U, Konami to play interactive games

'Mummy,' 'Grinch,' others to grace gaming consoles

By SUSANNE AULT

HOLLYWOOD -- Universal Studios and Konami Co. pacted Thursday to turn Universal franchises, including "The Mummy," "Dr. Seuss' How the Grinch Stole Christmas," Universal's classic monsters and "Woody Woodpecker," into a series of vidgames.

Under the terms of the five-year deal, Konami will market and distribute the games that will be produced by Universal Interactive Studios. Konami also inked a first-look option to distrib and promote future UIS games.

"The Mummy," "Grinch" and "Woody Woodpecker" will be rolled out in 2000. Further release dates will be announced in May.

"The alliance with Konami provides UIS with unparalleled global marketing and distribution," said UIS senior VP and general manager Jim Wilson.

UIS, best known for creating Sony PlayStation's Crash Bandicoot and Spyro the Dragon games, is developing projects for next-generation game consoles like Sega's Dreamcast.

Publisher of games Metal Gear Solid, Silent Hill and Castlevania, Konami is also pleased by its union with Universal.

"This partnership will give Konami an incredibly strong and diverse product portfolio for many years to come," Konami managing director Kazumi Kitaue said.