Namco Snags Peanuts License

April 20, 2005, 11:40 am EDT
Total comments: 21

The Japanese publisher gets the rights to another American classic.

NAMCO AWARDED LICENSE TO PUBLISH "PEANUTS(R)" VIDEO GAMES

Legendary Comic Strip Coming To Multiple Video Game Platforms

SANTA CLARA, Calif., (April 20, 2005) - Leading video games publisher and developer Namco Hometek Inc. today announced that United Media has awarded Namco the interactive entertainment publishing rights to "Peanuts," the renowned comic strip created by Charles M. Schulz. The partnership allows Namco to create and publish games featuring "Peanuts" characters and properties, including Charlie Brown, Snoopy, Peppermint Patty, Linus and Pigpen for all current and upcoming game platforms through 2009.

"'Peanuts' is one of the most celebrated comic strips of all time, and Charlie Brown and his friends have firmly cemented their place as American icons of the highest order," said Jeff Lujan, Business Director at Namco Hometek, Inc. "We relish this opportunity to continue these beloved characters' storylines through the medium of games and are honored to introduce this cherished property to an all-new generation of gamers."

Debuting in just seven newspapers in 1950, "Peanuts" has since been enjoyed by millions of readers and viewers worldwide. Today the popular strip can be read in over 2400 newspapers in 75 countries and 21 languages worldwide. Charles M. Schulz's unique art style and endearing characters have inspired an entire generation of cartoonists, while becoming a perennial favorite with both parents and children through compilation books, television specials, and countless consumer products.

Talkback

ThePermApril 20, 2005

Oh my god! This is groundbreaking news!!!!

Spak-SpangApril 20, 2005

I am trying to figure out what kinda game could be made with Peanuts. The only ideas I come up with are:

1)Edutainment software
2)RPG of some sort.
3)Collection of Mini Games
4)Really bad platformer type of game staring Snoopy.

Ian SaneApril 20, 2005

Namco's next incredibly out-of-date licences to acquire:

Military Comics and other WWII era comics. Buy war bonds to stop the Japanazis!
At the Hop. A thrilling game based on a one hit wonder from the 50s.
That really old movie that the Smashing Pumpkins ripped off for the "Tonight Tonight" video.
New Kids on the Block

FamicomApril 20, 2005

I want my Punky Brewster side scroller.

MaleficentOgreApril 20, 2005

They could make an awesome sidescrolling shooter with snoopy and the red barron.

StrellApril 20, 2005

Omg. Super Smash Brothers + Peanuts characters.

The pure unwrought beauty of it all.

couchmonkeyApril 20, 2005

I think the Peanuts tennis game on Gameboy Color was supposed to be really good. That said, this is one unlikely liscence. It's like Namco said, "We need to liscence some stuff! Oh crap, everything worth liscencing is already taken! Start grabbing up the dregs!"

I think they should make a game where you devise ways for Charlie Brown to suffer. You get more points based on how complicated and unlikely his downfall is. I mean, that would fit into the comics well and it's a little different from anything else out there.

joshnickersonApril 20, 2005

Good grief!

Bill AurionApril 20, 2005

Quote
Originally posted by: joshnickerson
Good grief!

Nooooo, you beat me to it!

nickmitchApril 20, 2005

Punt the BALL!!!

RobotorApril 20, 2005

AAAAAAAAUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUGGGGGGGHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

my qoute wins!

Hostile CreationApril 20, 2005

This is brilliant. You realize they can make a Popeye/Peanuts/Gumby brawler now, right? They're going to buy all the classics and make smash hits that reintroduce retro cartoon brilliance to the world, breaking through previous barriers of. . .

Yeah, I can't go on with that any longer. I don't get this at all.

DjunknownApril 20, 2005

At worst, if Namco messes things up, most people won't care. The old timers won't give a crap, since the'll be ranting on how kids shouldn't be gaming anyway....

At best, it could be what Sega/Treasure did with Astro Boy. Though Popeye is probably the only one who could pull off the badass look anyway. He's the original badass for crying out loud! Snoopy can be bad too. Really, he can...

Imagine when we're in our 40s, someone digs up Garfield or Dilbert and make them into games....

gallyApril 20, 2005

Quote
Originally posted by: DjunknownImagine when we're in our 40s, someone digs up Garfield or Dilbert and make them into games....

Garfield got two games. One made in the US, which was a generic platformer of the "great animation but floaty play control" variety, and one made in Japan called "A Week of Garfield" which was rather...strange and not well made, but I like it more.

Don'tHate742April 21, 2005

hehe....I like how everyone says "SNAGGED!" or "GRABBED!" the licence, when really...the owner was pleased to give it to them.

meh...

KDR_11kApril 21, 2005

I've played a Peanuts game on the PC. It was entertaining from the perspective of a 10 year old.

DweditApril 21, 2005

I think we're missing the obvious... Earthbound! Ness looks like he'd fit right in with Charlie Brown, being a clone of peanuts style characters and all.