Category: Games

4Kids Entertainment, Inc., the worldwide agent and co-producer of the new TEENAGE MUTANT NINJA TURTLES series, has announced that Konami Corporation will be the exclusive worldwide developer and publisher of video games based on the upcoming animated show. The series is currently in production and is scheduled to debut on the FOX BOX in the first quarter of 2003. Konami was the game developer for the original TEENAGE MUTANT NINJA TURTLES phenomenon, and created games in the late 1980s and early `90s for the property, which grossed nearly half a billion dollars.

Video games are fast becoming the nation's number one source of entertainment, but, as with movies, the content of these games is often cited as the cause of violent behavior in young adults. Recently, the United States Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit dismissed all actions against Chicago-based Midway Games Inc., and other entertainment providers in the case arising out of a school shooting that took place at Heath High School in Paducah, Kentucky on December 1, 1997. High school student Michael Carneal killed three fellow students and wounded several others.

The U.S. video game industry grew 43% in 2001, and remains a hotbed of career opportunity in a struggling economy. In response, GAME DEVELOPER magazine has published its first "Game Career Guide." In this special issue of Game Developer, game industry veterans provide valuable information to aspiring developers, including an overview of careers in game development and the skills they require, along with a comprehensive directory of game development schools and programs.

Independent filmmaker Tonya Hurley has launched Ghostgirl.com, a new Website that introduces Charlotte Usher, an unpopular girl who wakes up dead one day and finds herself just as unappreciated in the world of the Great Beyond. The site, aimed at teens and tweens, features Flash animation, weekly comic strips, games, tips and quizzes. GHOSTGIRL is based on a story and screenplay by Hurley and was produced by JOHNNY BRAVO creator Van Partible. Hurley has written and directed numerous short projects, both animation and documentary.

Game developer and publisher Midway Games Inc. has recently licensed BioGraphic Technologies recently released AI.implant SDK for an action-adventure game in production for next generation platforms. AI.implant is a powerful real-time interactive commercial artificial intelligence animation solution that enables digital content creators to create rich AI character interactions. "We are extremely pleased to have Midway as a partner," said Dr. Paul Kruszewski, president and founder of BioGraphic Technologies.

Sony Computer Entertainment America Inc. is developing RISE TO HONOR (working title), an action-adventure game inspired by the cinematic styling of the Hong Kong action movie genre, exclusively for the PlayStation2 computer entertainment system. Sony Computer Entertainment's Foster City Studio will collaborate with action star Jet Li (THE ONE, KISS OF THE DRAGON, LETHAL WEAPON 4, SHAOLIN TEMPLE) on the game, which will immerse players into a series of lethal missions extending from Hong Kong to San Francisco.

Simon & Schuster Interactive, in association with Jim Henson Interactive, a division of The Jim Henson Company, announced that their anticipated PC release FARSCAPE: THE GAME has shipped. Based on the hit Sci-Fi Channel show, and featuring voices of the cast members, the PC release of FARSCAPE: THE GAME will be available at retailers August 17, 2002. FARSCAPE: THE GAME is a 3D action game that incorporates CG models and sound effects taken from the series. In addition to the game arriving at retail, Farscapegame.com, the official Website of the game has launched.

Stan Winston Studio and software publisher Midway Games Inc. have teamed to create an action-adventure videogame for next-generation consoles. The game, currently in development, is tentatively titled AREA 51 and is scheduled to ship in 2004. Stan Winston Studio will serve in a lead creative capacity in the development of the main alien enemies for the game, which takes three distinct characters on individual and cooperative missions in an attempt to unlock the extra-terrestrial mystery behind the titular Nevada desert locale.

Infogrames, Inc. has signed a deal with producers C-2 Pictures and Intermedia to develop and distribute video games based on the third film in the TERMINATOR series, TERMINATOR 3: RISE OF THE MACHINES, scheduled to be in theaters summer 2003. Through the agreement, Infogrames has secured the exclusive interactive rights for video games based on the property for all home video game consoles and the personal computer. Infogrames also secured the exclusive first option for interactive rights to any TERMINATOR 4 film through the deal, subject to certain conditions.

Interactive software publisher TDK Mediactive, Inc. has signed a worldwide licensing agreement with Disney Interactive to create games based on two upcoming Disney films that take their premises from well-known Disneyland theme rides. First up is the HAUNTED MANSION, which will make its way to the big screen in 2003. The theatrical release of HAUNTED MANSION will be supported by TDK Mediactive on most major video game platforms in time for Halloween and the holiday season.

Twotitles based on Disney's latest animated feature LILO AND STITCH havebeen released by Sony Computer Entertainment America and DisneyInteractive, coinciding with the release of the film. DISNEY'S LILOAND STITCH is an interactive, action-platform game for thePlayStation game consoles and allows gamers to take on the role ofeither Lilo or Stitch and embark on an exciting Hawaiian journey,visiting many of the locations featured in the film. For thePlayStation 2, DISNEY'S STITCH: EXPERIMENT 626 is an action shooter

Los Angeles-based digitalanimation studio Animax Interactive has teamed with entertainer DaveCoulier (TV's FULL HOUSE) and F3 Entertainment to bring the WEAVERBEAVER AND FRIENDS characters to life. Animax designed and developeda Website to support the release of two new kids' audio CDs featuringDave Coulier with WEAVER BEAVER AND FRIENDS. In addition to creatingthe Website, Animax was significantly involved in everything frominitial character development to the jacket design used on both CDs.