Oh SNAP!MGM and EON Grant Activision Rights to James Bond Video Game License    
SANTA MONICA, Calif., May 3 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- MGM Interactive and  EON Productions Ltd. have awarded Activision Inc. (NASDAQ:ATVI) the rights  to develop and publish interactive entertainment games based on the James  Bond license through 2014.    
This marriage of best-in-class intellectual property and next-generation  gaming expertise continues the Bond franchise's long legacy of providing  thrills to audiences around the globe.  Since the initial release of Dr. No  in 1962, James Bond films have grossed more than $3.6 billion theatrically  worldwide and approximately 30 million units of video games based on the  world of James Bond have been sold to date.  James Bond continues to delight  audiences worldwide with a quintessential blend of action, glamour and  sophisticated style synonymous with top secret agent 007.    
"James Bond is the ultimate action movie franchise, and we look forward to  establishing a long-term relationship with MGM and EON," said Mike Griffith,  president and CEO of Activision Publishing Inc.  "The James Bond franchise  creates tremendous global expansion opportunities for Activision as it is  one of the few video game licenses that appeals equally to domestic and  international consumers.  James Bond storylines are rich with style, drama  and action, all of which lend themselves perfectly to developing  extraordinary games that capture the thrill of being the most celebrated  secret agent in the world."    
Under the terms of the agreement, Activision will obtain the worldwide  rights to create video games for all current and next-generation consoles,  PC and hand-held platforms.  The license will grant Activision the right to  develop and publish games based on all of the James Bond movies, as well as  non-movie based games.    
"MGM Interactive continues to work with best in class publishing and  development teams, to ensure we deliver both memorable and fully immersive  interactive gaming experiences for both core and mass-market gamers," said  Travis Rutherford, MGM's executive vice president, Consumer Products and  Location-Based Entertainment.  "Activision's proven expertise in developing  cutting edge games, their core competency in managing large movie franchises  combined with the global appeal of the James Bond property, will create a  new benchmark for the next-generation gaming experience.  We are excited to  be partnered with Activision and look forward to a long and mutually  successful partnership."    
"Activision's track record of developing engaging and sophisticated games  across all platforms makes it the ideal partner to introduce the Bond  videogame experience to a new generation of game players, as well as to  provide new thrills and excitement for the legions of people who are already  fans of the Bond films and games," said David Pope, CEO of EON Productions  Limited, maker of the James Bond films.