Topic: Marvel Launches Videogame Section

[WindyMan]

From comic books to videogames, Marvel wants to make sure they control it all.

Marvel Forms Video Game Group to Accelerate Growth in This Powerful Entertainment Category

Industry Veteran, Ames Kirshen, to Lead Group and Drive Growing Pipeline of Marvel-Branded Video Game Projects

    NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Jan. 15, 2004--Marvel Enterprises, Inc. (NYSE: MVL), a leading global character-based entertainment licensing company, announced today that Ames Kirshen has been appointed as Manager Of Game Development, a new position at Marvel. Mr. Kirshen, who has over six years of experience in the production and management of video game projects, will lead a small group to oversee the development of all licensed video games based on Marvel characters, including the creative content, along with other members of Marvel's Publishing division. Mr. Kirshen will report to Gui Karyo, Marvel's President of Publishing, who will supervise the overall game development process. Mr. Kirshen will also work closely with Tim Rothwell, Marvel's President of Worldwide Consumer Products, to foster new licensing relationships with video game publishers. Revenues from video game licensing will continue to be reported within the licensing division.

    More than five Marvel character-branded video games will be released between now and December 2005 through existing video game license agreements with Activision, Encore, Universal Games and THQ. Mr. Kirshen will be responsible for overseeing the full Marvel video game development slate including the final production of the highly anticipated Spider-Man Movie II game and ongoing production of the Fantastic Four video game, both of which are being developed by Activision. In addition, he will lead the effort in exploring new opportunities in game genres where Marvel is currently either not represented or is under represented.

    "The multi-billion dollar video game industry continues to be a significant revenue opportunity for Marvel and a high-profile, powerful vehicle to build the awareness of Marvel's brands," said Gui Karyo, Marvel's President of Publishing. "Our appointment of Ames to serve as an in-house Executive Producer and creative liaison for our interactive licensees and game developers allows us to increase the quality, playability and marketing power of this influential product category, fueling higher licensing income and consumer exposure for Marvel."

    Prior to joining Marvel, Ames Kirshen spent the past six years with Warner Bros. and DC Comics where he helped produce major game titles such as Ubi Soft's "Batman: Vengeance" and "Batman: Rise Of Sin Tzu" and Atari's "Superman: Shadow Of Apokolips".

 

In 2002 and 2003, videogames based on Marvel properties sold over six million copies, including the Spider-Man, X-Men, Blade, Daredevil and Hulk titles. Upcoming Marvel games that this new department will oversee include The Punisher, The Fantastic Four, Iron Man, and sequels to the previous games.