Paramount Pictures is setting up a new group to focus on video game initiatives and publishing

Paramount Gets their Game On

Seth Gilbert, 03-28-2008

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paramount gaming It’s game on for Paramount. The movie studio has plans to jump into gaming and has formed a division within their interactive department to fund the development (and publication) of gaming titles, according to Variety.

The game studio, about which information remains slight, will be largely run by Matt Candler who previously worked at Grind Games and Activision. His title will be VP of Interactive Development.

Sandi Isaacs, Paramount’s VP of interactive and mobile content told Variety that the studio will look to invest in all types of games from casual and mobile on up to possible console games.

“There’s going to be a slate where in some cases we’re publishing, in some cases we’re co-publishing, or in others we’re funding development and another publisher buys it. It’s important for us to have a flexible model,” she said.

Emphasis on lower cost Internet or Mobile games will likely be a substantial part of their focus.

At this point, no numbers or capital commitments have been expressed, but with parent Viacom and Paramount’s sister company MTV Networks pledging vast sums on gaming, along with likewise at Viacom’s Nick properties, the move is sure to be well funded. It’s a natural, even overdue, extension of ongoing strategy across the properties. It also fits like a glove given a development deal struck in December with producer Jerry Bruckheimer and the trends of movie and gaming convergence (which has been discussed in detail here).

Also joining the management team is former Sega and Fox executive Luke Letizia who will handle interactive licensing.

Among other gaming properties, Viacom also owns Guitar Hero developer Harmonix. Viacom Chairman Sumner Redstone owns game publisher Midway as a separate entity.

Metue.com

Paramount Gets their Game On

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