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Digital Media FX News Archives

Thursday - August 23, 2001
- CyberWorld 3D Fails to Win Audiences
- Cartoon Network Worldwide Gets New Executive VP
- Interplay Announces Galleon: Islands of Mystery
- News Link of the Day - Simpsons Season has Celeb Spots, Pot

CyberWorld 3D Fails to Win Audiences
(by digitalmediafx.com) CyberWorld 3D has been playing in IMAX theaters for over 45 weeks and only has $9.8 million to show for the effort. In comparison, Fantasia 2000, which was in IMAX theaters for only three weeks, grossed over $60 million.

Because of the failure of movies like CyberWorld 3D, IMAX has suffered many financial setbacks and is now pinning most of its hopes on Disney with the January 1, 2002 release of Beauty and the Beast (moved up from the originally announced March 8, 2002 release).

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Cartoon Network Worldwide Gets New Executive VP
(by digitalmediafx.com) The Cartoon Network Worldwide has named Jim Samples as its new executive vice president and general manager. The move is a promotion from Samples former position as general manager of Cartoon Network online.

Samples new responsibilities will include overseeing all operations, creative direction, brand marketing and programming strategy for Cartoon Network U.S.; and Boomerang, an all animation cable service that features classic Hanna-Barbera cartoons and other all-time favorites; as well as programming strategies and brand marketing for four regional entertainment networks of Turner Entertainment Networks International (TENI): Cartoon Network Asia Pacific, Cartoon Network Europe, Cartoon Network Latin America & Caribbean and Cartoon Network Japan.

In a surprise move, Samples will, in addition, continue his oversight of Cartoon Network Online. Also under Samples' direction will be Cartoon Network Studios, a 45,000-square-foot independent production facility in Burbank, Calif.

"In less than 10 years, Cartoon Network has grown from a start-up domestic cable channel to a dominant global brand, reaching millions worldwide not just through a television screen but also online, through consumer products and, soon, in movie theaters," said Bradley Siegel, president of Turner Entertainment Networks. "As we move forward, expanding the Cartoon Network brand internationally and extending it across multiple platforms will be a primary focus. Jim's superior management skills, unique and varied business background and extensive international experience with the brand will help drive Cartoon Network to new heights."

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Interplay Announces Galleon: Islands of Mystery
(by digitalmediafx.com) The creator of Lara Croft is about to bring a new hero to the video game medium. This Winter, Interplay will release Galleon: Island of Mystery, featuring a hero named Rhama Sabrier, to the Nintendo GameCube platform.

Set in an age of treacherous sea voyages, magic and adventure, Galleon: Islands of Mystery immerses players in a mysterious world alive with invincible warriors and major battles. As Captain Rhama, players embark on a quest that takes them from the bustling port of Akbah to islands populated with giant monsters, evil slave lords and damsels in distress in an adventure of intrigue, magic, love, obsession and revenge. As he races against time, Rhama must locate an ancient artifact capable of unlimited power and unimaginable destruction -- and do all he can to prevent it from falling into the wrong hands.

"We wanted to beat what was going on in Tomb Raider in every conceivable way," stated Toby Gard, Managing Director of Confounding Factor which is producing the game under the Interplay banner. "In Galleon, the characters are more fleshed-out, the animation is fluid and natural, and the puzzles are integrated into an immersive, mesmerizing story."

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News Link of the Day - Simpsons Season has Celeb Spots, Pot

According to The Seattle Times:

"This fall on Fox's The Simpsons Homer will be partaking in the weed. That's right, the animated series will be giving the doughnut-obsessed, TV-watching, often-napping father a marijuana habit...

In addition, The Simpsons will also poke fun with parodies of the Harry Potter books and movies Erin Brockovich and 2001: A Space Odyssey, according to executive producer Al Jean..."

Click here for the full story.

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