Ubisoft gets Turtle Power
by:
Chuck
-
posted:
1/11/2006 11:50:00 AM
Ubisoft has signed an agreement with 4Kids Entertainment and the Mirage group to develop a video game based on the upcoming Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles movie. There aren't a lot of details in the press release (like which platforms the game will be on) but given that the game and movie are coming out in 2007 it's safe to say it will probably be next generation platforms. Hopefully the game is as good as the old four player arcade machine and not a watered down hunk of licensed crap.
UBISOFT TO DEVELOP VIDEO GAME BASED ON UPCOMING TEENAGE MUTANT NINJA TURTLES® CG MOVIE
Ubisoft Signs Worldwide License Agreement with 4Kids Entertainment and Mirage Group
SAN
FRANCISCO – JANUARY 11, 2006 – Today Ubisoft, one of the world’s
largest video game publishers, announced that it has signed an
exclusive worldwide license agreement with 4Kids Entertainment, Inc.
(NYSE: KDE) and Mirage Group to develop and publish Teenage Mutant
Ninja Turtles® a video game based on the new CG feature-length film
being produced by Imagi Animation Studios and to be distributed by
Warner Bros. Pictures in the U.S. and The Weinstein Company
internationally. Under the agreement, it is expected that the video
game will be available for gaming consoles in conjunction with the
movie’s planned release in early 2007.
The Teenage Mutant Ninja
Turtles movie will be the first all CG animated movie in the history of
the franchise. The PG-rated movie will derive its tone from the
original comic-book series and will be grittier than the previous live
action pictures.
“Ubisoft has demonstrated its strong commitment
to making quality license-based games and truly understands the spirit
of one of the world’s most famous children’s brands,†said Christian
Salomon, director of licensing at Ubisoft. “Ubisoft is thrilled to be
bringing the Turtles back in an exciting new adventure that will
attract the first generation of enthusiasts all the way through to the
current and future generations of fans.â€
Teenage Mutant Ninja
Turtles has been an international phenomenon for more than twenty
years. The property began as an underground comic book and is now one
of the most popular licenses; the 4Kids TVâ„¢ show is broadcast in more
than 90 territories and the toys, movies and video games are popular
throughout the world.
“We are excited that the Turtles are
returning to the big screen in 2007 and pleased to partner with Ubisoft
for the creation of a new movie-based Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles
video game,†said Alfred R. Kahn, chairman and chief executive officer
of 4Kids Entertainment. “We are confident Ubisoft’s commitment to
quality, strong international distribution and presence in the
worldwide video game market will complement the Teenage Mutant Ninja
Turtles movie experience and help generate added excitement for the
Turtles brand.â€
For more information about Ubisoft, please visit www.ubisoftgroup.com and www.ubi.com.
About Ubisoft:
Ubisoft
is a leading producer, publisher and distributor of interactive
entertainment products worldwide and has grown considerably through its
strong and diversified line-up of products and partnerships. Ubisoft
has offices in 21 countries and sales in more than 50 countries around
the globe. It is committed to delivering high-quality, cutting-edge
videogame titles to consumers. Ubisoft generated revenue of 538 million
Euros for the 2004–2005 fiscal year, an increase of 8 percent over the
previous fiscal year at constant exchange rates. To learn more, please
visit www.ubisoftgroup.com.
About 4Kids Entertainment
Headquartered
in New York City with international offices in London, 4Kids
Entertainment, Inc. (NYSE: KDE) is a global provider of children's
entertainment and merchandise licensing. 4Kids, through its wholly
owned subsidiaries, provides domestic and international merchandise
licensing; product development; television, film, music and home video
production and distribution; media planning and buying; and Web site
development. For further information, please visit the Company's Web
site at www.4KidsEntertainment.com and www.4Kids.TV.