BILLUND, DENMARK - June 7, 2010
The LEGO Group and Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment today announced a distribution partnership for LEGO® Universe, releasing the second half of 2010. LEGO Universe will be the first MMOG – massively-multiplayer online game – based on the LEGO play experience for gamers of all ages. Under the deal, Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment will be the exclusive retail distributor of LEGO Universeoutside of LEGO channels.
“WBIE has tremendous reach as one of the industry’s largest full-scale games publishers, which will enable LEGO Universe to access a broader audience of kids and families interested in online gaming,” said Henrik Taudorf Lorensen, Vice President, LEGO Digital, the LEGO Group. “We believe this partnership will be mutually beneficial for both companies, as well as end users, and are pleased to work with experts in the space on retail distribution for LEGO Universe.”
Developed by the LEGO Group and NetDevil, LEGO Universe will enable players of all ages to build, create, interact with friends, battle, and explore LEGO worlds – past, present and future. The MMOG is currently in a closed beta, with the game scheduled to release later this year.
LEGO Universe is a family-friendly online game, appropriate for players aged eight and above, centered around an epic battle between creativity and chaos. The LEGO brick lies at the center of the experience, and several levels of building are available, from simple gameplay-oriented challenges all the way up to sophisticated brick-by-brick design. With a focus on creativity and building, LEGO Universe invites players to flex their imaginations with the iconic brick in a vibrant online world.
“The LEGO Group has long been a leader in family entertainment, and we are excited to help extend the brand into the online arena through an MMOG platform with LEGO Universe,” said Martin Tremblay, President, Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment. “We look forward to expanding our relationship with the LEGO Group beyond what we’ve already established with the successful TT Games’ titles. LEGO Universe builds upon the LEGO video games business in an exciting new way.”
Thank you Wooton for reporting this.
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http://universe.lego.com/en-us//Media/default.aspx?section=140025&category=141107
10 comments:
Sim will give the blogger points later.
If you look at the Minifig mission it is now down to a week
In essence, what does this mean? Why does LEGO need Warner Bros. to distribute LU? LEGO already has a number of video games, all of which they managed to distribute on their own. Why do they suddenly need help? I wonder if LEGO is being taken over? Warner Bros. is worth nearly 10 times more than the LEGO Group so technically it is possible. But then again, LEGO has teamed up with Disney to get the Toy Story and Cars LEGO sets, and Disney and Warner are rivals in the entertainment world. Does this story have a source? If you could you post it? I would like to look into this further.
@Eragon.Saphira
I highly, highly doubt that Warner Bros. has taken over LEGO. Warner Bros. is not 10 times larger than LEGO, and it would really make no sense (or cents for that matter) for WB to buy them out. LEGO not a competitor in the entertainment industry, nor do they make any conflicting toy lines.
Although it does seem a bit odd that they would go to Warner Bros. for distribution, don't forget that they already have contract with them for the LEGO Harry Potter game. WB does have a wide range of distributive power, too. Maybe this was included in that contract somewhere?
Oh, sorry for the double post, but a few original articles about it can be found here:
www.prnewswire.com
worthplaying.com
www.foxbusiness.com
@ Eragon.Saphira
http://www.verticalwire.com/releases/1862-the-lego-group-and-warner-bros-interactive-entertainment-build-upon-their-relationship-with-an-exclusive-global-partnership-for-lego-universe-distribution
most recent LEGO games have been already distributed by Warner bros.
warner bros. owns the developer that makes the lego games, travelers tales i think they are called.
@ Anonymous. Yep, right. *Looks at the Harry Potter game years 1-4. =P
Huh. I didn't realize that Travelers Tales was owned by Warner Bros. Well, seeing as most of the newer LEGO games were by Travelers Tales, it makes sense that WB would distribute LEGO Universe, too.
Um, guys, I think this link would be more appropriate. =P
http://universe.lego.com/en-us//Media/default.aspx?section=140025&category=141107
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