Executive producer John Yuiska and creative director Daniel Garcia have joined forces with Vienna-based digital content studio .voortekk to form Super-Fi. The company will produce animation and design-based cross-platform content for commercials, broadcast design, music videos, film and branded online entertainment. Super-Fi will maintain offices in New York and Vienna.

THQ Inc. and Sega Corporation have entered into an exclusive, multi-title co-publishing agreement under which THQ will co-publish 16 Game Boy Advance titles featuring Sega brands in North America through 2003. The launch will begin with six titles released through March 2002. The agreement provides Sega with greater exposure on the Game Boy Advance platform as it transitions exclusively to software publishing and provides THQ with content to help solidify its position as a leading independent Game Boy Advance publisher.

Vivendi Universal Publishing (VU Publishing) and Interplay Entertainment Corp. have entered into a North American distribution agreement which grants VU Publishing the exclusive rights to distribute Interplay's PC and video game console products through 2003 with the exception of NEVERWINTER NIGHTS. The first titles expected to be released under the distribution agreement will be BALDUR'S GATE: DARK ALLIANCE and GIANTS: CITIZEN KABUTO for the PlayStation2 computer entertainment system. These titles are scheduled for release in fall 2001.

Activision, Inc. has acquired Treyarch Invention, LLC., a leading console software developer with a focus on action and action-sports video games. The acquisition further enables Activision to implement its multi-platform development strategy by bolstering its internal product development capabilities for the next-generation console systems, strengthening Activision's position in the action and action-sports genres.

As reported on October 4, 2001 by THE HOLLYWOOD REPORTER, Square Company Ltd., warning of losses of up to 13.9 billion yen (USD $115M) for the year's first half from weaker-than-expected revenues from its feature film FINAL FANTASY: THE SPIRITS WITHIN, had ceased funding of their Honolulu-based studio Square Pictures. Allowed to continue operations, Square Pictures has indicated that they will continue to develop CGI projects with funding from other studios, and plans to possibly develop a FINAL FANTASY sequel or prequel.

Infogrames, Inc., a global publisher of interactive entertainment software, has announced operating results for its fiscal year ended June 30, 2001. Full-year net revenue, which includes publishing and distribution revenue, was $310.5 million or virtually even with full-year net revenues of $313.2 million for the prior year. Publishing revenue for the period rose to $232.1 million from $188.4 million in the comparable year-earlier period. Distribution revenue was $78.4 million in fiscal 2001 as compared with distribution revenue of $124.8 million in the same 2000 period.

The Walt Disney Company has formed a new business unit, the Buena Vista Game Entertainment Studio, a new organization created to leverage and combine new and emerging technologies, such as broadband and wireless, with video consoles, PCs, other technological innovations, and online games to deliver integrated interactive entertainment for a new consumer experience. Jan E. Smith has been installed as its president. Smith, a 14-year Disney veteran, will also continue to serve in her current role as president of Disney Interactive.

Turner Broadcasting System (TBS) Latin America, Inc. has reached an agreement with DIRECTV Latin America, LLC (DIRECTV) for satellite distribution in Latin America of Boomerang, the 24-hour network that offers classic animated entertainment. Launched into the Latin American region in July of 2001, Boomerang continues to expand its reach in the market by adding DIRECTV's satellite distribution. Reaching more than 1.4 million direct-to-home customers, DIRECTV Latin America becomes one of the largest distributors for Boomerang in the region.

In an election supervised by assemblyman Paul Koretz, chair of the California Assembly Committee on Labor and Employment, the writers from six of Nickelodeon’s animated series voted 19 to 2 in favor of Writers Guild of America, west (WGAw) representation. Sequoia Voting Systems, an independent company that provides election services to unions and state and local governments, received and counted the ballots.

Animation studio Wild Brain, Inc. has continued the expansion of its global operations with the launch of its new creative services studio Wild Brain UK, LLC based in London. Wild Brain UK is headed by animation and commercial creative director Mike Smith and managing producer Nikki Kefford, with director Tom Gravestock also on board. Powered by talent from London's animation community, Wild Brain UK will be committed to developing emerging talent with a wide-range of distinctive and eclectic styles. Mike Smith, who has spent the last 10 years in the U.S., working at Warner Bros.