.96 billion for fiscal 2004. The company develops, publishes, and distributes interactive software worldwide for video game systems, personal computers and the Internet. In 2003, EA had 27 titles that sold more than one million copies. Electronic Arts markets its products under three brand names: EA SPORTS, EA GAMES and EA SPORTS BIG. EA's homepage and online game site is www.ea.com. More information about EA’s products and full text of press releases can be found on the Internet at http://info.ea.com.
