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.