Gameloft, a leading developer and publisher of videogames for mobile phones, has signed an exclusive agreement with Viacom Consumer Products Inc. to develop, publish and distribute the wireless game version of Steven Spielberg's WAR OF THE WORLDS starring Tom Cruise.
Gameloft will develop the WAR OF THE WORLDS storyline into a mobile game and distribute it through Gameloft's wide network of carriers, partners and its online store. The agreement reinforces Gameloft's strong position in mobile gaming and adds to the company's growing list of licenses with strong international brands.
"WAR OF THE WORLDS is a classic, both in novel and film form, and Gameloft is very excited to add the mobile version to the list of acclaimed adaptations," said Karine Kaiser, Gameloft's marketing deputy director. "We are looking forward to working collaboratively with Viacom Consumer Products to produce the best possible mobile game that captures the essence of the movie."
WAR OF THE WORLDS is a contemporary retelling of H.G. Wells seminal classic. The sci-fi adventure thriller reveals the extraordinary battle for the future of humankind through the eyes of one American family fighting to survive it.
Gameloft's version of WAR OF THE WORLDS will be invading mobile handsets June 29, day-and-date with the worldwide movie release.
Gameloft (www.gameloft.com) is a leading international publisher and developer of videogames for mobile phones. Established in 1999, it has emerged as one of the top innovators in its field. The company creates games for mobile handsets equipped with Java, Brew or Symbian technology. The total number of mobile handsets with this technology is anticipated to exceed one billion units in 2007.
Gameloft has worldwide offices in the U.S., Canada, U.K., Germany, Italy, France, Portugal, Spain, China and Japan.
Viacom Consumer Products is a part of Nickelodeon & Viacom Consumer Products (NVCP). NVCP manages the merchandise licensing, home video, music, book and interactive software businesses for Nickelodeon brands and characters as well as the properties of Comedy Central, Spike TV and MTV Networks International, along with some non-Viacom properties. In addition, NVCP manages the merchandise, interactive, book and wireless licensing for Paramount Pictures.
Bill Desowitz, former editor of VFXWorld, is currently the Crafts Editor of IndieWire.
