Big Idea Productions and ValuSoft Bring the Animated VeggieTales Characters to Life in the Mystery of Veggie Island

Business Wire, June 3, 2002

Entertainment Editors & Technology/Multimedia/Lifestyle Writers

CHICAGO--(ENTERTAINMENT WIRE)--June 3, 2002

Popular VeggieTales(R) Characters Star in First Interactive PC Game

Big Idea Productions, creators of the best-selling direct-to-video VeggieTales(R) children's series, and ValuSoft(R), a leading global publisher and distributor of interactive entertainment and productivity software, have teamed up to bring the trademark silliness and original stories of VeggieTales to children of all ages with the release of The Mystery of Veggie Island interactive PC game.

Based on the delightfully wacky VeggieTales video characters, this adventure game has players joining the veggie kids on a Cub Sprout camping trip on Veggie Island. Assisted by Bob the Tomato and Larry the Cucumber, kids will help Junior Asparagus earn his merit badges. But that's just the beginning! When the Veggies find themselves stranded on the island, it's up to the player to help them find a way home.

Kids will explore their new interactive world completing 10 hilarious, challenging activities, sing along with 10 brand new "Silly Campfire Songs with Larry" and even learn the secret of the Island's legendary pirate! Just when players think they'll get off the island, the allure of the treasure's wealth will threaten to strand them forever. In a crazy turn of events, kids will be faced with the dilemma of helping others even when they aren't kind to us.

The Mystery of Veggie Island incorporates a unique feature called the Parental Egg Timer. Parents can now control how long their kids play with Bob, Larry and the Cub Sprouts by setting the game play timer in the start-up menu. When time's up, the game automatically saves and ends the VeggieTales fun.

"Software is such a great way for us to help parents instill values in their children, all while surrounding it with fun and games," states Phil Vischer, CEO and Chief Creative Officer at Big Idea Productions. "With this added feature to our software, we can give parents a tool that lets them limit the time their children spend on the computer, ensuring they spend time outside of media - just playing and running around!"

The first VeggieTales interactive adventure game, The Mystery of Veggie Island, will ship to retailers on August 22, 2002 and will be available for $19.99 SRP. The second game, Jonah: A VeggieTales Game, based on Big Idea's all-new theatrical feature film Jonah - A VeggieTales Movie, will be available for $19.99 and release on October 1, 2002, surrounding the film's premier. The third VeggieTales CD-ROM game, VeggieTales Carnival, will ship October 5, 2002 for a suggested retail price of $9.99.

"The Mystery of Veggie Island brings to life all of the best elements of VeggieTales--lively animated 3D characters and 10 new Silly Songs, with colorful, engaging activities," says Scott Zerby, President of ValuSoft. "Interactive games have become one of the biggest influences on children today. This is an important and unique opportunity for us to maximize our retail distribution to allow these endearing characters and healthy messages to connect with kids on a whole new level."

About Big Idea Productions

Big Idea Productions is a family media company committed to providing entertaining stories that help parents teach children important life lessons in a delightfully wacky way. Based in the Chicago area, Big Idea Productions is best known for its award-winning VeggieTales animated series which has sold over 30 million videos and over 3 million albums of chart-topping audio since 1993. In addition to extending the property into licensing, publishing and live entertainment arenas, the Company is currently in production on their first-ever feature film, Jonah - A VeggieTales Movie. Big Idea is recognized as the leading producer and creator of values-based product grounded in a Judeo-Christian worldview in the family entertainment industry.

About ValuSoft

ValuSoft, Inc., is a leading global publisher and distributor of consumer-priced software. Based in suburban Minneapolis, MN, ValuSoft markets a wide variety of interactive entertainment and productivity software to the mass-market audience. ValuSoft can be found on online at http://www.valusoft.com.

All brand and product names are trademarks and registered trademarks of their respective holders.