Narcos: Rise of the Cartels (PC/PS4/XB1/NSW) - November 19, 2019

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Developed by Kuju Entertainment (Marvel: Ultimate Alliance/Art Academy series)

Curve Digital, the fast-growing UK games publisher, has signed a deal with Gaumont, the oldest film company in the world and producer of Narcos, to produce a video game based on the Golden Globe and Emmy award-nominated television series.

Currently in production for season 4, Narcos chronicles the true-life rise to power of drug lords and the explosion of cocaine trafficking in the world. Narcos continues to grow in popularity around the world, with season 3 premiering as the most in-demand digital original in the U.S. and one of the top five worldwide according to Parrot Analytics. Available for viewing on the world’s most popular streaming service, Netflix, the show is currently available in over 130 countries.

The agreement with Curve Digital was brokered by Evolution USA, Gaumont's global licensing agency, assisted by licensing agent Simon Kay at AT New Media.

“Narcos is a fantastic license for us to work with,” said Curve Digital MD Jason Perkins. “This critically acclaimed show from Gaumont lends itself perfectly to a video game execution and we’re excited and proud to be bringing this to market.”

The Narcos game is being developed by Curve Digital’s sister company, Kuju. Head of Studio Brynley Gibson offered: “We’re looking forward to creating a game that matches the fantastic storyline and gritty action of the Netflix series. We’re tremendously excited and have some amazing gameplay elements in the works that will please both fans of the show and gamers.”

“Curve Digital is a world leading video game publisher and we trust them to develop and create our first Narcos console game title that will thrill our millions of Narcos fans, allowing them to engage with the storylines and characters they have come to know over the past three seasons,” added Tim Stephen, Head of Legal and Business Affairs at Gaumont.

The announcement of the Narcos game comes as Curve Digital is enjoying its biggest hit to date with Human: Fall Flat which has accrued over three million global sales.

The Narcos video game will be released on all major formats in Spring 2019.

http://www.curve-digital.com/en-gb/g...ail/38/narcos/
http://www.kuju.com/
http://www.curve-digital.com/

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Development Team Leaders revealed

Si Donbavand is joining as Senior Producer to lead the project. Having worked in the games industry since 1996, Donbavand is a seasoned developer, having worked at some of the UK’s best-known studios, including stints at the BBC and as group development director at SCEE.

Prior to this he was heading up the production for Fabrik as well as working with FireSprite in Liverpool. Over the years he has worked on many well known games games such as the MotorStorm franchise, Battlefield: Modern Combat and Filthy Lucre, to name just a few.

Matt Startin comes on board as Art Director, boasting over 20 years’ experience making games for the likes of 343, Ubisoft, Disney, EA, Sega amongst others. As well as art direction, Startin specialises in UI and UX, having recently completed Halo Wars 2 for 343 as Lead UI at Creative Assembly.

Finally, Gav Skinner has joined to lead the project’s design. He boasts extensive experience earnt over two decades at some of the great UK studios, including CA, Rockstar, Sony and Lionhead. Skinner brings his creative and technical skills to the project, honed on AAA titles such as Halo Wars 2, VR Worlds, Red Dead Redemption 2 and the Fable franchise.

“It is great to have been able to attract such talented developers to Kuju at this time of growth for the studio,” said Kuju’s Head of Studios Brynley Gibson. “Si, Matt and Gav bring new skills and boast a ridiculously high quality back catalogue of games. Developers like this joining our growing team will help us make a truly kick ass game with the Narcos IP.”

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Tactical Turn-Based Action Adventure

Publisher Curve Digital, in collaboration with Gaumont and developer Kuju, announced today, the Q3 2019 release of Narcos: Rise of the Cartels, a new game for PC’s and consoles based on Gaumont’s Emmy and Golden Globe nominated hit series, Narcos. A newly launched teaser trailer reveals that Narcos: Rise of the Cartels will follow the events of the first season of Narcos, in a story narrated by El Patron himself, where players will take the role of the Medellin Cartel or the DEA in a tactical turn-based action adventure.

“Narcos: Rise of the Cartels is a hugely exciting prospect for us,” said Rosemary Buahin, Marketing Director of Curve Digital. “We love the show and have ensured that our game stays true to the source material, from the locations, to the characters, the clothes, the iconic music and more. We think that the action-packed, turn-based strategy gameplay lends itself perfectly to the world of Narcos.”

“Curve Digital and Kuju have taken a deep dive into the phenomenon that is Narcos and how it’s incredible stories are told to give fans an authentic experience to interact with the brand,” said Tim Stephen, Head of Business and Legal Affairs, Gaumont. “From the frantic action that comes from acting as a DEA agent or a Cartel leader, Narcos: Rise of the Cartels gives players the thrilling sensation of being the hunter or hunted as they delve into the minutiae of each operation.”

“Working with the Narcos licence has been an incredible experience so far for the team at Kuju,” said Matt White, Head of Studio at Kuju. “As creators, having such an evocative and multi-layered world to play around in gives us the ability to tell incredible stories and create awesome gameplay opportunities. We are incredibly proud of Narcos: Rise of the Cartels and hope that it will resonate with fans of the series and of the turn-based tactical genre.”

Curve Digital is the publisher of Narcos: Rise of the Cartels, developed by sister company Kuju with the Unreal Engine. Curve Digital secured video rights to develop the first video game based on Narcos earlier this year. The deal was brokered by Evolution USA, LLC on behalf of Gaumont.

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Narcos: Rise of the Cartels allows players to relive the events of the first season, taking the side of either the Medellin Cartel or the DEA in two distinct campaigns. In 1980’s Colombia El Patron’s influence is rapidly expanding, with drugs, corruption and crime spreading out from the Colombian town of Medellin. America is now starting to take notice. Do you help the Narcos’ drug empire rise to the top under the watchful eye of El Patron, or topple the growing criminal enterprise alongside Steve Murphy as the DEA?

Based on the hit Netflix series from production company, Gaumont, Narcos: Rise of the Cartels features iconic locations and characters from the show, offering players the chance to step into the criminal underworld alongside characters such as El Mexicano, Murphy, Peña, Primo and more – each with their own unique gameplay abilities and perks to help turn the tide of battle. Explore familiar scenery from the show and take a pivotal role in world-altering events that will define and shift the war on drugs.

Fans of turn-based strategy will experience an exhilarating new take on the genre, with units on both sides moving simultaneously and with innovative new mechanics that allow players to take direct third-person command over their units in critical moments. Form your team from a variety of class-specific roles, upgrade your skills and join leading characters on the path to dominance, but beware – your actions will have lasting consequences.

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