Second Charles video game app released

Published 3:42 pm Thursday, October 20, 2016

Jamaal Charles and Super Mario have one thing in common: They are title characters in a series of video games.

England-based Distinctive Games has released a follow-up to the original “Football Unleashed: Jamaal Charles” app. “Football Unleashed 17 Jamaal Charles” stars the Port Arthur native and Kansas City Chiefs running back in 5-on-5 action and is available for free on the App Store for iPhone and iPad. The original app was released in January.

“It’s been really fun and quite surreal, to be honest,” Charles said. “I love to find new ways to heighten my brand and interact with my fans of all ages, so this was a great opportunity for me to do just that.”

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Charles added he wanted to find a way for his brand to capitalize on the frequency of the common person’s use of cell phones and tablets throughout the day, using his two daughters for example.

“I know my two little girls are always on their tablets or phones, whether they’re watching movies, playing games or surfing the web. I wanted to find a way for my brand to capitalize on that and get in tune with my fans in more ways off the field. I met with Distinctive Games and was very impressed with the work that they’ve done with other athletes, so for me it was a no-brainer.”

Charles said the game’s arcade-style 5-on-5 play where the player operates on offense and defense with no penalties separates itself from other football games.

“Football Unleashed 17 Jamaal Charles is an action-packed arcade football game that delivers exciting gameplay and amazing visuals,” Distinctive managing director Nigel Little said. “As the follow-up to ‘Football Unleashed’, we are incredibly excited to launch this game as it’s bigger and better than ever.

“We are delighted in our continued collaboration with such a talented and professional sports person. His determination and energy speaks for itself and is something we really captured in this game.”

The “Football Unleashed 17” release comes on the heels of Charles’ return to the Chiefs lineup after a year of rehabilitation from a torn ACL. He rushed nine times for 33 yards and a touchdown in a 26-10 win at Oakland last Sunday, just his second game this season. He made two carries for 7 yards two weeks earlier in a loss at Pittsburgh.

The Chiefs (3-2) will host the Saints (2-3) at noon Sunday.

I.C. Murrell: 721-2435. Twitter: @ICMurrellPANews

About I.C. Murrell

I.C. Murrell was promoted to editor of The News, effective Oct. 14, 2019. He previously served as sports editor since August 2015 and has won or shared eight first-place awards from state newspaper associations and corporations. He was born in Memphis, Tennessee, grew up mostly in Pine Bluff, Arkansas, and graduated from the University of Arkansas at Monticello.

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