Square Enix to distribute Dead Island in North and South America (updated)

by: Chuck - posted: 5/4/2011 8:43:00 AM

In one of the moves that only hard core industry analysts and gamers care about, the folks at Deep Silver have announced that they are bringing in Square Enix to handle the distribution duties for Dead Island in North and South America. It's a bit odd for one publisher to bring in another publisher to handle something like this but given all the buzz around the game it's no wonder they are bringing in a heavy hitter to help get the word out about the game. 

Update (Chuck) - It turns out that Deep Silver is still publishing the title while Square is handling the distribution duties (selling it to retail and handling the marketing).  Apologies for any confusion.

Update (Chuck) - Ben Kuchera over at Ars has the full scoop on why Deep Silver brought Square in if you're interested.

Deep Silver and Square Enix Team Up for Dead Island™ Distribution in North and South America

LARKSPUR, CA – May 3, 2011 - Deep Silver and Square Enix, Inc. announced today a collaboration in which Square Enix will be the Americas region distributor for Dead Island™, the highly anticipated zombie action game with role-playing elements for the Xbox 360® video game and entertainment system from Microsoft®, PlayStation®3 computer entertainment system and Windows-based PCs.

“Square Enix’s impressive distribution and marketing capabilities, combined with their proven success with launching top-notch AAA titles, makes them the absolute best partner for Dead Island,” said Deep Silver Chief Operating Officer Geoff Mulligan. “We’re thrilled to be partnering with their dedicated and talented team and look forward to collaborating with them in order to bring Dead Island to gamers.”

Developed by Techland, Dead Island combines first-person action with a heavy focus on melee combat, character development and customization of a vast array of weapons. The engaging survival-focused gameplay aspects are combined with a rich and immersive storyline in which a small group of people find themselves in a tropical paradise turned into total chaos and carnage after a mysterious zombie outbreak. Cut off from the rest of the world, the player’s only chance to survive is to fight to the death and find a way to escape from the island.

With firearms and ammunition being scarce, the player must utilize day-to-day items as weapons for self-defense to fight off zombie hordes in intense, gruesome melee combat. Featuring four customizable, unique character classes and engrossing role-playing elements combined with an intense four player co-op experience, Dead Island stands out as one of the most comprehensive zombie experiences to date.

"Dead Island is a truly extraordinary title and we couldn’t be more excited about leveraging our unified Square Enix resources in bringing it to audiences in the Americas." said Mike Fischer, president and chief executive officer, Square Enix, Inc.

Dead Island will be released for Xbox 360, the PlayStation®3 computer entertainment system and Windows PC later this year.

Official website: http://www.deadisland.com

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/deadislandgame

Twitter: @deadislandgame

About Deep Silver, Inc.

Deep Silver develops and publishes interactive games for all platforms, seeking to deliver top-quality products that provide immersive game experiences driven by the desires of the gaming community. The company has published more than 100 games worldwide since 2003 and is currently working on the launch of its highly-anticipated zombie action thriller, Dead Island™. Deep Silver, Inc. is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Koch Media, GmbH. For more information, please visit www.deepsilver.com.

About Techland

Techland is a leading Polish developer, publisher and distributor of PC and console games since 1991. Its proprietary Chrome Engine 5 technology is among the world's most advanced game engines, with full Xbox 360®, PC and PlayStation®3 system compatibility. With a staff of nearly 200 specialists in two development offices in Wroclaw and Warsaw, Techland is committed to delivering top-quality titles for worldwide markets. Currently the company is working on several high-profile titles for consoles and PCs.

About Square Enix, Inc.

Square Enix, Inc. develops, publishes, distributes and licenses SQUARE ENIX®, EIDOS® and TAITO® branded entertainment content throughout the Americas as part of the Square Enix Group. The Square Enix Group operates a global network of leading development studios and boasts a valuable portfolio of intellectual property, including: FINAL FANTASY®, which has sold over 97 million units worldwide; DRAGON QUEST®, which has sold over 57 million units worldwide; TOMB RAIDER®, which has sold over 35 million units worldwide; and the legendary SPACE INVADERS®. Square Enix, Inc. is a U.S.-based, wholly-owned subsidiary of Square Enix Holdings Co., Ltd.

More information on Square Enix, Inc. can be found at http://www.square-enix.com/na.