Zoo Digital Technology with a market set to grow strongly

DVD-Extra powers new iDVD titles


The latest iDVD interactive DVD (iDVD) title produced using ZOOtech's DVD-Extra technology, Now That’s What I Call A Music Quiz, is already proving to be a popular gift this Christmas.

Launched on 5 December, the game’s creator Circle is reporting that despite 150,000 units being shipped into stores on day one of release, re-orders are already being taken. It is currently at number 4 on Amazon’s Hot 100 UK DVD chart – beating Star Wars Episode III and only just behind Charlie and the Chocolate Factory.

Now That’s What I Call a Music Quiz is Circle’s first foray into the creation of interactive DVD games and features a wealth of original musical assets from the vast catalogue of Virgin/EMI/Universal – who have marketed and distributed the title.

The title is the biggest compilation label in the UK/US music business, having sold over 50 million copies worldwide. CiRCLE’s collaboration with the label is an exclusive profit-sharing agreement with the two ‘NOW’ partners: EMI and Universal Music.

The game itself features advanced interactive technology, single and multi-player modes and three different game-types: ‘Top 20’, ‘Top 40’ and ‘I-Spy’. Over 1500 questions are selected from five different musical decades and three difficulty levels. Tutorial commentary is provided by veteran DJ Mark Goodier and all content originates from Virgin, EMI and Universal’s vast catalogue of musical assets.

Circle’s CEO Jeremy Heath-Smith comments: “We are committed to driving the interactive DVD genre forward through a combination of great properties, high quality and innovative gameplay. Utilising DVD-Extra ensures that we will achieve our goals”.

DVD-Extra technology allows developers to deliver a consumer experience that is akin to interactive TV, the Internet and CD-ROM. An automated, template-driven approach means that Circle has not only been able to develop the product in a significantly reduced timescale, but also deliver an engaging consumer experience that is key to the ongoing success of the iDVD genre.

Jonathan Beardsworth, MD at ZOOtech adds: “The format of the game is a great success. Circle has delivered the content in a way that means the game will be enjoyed time and time again.”

Randomised questions and entertaining gameplay are inherent in the truly interactive titles produced using ZOOtech software – features which Circle will be sure to capitalise on when creating their next iDVD releases, which include titles from The Discovery Channel, Discovery Kids, Europsort, NBA and FIFA/FIFA World Cup.

Interactive DVD titles produced using DVD-Extra are dominating category sales, which is cementing ZOOtech’s position as leaders in the technology that is driving this new retail genre. Leading titles include Who Wants to be a Millionaire – Family Picture edition, Telly Addicts, Bulls Eye, Gary Lineker’s Interactive Football Challenge and Beat the Intro 2.

Story filed 18 December 2005