HELSINKI, Finland-Motion picture licensing continues to play a major role in the wireless gaming market as players scramble for the rights to upcoming blockbusters including “Spider-Man 2,” “I, Robot” and “Van Helsing.” Games based on such heavily promoted movies generally enjoy better sales, but also include sometimes expensive licensing agreements with movie studios and licensing companies.
First, video game company Activision said it will sell a game based on the upcoming “Spider-Man 2” film for Nokia Corp.’s N-Gage mobile-phone/video-game device. The companies said the game, which will feature four three-dimensional levels and 15 two-dimensional levels, will be available this summer.
Separately, wireless entertainment publisher Mobile Scope said it expanded its relationship with Twentieth Century Fox with an agreement to develop wireless games and content for the company’s upcoming “I, Robot” feature film starring Will Smith. Mobile Scope said it will unveil a suite of products in time for the film’s release. Mobile Scope has previously scored deals for “Ice Age” and other Fox properties.
Finally, 3D company Superscape Group plc said it scored the rights to the upcoming “Van Helsing” movie through a deal with Universal Studios Consumer Products Group. Superscape said it will develop a new 3D game based on the film, which stars Hugh Jackman and Kate Beckinsale.
