Under the terms of the agreement, Activision will develop and publish video game 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 video game rights beyond "Shrek 3" to include potential future films in the "Shrek" franchise.
Activision has secured the exclusive worldwide video game 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 and 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 video game franchises. Working with Activision, we hope to deliver an unprecedented level of collaboration between the movie and the video game."
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 video games 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" video game was the #1 best-selling children's video game 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 and 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."