Joystiq

EA kills licensing deals with gun makers, keeps those guns in games [Update]

Jessica Conditt — Wed, 08 May 2013 13:45:00 EST

Behind the scenes, EA is dropping licensing ties to real-life gun manufacturers, but on-screen it still intends to use branded guns in its games. Most recently, EA has worked with gun manufacturers such as McMillan Group International and gun magazine maker Magpul to promote Medal of Honor: Warfighter, but now those deals are off - even though EA still plans to use name-brand guns in its shooters.

"We're telling a story and we have a point of view," EA Labels President Frank Gibeau tells Reuters. "A book doesn't pay for saying the word 'Colt,' for example."

EA spokesman Jeff Brown says branded weapons lend games "enhanced authenticity," which is why EA wants to keep them in its games. However, all official agreements between EA and gun companies are now severed. "The action games we will release this year will not include licensed images of weapons," Brown says.

Following December's mass shooting in Newtown, Connecticut, the NRA and a handful of politicians and pundits blamed video games for encouraging gun violence. One week after the shooting, NRA Executive Vice President Wayne LaPierre said video games represented "a callous, corrupt and corrupting shadow industry that sells, and sows, violence against its own people."

Brown says that the NRA's comments have nothing to do with its decision: "The response from our audience was pretty clear: They feel the comments from the NRA were a simple attempt to change the subject."

EA is currently involved in a lawsuit with Bell Helicopter, who argues that use of its helicopters in the Battlefield games goes beyond fair use and infringes on Bell's trademark. A jury trial is set for June to decide the issue, which could easily apply to EA's new gun-licensing theory.

Update: Jeff Brown tells Ars Technica that EA has never paid a licensing fee to a gun manufacturer, nor has it been paid to use specific branded guns in its games. EA will simply continue this practice in the future.

"No other EA game or service has used licensed gun images in a game," Brown says.

EA did work with McMillan and Magpul for that Medal of Honor: Warfighter campaign, a charity benefiting veterans that encouraged gun makers featured in the game to donate. Those that did were featured on a Warfighter sub-page as "authentic brands" in the game. All of the money went straight to the charity, Brown says.

EA kills licensing deals with gun makers, keeps those guns in games [Update] originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 08 May 2013 13:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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THQ owed WWE $7.6 million, disclosure statement reveals

Mike Suszek — Sat, 20 Apr 2013 16:30:00 EST

A recent disclosure statement filed by THQ revealed details of the terms the publisher came to with the WWE and series developer Yuke's when the publisher folded. At the time of THQ's bankruptcy filing in December 2012, it owed approximately $7.6 million to WWE for marketing and royalties expenses, as well as $15 million to $20 million to Yuke's.

According to the statement, THQ, WWE and Yuke's all signed termination agreements on February 12, 2013 that relieved THQ of responsibility in paying WWE and Yuke's of those claims. THQ agreed to pay WWE royalties for sales of WWE games during its Chapter 11 case, and will also pay Yuke's $250,000 in settlement for royalties from sales during the time of its bankruptcy filing.

As a result, WWE and Yuke's terminated existing contracts with THQ in order to pursue a publishing agreement for future WWE games with Take-Two. Damage claims against THQ that were eliminated as a result of the termination agreement "may have exceeded $60 million," according to the document.

THQ owed WWE $7.6 million, disclosure statement reveals originally appeared on Joystiq on Sat, 20 Apr 2013 16:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Microsoft files patent for device that enforces licenses through visual surveillance

Mike Schramm — Wed, 07 Nov 2012 01:00:00 EST

Microsoft has filed a patent for a system that could potentially use a camera to determine whether you're breaking its content-viewing rules or not. US Patent Application 20120278904 describes the ability to use a Kinect-like camera-enabled device for "continuously monitoring a number of users at a display device during the performance of [some] content," which basically means the camera would watch the faces of anyone watching a display showing licensed content (like a movie or a game), and then track those faces to see if the viewers had appropriately licensed it.

The patent lists a number of options for determining the validity of the possible viewers, including counting their number (as in, making sure only three people were able to see a movie), or actually identifying specific users (to make sure Julie isn't watching a movie that Mark was only licensed to see). The patent itself doesn't specifically mention Kinect, but it does mention the idea of a "gaming and media system" as well as "mobile devices" with the same capability.

