20Q - The Source Behind The Force

OTTAWA, CANADA, June 1:— Yes, it’s true. Award-winning 20Q.net Inc., http://20Q.com, collaborated with ad agency Crispin Porter + Bogusky and Firstborn Multimedia, to create the Burger King/Star Wars website, http://www.sithsense.com.

Launched to coincide with the premier of “Star Wars: Episode III—Revenge of the Sith, it is a branded version of 20Q that allows users to challenge Darth Vader in a game of 20 Questions. In true Darth Vader fashion, the A.I. attempts to guess the object while hurling Vader-esque epithets along the way.

Partnering with 20Q and Lucasfilm for this online campaign is another bold marketing step for Burger King Corporation, demonstrating a willingness to launch innovative interactive marketing solutions.

“As the inventor of the 20Q A.I., I’m pleased to see 20Q grow up and get a new job—even if it meant a slight shift to the Dark Side,” said Robin Burgener, CEO of 20Q. “It’s been a great way to launch 20Q’s branded game service and it’s been a great collaboration with Crispin Porter + Bogusky,” he added.

“Rumors are circulating on the internet that the 20Q A.I. has been hijacked by Darth Vader, added 20Q’s Managing Director, Tanis Stoliar, “but we’d like to reassure the millions of dedicated 20Q fans that we’ve been working with CP + B on the project and are fully aware of Darth Vader’s role. 20Q fans can expect to see more branded games in the future.”

“The launch of the branded service sets the stage for other exciting developments in the coming months, said Pete Patterson, Head of Product Development at 20Q. "The push to get the Vader Challenge site up and running has given us the infrastructure we need to pursue other branding opportunities".

About 20Q

20Q is an artificial intelligence, a website, a company and a phenomenon that speaks for itself online at http://20q.net. Players think of an animal, vegetable, mineral or other item, and 20Q guesses what they are thinking in twenty questions, or less.

Each time the online game is played it “learns” a little more. After more than 48 million games played, 20Q has evolved from an experiment in artificial intelligence into a software development firm that licenses games built on the capabilities of the 20Q A.I. Robin Burgener, the inventor, has been nurturing the technology since 1988.

The future is promising for 20Q.net Inc., located in Ottawa, Canada. 20Q has been translated into 21 languages, and the specialty versions of the handheld electronic game, 20Q Rock & Pop, 20Q Sports and 20Q Junior are in stores now. 20Q Mobile for the cell phone is licensed to I–play.