Activision Inc. and DreamWorks Animation SKG jointly announced that the companies have agreed to a new long-term, broad-based strategic alliance. The companies signed a multi-year agreement, which grants Activision the exclusive videogame rights to upcoming feature films from DreamWorks Animation.
Under the terms of the agreement, Activision will develop and publish videogame products based on DreamWorks Animation's upcoming movies, including BEE MOVIE and KUNG FU PANDA, as well as films currently in development, including REX HAVOC and HOW TO TRAIN YOUR DRAGON. The deal also extends Activision's videogame rights beyond SHREK 3 to include potential future films in the SHREK franchise.
Activision has secured the exclusive worldwide videogame publishing rights for all current and future console platforms, the PC and hand-held devices. The company has also secured the rights to develop additional games based on the properties during non-film years, as well as the right to publish games based on each property's sequel.
"Our association with DreamWorks has resulted in some of the most critically acclaimed and successful movie-based video games ever," stated Robert Kotick, chairman/ceo, Activision Inc. "This announcement enables us to continue to build on our strong creative collaboration and underscores Activision's ongoing commitment to developing exceptional games based on the highest quality intellectual properties and brands."
Jeffrey Katzenberg, ceo of DreamWorks Animation SKG, said, "Activision is a market leader in developing computer-generated movie properties into videogame franchises. Working with Activision, we hope to deliver an unprecedented level of collaboration between the movie and the videogame."
Additionally, Activision is currently developing games based on OVER THE HEDGE, which will be released in May 2006, and SHREK 3, which is slated for release in 2007. The company also holds the right to develop games based on the recently announced film MADAGASCAR 2, which is slated for release in 2008.
Under its current agreement with DreamWorks Animation, Activision has released videogames across multiple platforms based on SHREK 2, SHARK TALE and MADAGASCAR. Collectively to date, these titles have shipped more than 10 million units across multiple platforms worldwide. Activision's SHREK 2 videogame was the #1 best-selling children's videogame in the U.S. for calendar 2004, according to NPD.
"The new generation of gaming platforms will help us expand our computer-generated movies into interactive entertainment like never before," said Anne Globe, head of worldwide consumer products and promotions for DreamWorks Animation. "We look forward to working with Activision to extend our stories and characters into rich worlds of interactive entertainment."
Mike Griffith, president/ceo, Activision Publishing Inc., added, "Activision looks forward to an even closer working collaboration with the production teams at DreamWorks Animation. Our strong relationship has allowed us to deliver interactive entertainment experiences that remain true to the films while bringing these extraordinary stories to life through the visually immersive nature of interactive entertainment."
DreamWorks Animation SKG is principally devoted to developing and producing computer-generated, or CG-animated, feature films.
Headquartered in Santa Monica, California, Activision Inc. is a leading worldwide developer, publisher and distributor of interactive entertainment and leisure products. Founded in 1979, Activision posted net revenues of $1.4 billion for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2005. Activision maintains operations in the U.S., Canada, the U.K., France, Germany, Italy, Japan, Australia, Scandinavia, Spain and the Netherlands. More information can be found at www.activision.com.
Rick DeMott
Animation World Network
Creator of Rick's Flicks Picks