Obviously, such a system would have some weaknesses (could you use a picture or a sculpture to spoof the camera?), and the patent states at the end that this is just one possible implementation of a setup like this. But Microsoft is apparently thinking about using Kinect's ability to recognize you for more than just throwing around spells and playing games. In the future, that camera may be used to figure out whether you're following the rules or not.

Microsoft files patent for device that enforces licenses through visual surveillance originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 07 Nov 2012 01:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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NBA extends multi-year licensing agreements with 2K and EA Sports

James Ransom-Wiley — Mon, 23 May 2011 13:25:00 EST

Six years ago, the NBA counted five major game makers -- including Sony, Midway and Atari -- in its non-exclusive circle of licensees. That number has since dwindled to two, as the league today re-upped its multi-year licensing agreements with its longstanding (and still standing) video game partners, Take-Two Interactive and Electronic Arts.

Unsurprisingly, through its 2K Sports label, Take-Two will continue to make use of its NBA license in its successful NBA 2K franchise. The most recent release, NBA 2K11, has now sold more than five million units since its October 2010 debut, according to the publisher. The next iteration, NBA 2K12, is expected to be announced at E3.

Assuming 2K12 is on track to be released this fall (lockout or game on), it would mark a second straight year that 2K Sports' simulation series entered the market with no direct competition (Madden style!). EA, the NBA's oldest video game partner, permanently benched NBA Elite 11 last November after the company determined, "It was just going to be a bad game." EA Sports' next basketball sim won't be released until Fall 2012, with a download-only NBA Jam sequel subbing in this October.

Additionally, Take-Two is expected to "explore and develop new NBA licensed gaming opportunities, including online on social media platforms," according to a press announcement.

Counting itself as "the No. 1 U.S. sports league on Facebook, Twitter, and YouTube," the NBA, through its NBA Digital label, has already released NBA Legends (developed by Lionside) and NBA Dynasty (in partnership with Disney-owned Playdom) on Facebook this year.

[Pictured: Bulls versus Lakers and the NBA Playoffs (EA, 1991); source: Hoopedia]

Continue reading NBA extends multi-year licensing agreements with 2K and EA Sports

NBA extends multi-year licensing agreements with 2K and EA Sports originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 23 May 2011 13:25:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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LucasArts licenses Unreal Engine 3 for long-term, multi-project use

James Ransom-Wiley — Tue, 26 Apr 2011 18:43:00 EST

LucasArts has entered into a multi-year licensing agreement with Epic Games to develop with Unreal Engine 3, the studios announced today. The deal will encompass "multiple projects" and looks to provide a shortcut for LucasArts "between inspiration and execution on a wide variety of gaming platforms," according to Zak Phelps, the company's director of technology.

Epic VP Mark Rein echoed that sentiment when he trumpeted "Unreal Engine 3's ability to scale across platforms, from mobile, through PC and console all the way up to the next generation of games." Epic's recent tech demo of the latest UE3 updates certainly looked incredible, but we didn't notice any new features promising to render a deeper Star Wars experience. Then again, we'd probably pay a buck just to see the Force unleashed on our iPhone, inspired or not.

Previously, LucasArts licensed Unreal Engine 2 for 2005's Star Wars: Republic Commando (pictured).

LucasArts licenses Unreal Engine 3 for long-term, multi-project use originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 26 Apr 2011 18:43:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Report: EA and NFL restructure exclusivity deal amid work stoppage fears

James Ransom-Wiley — Tue, 15 Feb 2011 16:30:00 EST

The NFL has cut EA a break, reports SportsBusiness Journal, reducing the Madden maker's licensing fee by an undisclosed amount for the next football season, which remains in jeopardy as the current collective bargaining agreement between the league and the players' union is set to expire March 4 and, so far, renegotiations have been futile. If a new CBA is not drawn between the two sides before the current contract expires, it could result in a work stoppage -- in other words, no football come fall.

While such an outcome wouldn't prevent EA from releasing Madden 12 in early August (the series' traditional launch window leading up to the start of the NFL regular season), it could certainly devalue the expensive NFL-related licenses that EA has secured. Last October, anticipating such a scenario, EA reportedly requested a $30 million dollar discount on its payment owed to the NFL this year. The five-year deal inked in 2008 between the two sides is believed to be worth "well into nine figures" -- that's hundreds of millions -- and is likely the NFL's most lucrative non-TV contract, according to SBJ.

