Both titles are already in development. VUG is expected to release its first game under the deal, "The Bourne Identity," in 2007, around the same time Universal releases "The Bourne Ultimatum," its next pic in the series. That game will be followed with one based on Ludlum's "Covert One" series, for which he co-wrote five books.
"We've devoted a huge amount of resources to secure the Ludlum franchises and start making the games, and we expect them to be a pillar of VUG's success for years," commented chief exec Bruce Hack.
Ludlum Entertainment, which handles licensing for the author's titles, decided to make its first vidgame deal after eyeing the success of Clancy's games and watching the "Bourne" pics hit with younger auds. "We realized this series was now appealing to a demographic that isn't familiar with the books," said Ludlum Entertainment CEO Jeffrey M. Weiner. "The best way to contemporize it for them further is through videogames." Ludlum Entertainment then conducted an auction with six major vidgame publishers before finally selecting VU Games.
"We are thrilled to have the opportunity to launch a new line of games inspired by some of the most exciting spy-action franchises ever created," said Bruce Hack, CEO of VU Games. "The interest in Robert Ludlum's works is enormous, as evidenced by the worldwide popularity and commercial success of his books and movies. VU Games intends to aggressively establish Ludlum as a top tier games brand with high-quality franchises poised to go head-to-head with other major spy-action games in the industry."
"Properties like Bourne and Covert One naturally lend themselves to video games, and we are excited to bring Robert Ludlum's stories to life in a way that has never been done before," said Jeffrey M. Weiner, CEO of Ludlum Entertainment. "Our long-term partnership with VU Games underscores our belief in the creativity and vision that the development team will bring to these exciting new projects."