Video game developer Vicarious Visions, Inc. has partnered with The Animation Academy of Burbank, California to develop new intellectual property and character brands, starting with a multi-platform video game set for release in 2003. Vicarious Visions is an independent game development studio whose recent titles include STAR WARS JEDI KNIGHT II: JEDI OUTCAST for Xbox and Gamecube, and the award winning CRASH BANDICOOT and TONY HAWK’S PRO SKATER series for Game Boy Advance. The Animation Academy was founded in 1998 by Charles Zembillas and has emerged as a premiere facility for design, visual development and traditional animation training. Zembillas is a character designer and visual development artist known for his work on CRASH BANDICOOT, SPYRO THE DRAGON and the award winning JAK AND DAXTER video games. Karthik Bala, CEO of Vicarious Visions, stated: "The partnership will combine traditional animation and character development skills with the technology and production expertise needed to bring characters and worlds to life in fun and engaging video games." "We're very excited about this project and with our relationship with Vicarious Visions," concurred Zembillas. "The company has an excellent reputation, an impressive track record and a commitment to high quality production. I wish we could clone them."