"For one of our core partners in a difficult environment, we say let's look at this, and maybe it makes some sense to extend something out longer and give our partner some relief in the short term, but gain something on the back end," Jacksonville Jaguars owner Wayne Weaver, chairman of the NFL's business ventures committee, told SBJ, alluding to the nature of the restructured deal with EA. According to SBJ's sources, EA has been granted some form of relief for this year's fees, and its NFL exclusivity deal has been extended one year through the 2013-14 football season.

EA maintains a separate, concurrent contract with the NFL Players Association for which the players' union receives $30-40 million, annually (according to the union's Labor Department filings), for the publisher's right to use NFL players in its games. It's as yet unknown if EA has sought to reduce its fees owed to the union this year or extend the deal another year to remain consistent with the companion contract with the league. EA declined our request to comment on its NFL-related licensing agreements for this article.

Report: EA and NFL restructure exclusivity deal amid work stoppage fears originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 15 Feb 2011 16:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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AvP game engine Asura 'fully functional' on NGP

James Ransom-Wiley — Mon, 07 Feb 2011 20:00:00 EST

Go ahead and add Aliens vs. Predator to the list of console games that are possible on Sony's next-generation portable. Rebellion has a "fully functional" version of its Asura game engine ready -- and ready to be licensed -- for NGP game development, reports CVG.

According to MobyGames, Rebellion has used the engine since 2003's Judge Dredd: Dredd Vs. Death, with the most recent incarnation powering last year's multiplatform FPS AvP. The studio says it has an Asura-based, multiplayer third-person shooter demo running on NGP. "We'll be attending DICE [this week] and GDC to show what we have created and look for business partners," pitched CEO Jason Kingsley.

"The technology, design and art teams have worked incredibly well with Sony's newest device," boasted Kingsley. "We have managed to make our engine fully functional and looking great on the hardware in double quick time." Okay -- but does the frame rate hold up in triple time?

AvP game engine Asura 'fully functional' on NGP originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 07 Feb 2011 20:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Nintendo denies use of Mario theme in Justin Bieber movie

Justin McElroy — Fri, 21 Jan 2011 17:10:00 EST

According to a tweet from director John Chu, Nintendo prohibited a 15-second clip of the Super Mario Bros. theme song from being used in an upcoming film adaptation of pop prince Justin Bieber's life, ~~Crank 3~~ Never Say Never. Chu seemed frustrated, but we understand why a company like Nintendo has to be so careful about how its flagship property is used. Also, our condolences to Justin Bieber, whom Nintendo apparently ranks just slightly below shampoo, cereal, slippers, piñatas, and, of course, this. Sleep well, buddy.

Hey, maybe Chu should have just used it without asking. ... What's that, Captain Lou? ... Oh, OK, never mind.

Nintendo denies use of Mario theme in Justin Bieber movie originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 21 Jan 2011 17:10:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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THQ soaks up multi-year SpongeBob rights, includes 3DS game

James Ransom-Wiley — Mon, 18 Oct 2010 11:45:00 EST

Filed under: Weird But True, Opinions, New In Pop Culture

He may never be a Metacritic standout, but SpongeBob SquarePants has won the hearts of millions of little ones -- it doesn't matter what we think about his games. Having shipped 29 million copies of pure SpongeBob gold since 2002, THQ isn't about to let the money-maker off the hook. The publisher has renewed its partnership with Nickelodeon for multi-year rights to develop and release SpongeBob titles across major platforms and distribution channels.

The first game under the new agreement is being developed for 3DS, Kinect and THQ's own uDraw GameTablet for Wii. It will be released next year, and you'll probably have to buy it (and one of those new technologies) if you've got a kid between ages 2 and 11.

THQ soaks up multi-year SpongeBob rights, includes 3DS game originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 18 Oct 2010 11:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Namco Bandai signs long-term Power Rangers licensing deal

Griffin McElroy — Fri, 14 May 2010 13:30:00 EST

Say what you will about the decidedly kid-oriented Power Rangers franchise, but it's made for some pretty enjoyable beat-em-up video games in console generations past. Hence our interest in Namco Bandai's recent decision to renew its partnership with Saban Brands to start making games based on the Mighty Morphin heroes once again.

According to Eurogamer, this collaboration was made possible by Saban's recent move to re-acquire the Power Rangers IP from Disney, which has owned the rights to the franchise since 2001, and has used it to launch like, a zillion spin-off series. We hope any games Namco Bandai creates under the partnership focuses on the original crew. You know, Zack, Kimberly, Trini ... the Red one, and ... the nerdy one. Also, the insufferable robot.

