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Pueblo, Colo. (August 31, 2016) – PBR (Professional Bull Riders) and Rare Labs, a leading software development firm, game developer and producer, today announced the release of 8 to Glory, a new mobile game for fans of the fast-growing sport of professional bull riding.
8 to Glory, which is available now for iOS and Android devices as a free download, features more than 30 of the top PBR athletes as well as dozens of leading PBR bulls, including Jared Allen’s Air Time and Magic Train. Allen, a former NFL star who owns some of the rankest bulls competing in the PBR, came up with the concept for the game, and is the driving force behind 8 to Glory. He will help market and promote the game as one of professional bull riding’s most ardent supporters.
Gamers can play individually or compete against fans around the world. Additionally, they can ride random bulls or purchase digital card packs which unlock the ability to play different riders and bulls as well as booster packs offering upgrades for the riders in their toughest match-ups.
“We’ve worked closely with Jared Allen and the team at Rare Labs to create a realistic mobile game featuring our top bull riders and bulls, which allows fans to compete throughout the PBR season,” said PBR CEO Sean Gleason. “8 to Glory is a fun way for PBR fans to connect with our athletes and the sport while competing for bragging rights as the best cyber cowboy.”
“8 to Glory is a phenomenal way for professional bull riding to expand its borders,” said Jared Allen, founder and head of Jared Allen’s Pro Bull Team. “The game gives PBR fans an interactive way to be more connected. It’s also a cool way to get the younger generation educated and involved in the sport.”
Following the initial launch, PBR plans to tie game usage to its PBR Rewards program, offering discounts on tickets and merchandise as well as other offers.
8 to Glory, the official bull riding game of the PBR, features more than 30 top riders including Kaique Pacheco, Jess Lockwood, Derek Kolbaba, Ryan Dirteater, Tanner Byrne, Fabiano Vieira, Joao Ricardo Vieira, Mike Lee, and more. Additional riders including J. B. Mauney, Cooper Davis, and Silvano Alves will be added to future game releases. The game includes more than 30 rank bulls to master, including Bushwacker, coming out of retirement, along with Air Time, Asteroid, Bruiser, Long John, After Party, Magic Train, and other top bovine athletes.
Game Features:
- Avatars of the world’s top professional bull riders built on 3D models created from scans of the actual riders
- Collectible rider and bull cards that are unlocked to play in-game
- Campaign allowing gamers to follow the PBR across the country to the World Finals in Las Vegas
- Arcade mode letting users try a random bull and rider for the high score
- Fast controls and feedback that let gamers position themselves in real-time as the bulls buck and kick with realistic physics
- Leaderboards allowing users to compete against friends and players around the world for bragging rights as 8 to Glory Champion
- Real input from professional bull riders and bull owners for accurate scoring and realistic rides
- In-game Buckles to memorialize gamer achievements
About Rare Labs
Rare Labs is based in Scottsdale, AZ, and works as an external technology R&D division for multiple companies in the Southwest. The firm employs a variety of specialists in software development, product management, creative design, systems integration, project management and business strategy to give partners a complete solution in a single company. Rare Labs has the goal of being the go-to provider of technology development for companies that need custom solutions which provide a strategic advantage in their respective markets. For the games industry, the Rare Labs team has worked on more than 590 games over the past 20 years for companies including Electronic Arts, Ubisoft, and Sony Online Entertainment. Rare Labs, a Rarity Investments company, has the ability to scale its local development capabilities to meet the needs of the market. For more information, visit: www.rarelabs.io
About Professional Bull Riders
The world’s premier bull riding organization began as a dream of 20 bull riders 23 years ago and is now a global sports phenomenon. On its elite Built Ford Tough Series, the PBR features the top 35 bull riders in the world and the top bulls in the business. The televised Built Ford Tough Series, the BlueDEF Tour, the Touring Pro Division and the PBR’s international circuits in Australia, Brazil, Canada and Mexico have paid more than $150 million in earnings to its athletes. In May 2015, PBR was acquired by WME | IMG, a global leader in entertainment, sports and fashion. For more information on the PBR, go to PBR.com, or follow on Facebook at Facebook.com/PBR, Twitter at Twitter.com/PBR, and YouTube at YouTube.com/PBR.
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