Downloadable Content Brings Show’s Iconic Characters to Popular Open World Sandbox Game

REDMOND, Wash – January 15, 2015 – Minecraft players can soon bring the characters of Springfield to life in fully-textured, cubic glory when Twentieth Century Fox Consumer Products and Xbox launch THE SIMPSONS content packs for Minecraft Xbox 360 and Xbox One editions. Scheduled for release in late February 2015, the downloadable pack will include the entire Simpsons family—Homer, Marge, Bart, Lisa and Maggie— plus 19 of Springfield Elementary School’s beloved characters from the Emmy Award-winning animated show and the longest-running scripted show in television history.

“We have an active community of more than 17 million die-hard Minecrafters on Xbox Live enjoying the wide range of downloadable content on Xbox, and they have been clamoring for us to bring Simpsons characters to the game,” said Phil Spencer, Head of Xbox.  “We are thrilled to partner with Twentieth Century Fox and Gracie Films to bring THE SIMPSONS to life on Minecraft Xbox 360 and Xbox One editions.  I can’t wait to see what the community creates.”

“Like THE SIMPSONS, Minecraft is a true cultural phenomenon embraced by people of all ages, from every corner of the globe,” said Roz Nowicki, executive vice president of global sales and retail for Twentieth Century Fox Consumer Products. “We know fans of the show will have a ton of fun bringing the colorful characters of Springfield into the intricate worlds they’ve been building in Minecraft.”

Minecraft is one of the most popular video games in history, with over 100 million downloads since its launch in 2009.  Minecraft’s THE SIMPSONS downloadable content pack for Xbox will release in late February for $1.99 USD on Xbox 360 and Xbox One. Stay tuned for more information on THE SIMPSONS downloadable content pack on other platforms.

###

About Xbox

Xbox is Microsoft’s premier entertainment brand for the TV, phone, PC and tablet. In living rooms or on the go, Xbox is home to the best and broadest games, as well as one of the world’s largest libraries of movies, TV, music, and sports. Your favorite games, TV and entertainment come to life in new ways through the power of Kinect, Xbox SmartGlass, and Xbox Live, the world’s premier social entertainment network. More information about Xbox can be found online at http://www.xbox.com.

About Microsoft

Founded in 1975, Microsoft (Nasdaq “MSFT”) is the worldwide leader in software, services, devices and solutions that help people and businesses realize their full potential.

About THE SIMPSONS

The longest-running scripted show in television history, THE SIMPSONS exploded into a cultural phenomenon in 1990 and has remained one of the most groundbreaking and innovative entertainment franchises, recognizable throughout the world. Currently airing its record-annihilating 26th season, THE SIMPSONS has won 31 Emmy Awards was nominated for an Academy Award in 2012 for the theatrical short “The Longest Daycare.”  They have been the subject of a hit feature film, created a revolutionary virtual coaster ride at Universal Studios, received a Star on The Hollywood Walk of Fame and been honored with five U.S. postal stamps personally designed by Matt Groening.  Named the “Best Show of the 20^th Century” by Time Magazine, THE SIMPSONS was also named “Greatest American Sitcom” by Entertainment Weekly in 2013.

THE SIMPSONS is a Gracie Films Production in association with 20^th Century Fox Television. James L. Brooks, Matt Groening, and Al Jean are the Executive Producers. The Gracie Films Worldwide Brand Division develops and produces the licensed content for the series. Film Roman, a Starz Company, is the animation house.

About TWENTIETH CENTURY FOX CONSUMER PRODUCTS

A division 21st Century Fox and recognized industry leader, Twentieth Century Fox Consumer Products licenses and markets properties worldwide on behalf of Twentieth Century Fox Film Corporation, Twentieth Century Fox Television and Fox Broadcasting Company, as well as third party lines. The division is aligned with Twentieth Century Fox Television, the flagship studio leading the industry in supplying award-winning and blockbuster primetime television programming and entertainment content.