Software publisher Acclaim Entertainment Inc. elevated its corporate profile Thursday with a deal to create arcade games with Sega Enterprises and a separate agreement to purchase Voyager Communications for $ 65 million in cash or common shares.
The new games will use new technology from Sega, a Japanese interactive entertainment giant, that can produce three-dimensional computer graphics and realistic sound, the companies said.
Big plans
Oyster Bay-based Acclaim said its first project under the deal will be a coin-operated game based on an upcoming movie. It also expects to publish software based on its coin-operated games for home use.
"We are extremely excited about our entry into the coin-op arcade market, as well as the further enhancement of our already mutually beneficial and successful relationship with Sega," Acclaim said.
Acclaim, which also produces software for Nintendo, said it is building an interactive media facility in New York that is scheduled to open this summer.
Acquisition of the publisher of Valiant Comics remains subject to completion of due diligence, execution of a definitive agreement, and various regulatory and third-party approvals, including Acclaim shareholders.
Comic property
Acclaim said New York-based Voyager is the third-largest comic book publisher in the U.S., publishing 16 monthly comic books under the Valiant imprint, custom comic books and licensing its properties for third-party merchandise.
The company said Steven J. Massarsky, Valiant publisher and chief executive, and other key executives will continue to lead Valiant's publishing operations under long-term employment agreements with Acclaim.
Contact Variety Staff at
news@variety.com