Namco Bandai signs long-term Power Rangers licensing deal originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 14 May 2010 13:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Marvelous licenses Western WiiWare games for Japan

JC Fletcher — Wed, 10 Feb 2010 10:15:00 EST

Marvelous Entertainment, faced with low sales and financial trouble, is turning to a relatively low-cost source of new material to publish: Western WiiWare games. The publisher just started a new label, World Game Parade, to release localized Japanese versions of some WiiWare games originally developed and published outside of Japan.

In March, World Game Parade will release Zombie in Wonderland (called Zombie Panic in Wonderland outside of Japan) and Bit Man!! (Bplus's Bit Boy!!). Katamuki Spirits (Equilibrio) and Rakugaki Hero (Max & the Magic Marker) will follow in April. WiiWare sales figures aren't normally released, so we may have to wait until Marvelous's next earnings report to determine the effectiveness of the plan. We can confirm right now that the logo is adorable.

[Via Andriasang]

Marvelous licenses Western WiiWare games for Japan originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 10 Feb 2010 10:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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LGJ: Nagging Trademark Questions

Mark Methenitis — Wed, 20 Jan 2010 03:00:00 EST

Filed under: Features

Mark Methenitis contributes Law of the Game on Joystiq ("LGJ"), a column on legal issues as they relate to video games:

So, you heard the rumors about EA working on NBA Jam, and then the confirmation of a new NBA Jam for the Wii, and you, like so many other people, thought to yourself, "Hey, what ever happens to trademarks that aren't being used? And why can't we figure out what's going on with NBA Jam before the press release by searching the Trademark office?" Well, I'm glad you asked, because these are questions that it's high time I answered. Most people have a good idea that a trademark is a brand name or logo, and most people know that they can be registered with the government to be better protected. But what about those other general trademark issues? LGJ has focused on trademark disputes on many occasions, but we're overdue to go over some of the expanded trademark basics for the benefit of the Joystiq readers.

So, with trademarks, as with copyrights, there's a common law protection as well as a Federal registry in the US. There are also state registrations for trademarks, but, ultimately, the Federal registry offers the greatest protection. In fact, there is a whole list of benefits to registration. But the point remains, simply using a name for a product creates at least some level of trademark protection. From a practical sense, though, as long as you qualify for a registered trademark, it's much better to have a registered trademark. And that trademark can basically last forever as long as you meet two relatively straightforward conditions.

Continue reading LGJ: Nagging Trademark Questions

LGJ: Nagging Trademark Questions originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 20 Jan 2010 03:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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THQ announces extension of WWE renewal notice; Pachter explains

Alexander Sliwinski — Wed, 28 Oct 2009 11:30:00 EST

THQ announced today that World Wrestling Entertainment has extended a deadline that allows the publisher to renew its licensing contract. The extension lasts until December 21, 2009 -- the original deadline was November 1. If signed, the agreement would be good through December 31, 2014.

THQ is cool with the WWE, but it's not very chummy with JAKKS Pacific, its longtime partner in the WWE licensing venture. The wounds also run deep between JAKKS and the WWE. When asked for comment on the license renewal and further details regarding the three-way deal, a THQ representative told Joystiq that the publisher plans to renew its contract with the WWE, and then added, "Beyond that, I cannot comment."

The business, politics and legal issues are certainly complicated. We spoke with Wedbush Morgan analyst Michael Pachter who laid out multiple scenarios, but in the end he believes the most likely outcome is that the joint venture between THQ and JAKKS will be terminated. If JAKKS enforces its (believed to be one-year) non-compete clause, then no WWE games can be produced. Neither side would benefit from that, however.

Pachter suggests that the WWE's renewal deadline was extended to give THQ and JAKKS time to settle their issues. What it sounds like to us: THQ and WWE want to move forward as a couple, and the previous arrangement, featuring JAKKS as the third wheel, has worn out its welcome. Check out Pachter's complete analysis after the break.

