The squad-based, action-adventure game, which will be presented in 3D real time, will be divided into three phases. The initial part of the game will involve stealth and strategy. Players will have to gather their escape squads and the equipment (wire cutters, digging tools, identity cards, etc.) necessary to succeed. The second phase will involve selecting the best method of escape and implementing it successfully - timing will be crucial.

The third segment will centre on the escape journey itself. For this phase, players will select different routes of difficulty, which become available during various stages of the game. For example, one squad might attempt to walk north by night, across country, towards Sweden. Another group might bluff their way in disguise by train to Paris and then travel south across the Pyrenees to Spain. A third squad might steal motorbikes and head south via Austria towards Switzerland, and so on.

Jane Cavanagh, Chief Executive of SCi, commented: "We are delighted to have acquired the rights to The Great Escape. This is a classic movie and a tremendous brand with a strong storyline that will allow us to develop an exciting series of games that will be instantly recognizable at retail outlets throughout the USA and in the major European Territories. We are very excited about this opportunity and look forward to beginning to develop an outstanding series of interactive games for a variety of platforms."

Added David Bishop, President, MGM Home Entertainment: "We are very pleased to announce that SCi will be making a series of games featuring the essential elements of The Great Escape. Given the context of the movie and the overall flavor of the story, we particularly wanted the rights to be allocated to a UK interactive games publisher. SCi are well known for the care they take to develop brands in a way that is faithful to their roots, and we feel very confident about placing these valuable rights in their capable hands."