HOLLYWOOD -- Cartoon Network has signed an exclusive first-look deal with publisher Take-Two Interactive to develop vidgames based on its youth-oriented shows, while Warner Bros. has awarded Electronic Arts the license to develop a game tied to its upcoming "Catwoman" pic.
Both deals are being supervised by Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment, the recently formed division that oversees vidgame development for Time Warner properties.
Multiyear deal with Take-Two gives the publisher first look to make games out of future Cartoon Net shows aimed at 6-to-11-year-olds -- virtually all of the web's programs, with the exception of its latenight Adult Swim lineup. The two companies will start working together while skeins are in early development stages.
Take-Two is more known for controversial, adult-oriented games such as "Grand Theft Auto." This deal will give it the opportunity to reach a younger audience, while Cartoon Network is hoping to get more involved in game development.
"They want to grow in the kids space, and we want to be stronger in gaming, so it's a nice match," said John Friend, senior VP of Cartoon Network Enterprises, the net's licensing division. "We're hopeful the deal will go beyond licensing and we'll be able to work together to create an interesting space in the gaming business."
First game to come out of the deal is an adaptation of Cartoon Network's No. 1 show, "Codename: Kids Next Door." It will be available on Game Boy Advance by this year's holiday season and on consoles in 2005.
Cartoon Network has previously released 17 games from a number of different publishers, including Sega and Majesco.
Meanwhile, Cartoon Net sister company Warner Bros. revealed it has picked Electronic Arts to create a game based on "Catwoman" that will be tied to pic's July 30 release.
Unlike with many games tied to films, however, the stars of "Catwoman," including Halle Berry, won't be providing voices, although EA did nab the right to use Berry's likeness.
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