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Universal reborn as games powerhouse

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Universal reborn as games powerhouse

Movie giant self-financing and producing video game adaptations of hit TV and cinema franchises

Universal is producing a video game adaptation of its recent movie release Wanted - with more self-financed, cinema-based licences planned.

The studio – famous for creating movies such as Jaws, Jurassic Park and The Blues Brothers – is to 'selectively finance its own games whilst still licensing out the majority of its [TV and cinema] titles', according to Variety.

The move represents Universal's second stab at success in video games, following the sale of its previous games division, Universal Interactive, which became part of Vivendi Games in 2000.

Universal digital platforms boss Bill Kispert said financing the firm's own video games will help the studio expand and 'devote more time to production on movie-based software by skipping negotiations with outside publishers'.

"We’re now running a hybrid model where we can license titles where that makes sense or kick off development earlier to put ourselves in a better position for success," he explained.

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Wanted - the movie of which starred James McAvoy and Angelina Jolie – will be a big budget title for the PC, PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360.

It is being targeted for release late this year or in early 2009.

No thanks

posted by Newitts Jul 23, 2008 at 11:01 am
1
Newitts

I don't think the industry needs any more poor movie or TV show tie-ins.

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Re: No thanks

posted by Neil Jul 23, 2008 at 11:05 am
2
Neil

Lost. Bandwagon. Jumping on...

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Re: Re: No thanks

posted by Greychapter Jul 23, 2008 at 11:46 am
3
Greychapter

I guess one thing that may come out of this is that developers should be able to get access to scripts, concept art, footage etc much earlier allowing them more time to make a decent game. One of the big issues I have always had with licensed properties in development is that the information is always delivered "too little, too late" but with the power a licensor holds over a title you end up trying to shoe horn it in anyways.

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Re: Re: Re: No thanks

posted by Gamez4Life Jul 23, 2008 at 4:41 pm
4

LMAO, let's see if Universal decide to do a good JAWS movie tie-in and do a much much better job than Majesco did!!!

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Re: Re: Re: Re: No thanks

posted by Old Jul 24, 2008 at 3:50 am
5
Old

This is old news - was announced at E3 last week and then all over the place earlier this week. Faster, MCV, Faster!

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