Mobile videogame publisher
Gameloft has added the popular Fox TV show, "The O.C."
to its collection of Hollywood-licensed cell phone games, which
also includes "The War of the Worlds" and "Peter
Jackson's King Kong." The first game in the multi-year license
will launch in 2006.
According to Michel Guillemot,
President, Gameloft, the game will allow players to assume the role
of one of the four main characters from the show, or create an original
character. The game will provide a gaming environment similar to
"The Sims," allowing fans of the show to explore "The
O.C." universe by dressing to impress, joining the right cliques,
dating the right people and striving to fit into the ultra trendy
community," said Guillemot.
"The
game was designed with the intention of capturing a realistic
and true environment that mimicked the show, yet provide new
elements to it that was specific only to the game," said
Guillemot. "We took into consideration the pivotal moments
of the last two seasons and worked to create a realistic O.C.
environment."
Gameloft
is taking the creative lead on the game, but the publisher will
continue to collaborate with "The O.C." show creators
on the game.
"Television
shows tend to run longer, so the buzz and excitement surrounding
a show like 'The O.C.' is pretty consistent and makes it easier
for game companies to launch additional versions," said Guillemot.
"Films are different in the sense that all the glamour and
allure of Hollywood is rolled into one title."
The
advent of TV on DVD, coupled with repeats of the show, and the potential
for eventual syndication, allows a popular TV show to stay in the
consumer eye for years. Whether based on a Hollywood film or TV license,
the role of a videogame remains to entertain and engage a mass market
audience, while a side benefit is the extension of that Hollywood
brand during and beyond the traditional release windows.
