SAN FRANCISCO, CA ” NOVEMBER 12, 2009 ” Today Ubisoft announced it has teamed up with the ASPCA® (The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals®), and Honor Society, a New York based pop band, to celebrate the launch of the new Petz® games with Sharing and Caring Month. In support of ASPCA’s mission to teach kids about kindness to animals, the Petz video games for the Nintendo DS™ system, including Petz Nursery, will allow young players to care for and bond with a variety of virtual “petz.” For the first time, the Petz video games series will allow players to send and share their virtual petz via wireless interconnectivity between the new Petz games. Owners of the Petz video game series can also share their petz on UbiWorld (ubiworld.com), Ubisoft’s online extension for the Petz® video game brand.
The Petz Caring portion of the program will feature the ASPCA in the Petz Cause House on UbiWorld. Inside the virtual Petz Cause House, kids and their parents can play a variety of Petz mini-games and earn “pointz” to show their support for the ASPCA in protecting animals. Beginning today through January 4, 2010, the total number of pointz that visitors earn will be announced weekly in the Cause House explaining to kids how the accumulated points could help animals. To further support teaching kids about responsible pet care, Ubisoft’s Petz will donate funds directly to the ASPCA.
“The ASPCA is excited to work with Ubisoft to help raise awareness about responsible pet care through this program,” said Elysia Howard, Vice President of Marketing & Licensing for the ASPCA. “We are grateful to be able to teach kids about the importance of saving animals from cruelty and caring for animals responsibly.”
In addition to the ASPCA partnership, Ubisoft has also teamed up with one of the most talked about bands of 2009, Honor Society. Honor Society’s first album Fashionably Late on Hollywood Records (Disney Music Group), debuted on September 15 and the band is currently headlining their own tour, Full Moon Crazy. Honor Society’s love for pets has encouraged them to get involved with the Petz Sharing and Caring program. Honor Society will help spread awareness to their fans, kids and parents on the importance of caring and nurturing for animals.
“Ubisoft is extremely proud to celebrate both the launch of new Petz games, as well as Sharing and Caring Month, with a respected animal welfare organization and an up-and-coming new band,” said Tony Key, senior vice president of sales and marketing at Ubisoft. “This program marks the first time that Ubisoft has promoted the new Petz video games in partnership with the ASPCA to help raise awareness on responsible pet care.”
About Petz
Ubisoft’s Petz line of games allows young players to create and care for cute, furry pets chosen from many different breeds of dogs, cats, horses, hamsters and dolphins. Players can take their pets everywhere within the virtual environment, from inside the house to outside, walking around the neighborhood or visiting friends. The Petz games are designed to entertain and engage players but are also a great way for young players to learn and take care of their own pet.
In 2008, Petz was the number one brand in the pet-simulation games category. The Petz games have sold 19 million units worldwide to date.
Ubisoft’s new pet series include: Petz Nursery, Petz Dogz® Talent Show and Petz Hamsterz® Superstarz, Petz Pony Beauty Pageant and Petz Dolphinz Encounter are rated E for Everyone.
For more information on Petz Sharing and Caring Month and Petz video games, visit ubiworld.com.
For more information on ASPCA®, visit aspca.org
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For more information on Honor Society, visit myspace.com/honorsociety.
