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Eidos Announces Music Partnerships for Backyard Wrestling, the ICP! - PS2, Xbox

27th February 2003, 6:50pm
Eidos Interactive, one of the world's leading publishers and developers of entertainment software, announces an exciting partnership with multi-platinum recording artists the Insane Clown Posse (ICP) and Psychopathic Records for the forthcoming video game Backyard Wrestling.

The partnership allows Eidos usage of ICP songs for the in-game soundtrack and multiple marketing co-opportunities at ICP concerts and Juggalo Championship Wrestling (JCW) events in addition to events at retail. Gamers will be able to unlock exclusive ICP content on the game disc as well as play as ICP's lead-singers Violent J and Shaggy 2 Dope in the game.

"Eidos Interactive is pleased to announce this partnership with ICP and Psychopathic Records," says Kevin Gill, senior product manager at Eidos. "We feel that ICP and the superstars of Juggalo Championship Wrestling are the perfect fit for the hardcore game experience that Backyard Wrestling will deliver on the PS2 and Xbox."

ICP may be more infamous than famous, but the band has made quite a mark on music history and on the lives of the millions of fans (Juggalos) that follow their music and message. ICP are responsible for one of the longest running records in Billboard Top 200 history, a full length motion picture: Big Money Hustlas, the second highest grossing wrestling organization in the U.S. Juggalo Championship Wrestling (JCW), a career in the WWF, WCW, and ECW, and Psychopathic Records, the self-owned record label behind it all.

"This is the final piece of the puzzle for Juggalo world domination. We've conquered every form of media and entertainment that exists, and now by partnering with Eidos we're taking over the world of video games as well," says Violent J of ICP. "Consider this your official notice."

"We're totally geeked to be a part of the Backyard Wrestling video game, along with the stars of Juggalo Championship Wrestling. This is a dream come true," adds Shaggy 2 Dope.

Psychopathic Records, the successful, Detroit-based record label is home to such cutting-edge artists as The Insane Clown Posse, Twiztid, Blaze Ya Dead Homie, Anybody Killa, Esham and Zug Island. Psychopathic Records will delve deep into the vaults of their ten-year history, partnering with Eidos Interactive to contribute several select tracks for the in-game soundtrack.

"We are very excited to have the opportunity to participate in this melding of entertainment genres," says Alex Abbis, ceo of Psychopathic Records. "Backyard Wrestling is the perfect fit for the Insane Clown Posse and JCW."

Backyard Wrestling places you in the role of an aspiring wrestler. You must be prepared to endure extreme amounts of pain and take incredible risks in order to move one step closer to the BYW title and ultimately be crowned 'The King of Hardcore'. The game will be released this summer on PlayStation 2 and Xbox.
by Greg Laspatzis
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