Universal enters video game market

Universal is to produce video games based on its film and TV properties, Variety reports.

The studio has chosen to get into the games business so it can spend more time developing titles that tie in with their high-profile movie releases.

A Wanted game, which picks up from where the James McAvoy film ended, will be one of the first titles to hit stores. It is expected to be available on the PC, PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360 by early 2009.

Universal's Bill Kispert said the studio's venture into video games would allow it to skip negotiations with outside publishers.

"We're now running a hybrid model where we can license titles where that makes sense or kick off development earlier to put ourselves in a better position for success," he said.

Three other major Hollywood studios - Warner Bros, Disney and Paramount - all handle video game production in house.