We knew that Paramount was 'very, very excited' about the games space, but today we're getting the first look at how that enthusiasm will translate into a publishing business. Variety reported today on Paramount's expanded interactive department, which will put a focus on mobile, handheld and casual games because ... well, because they're cheap to develop and businesses like money.

The games wing isn't completely separate from the films business though, Paramount will only be putting its muscle behind new licenses and catalog titles (it will continue to license properties out to other companies). So ... catalog titles, eh? Dare we hope? Is it finally time for the whip-snapping, bullet-dodging action ... of Pootie Tang: The Game?

Paramount tells MCV that the studio would like to increase its presence in video games and even establish a publishing division. Paramount Digital's General Manager of Worldwide Distribution, Alex Carloss, says being part of Viacom gives Paramount inroads into many worlds and the studio is "very, very excited" about growth into the "interactive entertainment market." He concludes, "You're going to see an awful lot more from Paramount in the space."

When asked if Paramount would follow Warner Brothers into third-party games publishing, Carloss replied it would be "imprudent" to give "guidance" on that. Being a part of a behemoth like Viacom certainly has its advantages. Another Viacom child, MTV, is set to spend $500 million over the next two years, and initial investments seem to be paying off.

[Via GameDaily]

The high-definition format war was due for a shakeup. Following yesterday's news that Paramount will be ditching Blu-ray in favor of HD-DVD exclusivity, Twentieth Century Fox and MGM (whose video releases are, not coincidentally, handled by Fox) pledged more support for the Sony-backed Blu-ray, citing the format's dominant sales compared to HD-DVD.

That pledge totals 29 new Blu-ray releases by the end of the year, which breaks down as follows:

• Six new films from Fox, including Fantastic Four: Rise of the Silver Surfer and Live Free or Die Hard, that will be released day and date with the DVD version.
• Four day and date (for U.S. only) Blu-ray and DVD new releases from MGM
• 19 titles deemed "must have on Blu-ray" from the two studios' collection

Additionally, Fox has promised to bring television drama Prison Break to Blu-ray. According to the announcement (via GameDaily), Fox said it intends to release "at least one state-of-the-art title per month featuring numerous BD 'firsts.'"

[Via PS3 Fanboy]

"It was the only warning we would ever get..." And without any warning, the Transformers movie teaser has arrived four days early. Paramount and Dreamworks have given us a pleasant surprise for the holiday weekend, but I wouldn't count on the multi-platform game launching ahead of schedule next Spring. It has been six months since Activision acquired publishing rights, and they still haven't announced a developer.