Topic: Disney Creates Nintendo-Focused Development Studio

[Svevan]

Fall Line Studio will create Disney franchise games and new IPs for Nintendo DS and Wii.

Although Buena Vista Games has published several Disney games for Nintendo consoles, it is interesting that Disney is supporting Nintendo so thoroughly as to create a new studio dedicated to DS and Wii. The new head of Fall Line Studio was formerly with Rainbow Studios which developed the THQ published Cars for  GameCube and Wii. It is very likely that from this point on we won't see Disney franchises, like Cars, outsourced to developers like Rainbow. In the same way, Disney support for Microsoft  and Sony machines may dwindle if Fall Line becomes their franchise flagship.    

Buena Vista Games Announces Fall Line Studio    

New Development Studio Focused on Becoming a Center of Creative Excellence for Nintendo Platform Video Games    

BURBANK, Calif. & SALT LAKE CITY--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Buena Vista Games, Inc. (BVG), the interactive entertainment affiliate of The Walt Disney Company (NYSE:DIS), today announced the formation of a new video game development studio dedicated to creating innovative games for Nintendo platforms. Based in Salt Lake City, Fall Line Studio’s focus is to develop games based on Disney’s characters, television shows and entertainment franchises as well as creating new intellectual property for the Nintendo DSâ„¢ and Wiiâ„¢ game systems.    

Built around a core of industry veterans, the studio will focus on small-team, creative projects that leverage the Disney brand in new and innovative ways. Fall Line Studio will operate as a sister studio to Buena Vista Games’ award-winning Avalanche Software studio, also in Salt Lake City, giving the company an advantage in reaching the strong pool of creative talent in the region.    

Industry veteran Scott Novis will serve as vice president and general manager for Fall Line Studio. Prior to this position, Novis served as general manager of Rainbow Studios where he grew the staff from 30 to more than 200 employees. His experience in the video game business and knowledge of the industry will allow Fall Line Studio to capitalize on the power of the Disney brand and deliver innovative games for the mass market.    

“This studio will be one of our centers of creative excellence and it gives us the ability to fully capitalize on our properties and expand our market share on Nintendo platforms," said Graham Hopper, senior vice president and general manager of Buena Vista Games. “Scott Novis brings the perfect mix of team building and relevant business experience to the position of studio head for Fall Line Studio. “    

“The opportunity to grow a new studio for Buena Vista Games after success with Rainbow is right in line with my goal to create great games for the mainstream," said Scott Novis, vice president and general manager of Fall Line Studio. “BVG has an excellent management team, a can-do corporate culture and a treasure trove of great intellectual properties that make it exciting for us to start something new."    

BVG has a strong reputation for creating games for Nintendo platforms and is the No. 3 publisher of Game Boy® Advance titles in North America. The strength of the company’s famous characters, Disney Channel properties and entertainment intellectual properties provide Buena Vista Games with an unparalleled deep catalog of content.

[joshnickerson]

Didn't see anything in that press release about the games not sucking...

[Svevan]

Developers are not required to mention the quality of their games while shilling them.

[ThePerm]

maybe this is to make games higher quality?

[Crimm]

Quote
Originally posted by: ThePerm
maybe this is to make games higher quality?

That's the funniest thing I've ever read.

[King of Twitch]

Finally a studio devoted to movie franchise cash-ins other than Konami. The next gen can finally start.

[Arbok]

Hey, sounds like some exclusives to me. Sure I will never buy them probably, but the more support the better.

[Galford]

I don't know if I should laugh or cry....
The way Ars-Technica made it sound they want to create a lot of WarioWare style games....

[ThePerm]

then again the reason forthe otehr studio may be because interface on Wii and Ds is so advanced compared to other systems

[Vrgin X1]

Yeah, that's exactly what we need, more Disney licenced garbarge to further the fact that Nintendo's systems are for the 7 and under set.

Yeah, that's the ticket.

Meh, I'll go play Red Steel instead.