Continue reading THQ announces extension of WWE renewal notice; Pachter explains

THQ announces extension of WWE renewal notice; Pachter explains originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 28 Oct 2009 11:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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LGJ: First Sale and Digital Distribution

Mark Methenitis — Thu, 13 Aug 2009 20:00:00 EST

Each week Mark Methenitis contributes Law of the Game on Joystiq ("LGJ"), a column on legal issues as they relate to video games:

Ever since the Glider opinion was handed down late last year, there's been a resurgence of calls for courts to uphold the first sale doctrine with regard to all software. One such suit, featured in the latest Jurimetrics, concerned ligation over consumers as "owners" versus "licensees," since different copyright rights are granted based on the particular status. The court determined that players were licensees, thus negating certain rights of owners. We've talked about first sale before in LGJ, but generally in the context of retail products. In the context of retail games, no matter where you stand on the "owner" versus "licensee" position, nothing is stopping you from reselling the copy of the game you purchased.

Digital distribution changes this dynamic dramatically, however. As digital distribution mechanisms become more and more popular, it seems inevitable that the courts will have to eventually weigh in further on the owner versus licensee question. In fact, if those who run digital distribution systems wish to steer well clear of potential government involvement in their businesses, inclusion of certain features may mitigate the first sale question so that consumers have more rights and aren't in need of protection in that regard.

Continue reading LGJ: First Sale and Digital Distribution

LGJ: First Sale and Digital Distribution originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 13 Aug 2009 20:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Ghostbusters dev targeting more Infernal Engine licensees this year

Jason Dobson — Fri, 15 May 2009 19:30:00 EST

Terminal Reality hopes other developers ain't afraid of licensing the studio's Infernal Engine to use on future projects. In fact, the Ghostbusters dev's VP of sales and marketing, Joe Kreiner, tells GI.biz that his goal is to secure "at least another half a dozen to a dozen within the next year, at minimum." An attainable goal, according to Kreiner, which if achieved would put the number of customers in Terminal Reality's containment unit somewhere in the neighborhood of twelve since the middleware first opened up to developers in February.

Rather than a short-term solution, Kreiner further notes that the Infernal Engine was designed to work across multiple CPUs and SPUs, something the marketing chief believes "future-proofs" the tech for use on later console platforms down the line. In the short term, however, he adds that Ghostbusters shows off the engine "really well." Hopefully other studios will come calling now that the game's publisher merry-go-round has (hopefully) stopped ahead of the title's anticipated June launch.

Ghostbusters dev targeting more Infernal Engine licensees this year originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 15 May 2009 19:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Rumor: Next Call of Duty possibly set in Vietnam

Griffin McElroy — Sun, 03 May 2009 16:00:00 EST

Treyarch's Noah Heller mentioned shortly before the release of Call of Duty: World at War that the developer was probably going to lay off World War II for a while, leaving many to wonder what the stage of operations for the next CoD would be. If a report from That VideoGame Blog proves accurate, Activision may be taking the franchise to a much groovier era -- the 1960s. (Anno Domini, that is -- though who are we to assume 1960 B.C. wasn't equally groovy?)

TVGB is reporting that an anonymous, "trusted" source informed them Activision's been looking to license "Vietnam War era tunes, as well as Cuban, African, and Soviet Union music." The source mentioned that Heller (and, assumedly, Treyarch) is involved in the aforementioned license hunting. As with all rumors spawned by anonymous tipsters, we encourage you to take this rumor with a two-ton boulder of salt -- just to be safe, we've contacted Activision for a comment.

[Image]

Continue reading Rumor: Next Call of Duty possibly set in Vietnam

Rumor: Next Call of Duty possibly set in Vietnam originally appeared on Joystiq on Sun, 03 May 2009 16:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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LGJ: User Content Creation Crisis

Mark Methenitis — Mon, 03 Nov 2008 19:00:00 EST

Filed under: Features

Each week Mark Methenitis contributes Law of the Game on Joystiq ("LGJ"), a column on legal issues as they relate to video games:

It appears there has been a bit of a controversy over the recent changes to the PSN Terms of Service with regard to user-generated content, which seems to be at least in part tied to the release of the Sackboy epic Little Big Planet. Of course, user-created content is nothing new, and neither is the management of the licenses associated with that content. However, it seems like as good a time as ever to discuss the issue of managing the intellectual property rights of user created content and what that can mean for you, the user, and them, the game companies.

I guess we should get back to basics, though I'll skip the intellectual property primer this time around. When users create content for games, they're creating intellectual property that would likely qualify as a derivative work. After all, what good is the content outside of the game? Some types of mods are more derivative than others, depending on how much is taken from the original work. But the point remains, it's at some level a derivative work. In this case, however, there is at least an implicit authorization for the user to create the work based on the virtue of the developer giving the user the tools to do so. In this way, we're not dealing with a situation identical to, say, machinima.

