High stakes poker is reaching new heights with the release of World Series of Poker: Tournament of Champions, the follow-up to 2005’s top-selling poker video game from Activision, Inc.. Building on the success of its predecessor, the all-new poker game features more than 20 top pros, gives players access to extensive poker tools that will help them improve their game, and includes DigiMask Technology that actually maps a player’s face into the game.
“World Series of Poker: Tournament of Champions immerses players in the real world lifestyle of a poker pro from rubbing shoulders with celebrities to competing in the world’s most prestigious events – including the Tournament of Champions,” said Dave Oxford, Activision Publishing, Inc. “Players will use a combination of skill and strategy to propel their career to the top of the leader boards.”
"Just like our tournament continues to get bigger and better, Activision has radically raised the bar with this game," said Ty Stewart, Director of Sports and Entertainment Marketing for Harrah's Entertainment. "Poker has been in video format for some time, but never has there been a sensory experience like this that replicates what it is like to walk in the shoes of a professional poker player."
World Series of Poker: Tournament of Champions features an immersive storyline that casts players as a newly turned poker pro building his career under the tutelage of Chris “Jesus” Ferguson, one of the world’s foremost poker pros and winner of five World Series of Poker championship bracelets. Gamers advance their career by competing against top pros and celebrities like Joseph Hachem, Phil “Unabomber” Laak and Jennifer Tilly in premiere Circuit Events with the goal of qualifying for the Tournament of Champions, a winner-take-all, invitation-only event held at the Rio All-Suite Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas. World Series of Poker: Tournament of Champions also features commentary from Norman Chad and Lon McEachern, the popular commentators of the World Series of Poker broadcast on television.
The Xbox 360 version of the game features DigiMask facial mapping technology, which allows players to map their face directly onto their in-game character. In addition, expanded LIVE! and online capabilities offer multi-table tournaments for the hottest poker action and the ability to actually read opponent’s tells with Vision and EyeToy camera peripherals.
World Series of Poker: Tournament of Champions is available for the PlayStation 2 computer entertainment system, the Xbox 360 video game system from Microsoft, the PSP (PlayStation Portable) system and the PC. The game has been rated “T” (“Teen”) by the ESRB and is available for a suggested retail price of $39.99 for Xbox 360, $29.99 for Playstation2 and PSP, and $19.99 for PC.
