Bourne game rights forget Vivendi, return to Ludlum Entertainment

by Alexander Sliwinski { Jul 30th 2008 at 1:15PM }

With Blizzavision cleaning house of all the Vivendi properties it doesn't want, the Bourne game rights have been reqacquired by Ludlum Entertainment, the company handling Bourne author Robert Ludlum's properties. The Bourne Conspiracy was the only game to come out of the original Vivendi deal, and Ludlum Entertainment CEO, Jeffrey Weiner, says the success of the title will cause the company to find new "innovative partners in the gaming community."

The short version of why Actilizzard doesn't really care about Bourne: The company already has its own super-spy franchise to worry about. A man named Bond ... James Bond.

Tags: activision-blizzard, bond, bourne, ludlum, ludlum-entertainment

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)

J @ Jul 30th 2008 1:28PM

I rented Bourne Conspiracy and although my expectations weren't very high, I was still rather dissapointed. For a game that focused on punching, it's controls were pretty weak and relied on practically non-existent "combos". When you finally get a gun, the aiming sucked. The only time anything somewhat cool happened on the screen it was due to a timed button press. Maybe Ludlum can find someone better.

WRE: I own all 3! (4 if you count the DS.) @ Jul 30th 2008 1:33PM

I kind of hate what they're doing with the Bourne name now that Ludlum is moldering in his grave. Don't get me wrong, the movies were pretty good, but the new books are ridiculous. Stop trying to change Bourne into the American Bond!

Vcize @ Jul 30th 2008 2:06PM

I actually liked the first game quite a bit.

I really wish they'd do one based on the books though, rather than just saying they're basing it on the books and 100% basing it on the movies.

Joe @ Jul 30th 2008 4:53PM

I wonder who will bid to get the rights to make future game EA or may be Take-Two. But me I would love to see what Naughty Dog could do. They did a great job on Uncharted and I think they could make a great Bourne game. Plus who ever does get it I hope they get Mat Damon on the job to do some mocap.

Vii @ Jul 30th 2008 7:41PM

Videogame adaptations aside. Jason Bourne would beat the everliving fuck out of James Bond. Bond relies way to heavily on his damn gadgets. Meanwhile you have Bourne who is highly adaptable to any situation. Best of all he makes his own gadgets from technology acquired from the environment.

If only Bourne could get a dev that cares more about the plot rather than the action. The character more than the profits.

Of course I would love to hear some other thoughts on the matter.

A @ Jul 31st 2008 11:33AM

hmm- the new bond is pretty badass though. Though, I think Bourne's an assassin, not a spy. So, uh, Bond could totally recon his ass and steal his flashdrive. yeah.

Action and story need to go hand in hand. Otherwise you switch between story watching and game playing, which most games do. When my in game actions feel immediately connected to the story, and not just a way to get to the next scene, I'm happier. And I'm even happier if those actions are really fun to do.

ok, just got bourne id for summer reading so i'm off!