Continue reading LGJ: User Content Creation Crisis

LGJ: User Content Creation Crisis originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 03 Nov 2008 19:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Law of the Game on Joystiq: Much Ado About Game Night

Mark Methenitis — Wed, 04 Jun 2008 20:00:00 EST

Filed under: Features

Each week Mark Methenitis contributes Law of the Game on Joystiq, a column on legal issues as they relate to video games:

Ah, the library (the place with books, not the bar). The once quiet and relaxing readers' domain has moved into the digital age, now containing computers and video games. In fact, a number of non-profits, like libraries, churches, and schools, have all found video game based events worthwhile to attract players of all ages to their establishments, or to add more entertainment to an existing event. GamePolitics actually raised an interesting question I had also received from a reader related to library and church game nights, specifically: What are the potential ramifications of holding these events from a copyright and EULA perspective?

It's actually a very good question, albeit one with a fairly nebulous answer. As was pointed out by the GamePolitics piece, there are licensing services that will acquire the proper license for the public performance of a movie. Similarly, groups like ASCAP have well established licensing procedures for music. The reasoning is that public display and performance are within the bundle of rights a copyright holder has. Therefore, in order to publicly display something, you need to have the copyright holder's permission in the form of a license. Of course, if it were this simple, I wouldn't be writing a column about it.

Continue reading Law of the Game on Joystiq: Much Ado About Game Night

Law of the Game on Joystiq: Much Ado About Game Night originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 04 Jun 2008 20:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Fox will handle Halo licensing (yeah, just licensing)

Christopher Grant — Tue, 19 Jun 2007 15:28:00 EST

Filed under: Culture, Microsoft Xbox 360

And now for something completely different. Though the corpse of the Halo film project once co-produced by Fox and Universal is still warm, that hasn't stopped Fox from looting the grave -- just six months after its untimely demise -- for Master Chief's lucrative MJOLNIR exoskeleton and all sorts of other tchotchkes they know we'll want. You see, they haven't decided to go back to making the movie, but they have signed a deal to become the primary licensor for Halo merchandise, and what timing!

With action figures, and branded controllers arriving just in time for the September 25th launch, Fox is poised to capitalize on all that hype with "a broad array of products, from books to apparel to collectible merchandise." But don't expect it to stop there! Elie Dekel, exec VP of domestic licensing for Fox, "said he's confident his division can continue to sell licensed products in the next few years until a fourth Halo game comes out." Or maybe, if they sell enough Master Chief underwear, they'll just keep going until the movie comes out. Eventually.

[Via X3F]

Fox will handle Halo licensing (yeah, just licensing) originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 19 Jun 2007 15:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Why we're excited : Sony's new licensing department

Peter Vrabel — Fri, 04 May 2007 19:07:00 EST

Filed under: News

SCEA recently announced a new licensing department to help permeate the Sony name amongst its many markets. It appears their intent is to "increase awareness of the company's brands and characters, and to expand collaborations with new and existing business partners." (The butchering of a beloved franchise like Twisted Metal by Uwe Boll has our stomachs in knots). Personally, we hope to see more creativity with this licensing department than just the standard action figures, messenger bags and film adaptations. We'd much rather prefer a more unique take on a proven franchise. Imagine Twisted Metal as an adult cartoon, stylized in the spirit of Frank Miller? But why stop at mere film adaptations? Why not the idea of collaborations between development studios? For example, a SOCOM-based strategy game, as told by Konami, made to fit the PSP? As long as we're allowing our imaginations to run a little wild here, how about EA's take on the Motorstorm or Jet Moto franchise, ala Road Rash? Portable, muddy and delicious Road Rash? Yum.

While it may be quite a stretch to think Sony's new licensing department would allow such a top-selling IP to simply walk out the door and into the hands of an indie development team, it's not entirely unheard of. After all, look at Sega's collaboration with both Gearbox and Obsidian Entertainment on the Alien franchise and Disney's past collaboration with Square Enix for Kingdom Hearts?

So, a question to you, dear reader. Have you ever wondered what it would be like if your favorite development studio took on the reigns of a first-party Sony title and reimagined it as a PSP title? Dare to dream, because you never know ...

Why we're excited : Sony's new licensing department originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 04 May 2007 19:07:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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