WARNER BROS. HOME ENTERTAINMENT GROUP AGREES TO ACQUIRE HIGHLY SUCCESSFUL UK GAME DEVELOPER AND PUBLISHER TT GAMES
Burbank, CA (November 8, 2007) - Warner Bros. Home Entertainment Group today announced it has entered into an agreement to acquire TT Games, which encompasses Traveller's Tales, one of the world's largest independent game developers, and TT Games Publishing, the UK-based game publisher behind the highly successful LEGO Star Wars videogames, "BIONICLE Heroes" and many others.
TT Games was formed in 2005 with the merger of the developer Traveller's Tales and publisher Giant Interactive Entertainment. Traveller's Tales has been making games for more than 18 years, with over 42 million copies sold to date across all major platforms. The first title to be published by TT Games was the award-winning "LEGO Star Wars: The Videogame," which sold more than six million units worldwide.
"TT Games is very successful and respected in the game development and publishing world," said Barry Meyer, chairman and CEO of Warner Bros. "They are a great fit for us and the right next step for Warner Bros. as we grow into a significant presence in the games space."
In addition to the hugely successful "LEGO Stars Wars: The Videogame," which was published in 2005, TT Games released the BAFTA Award-winning "LEGO Star Wars 2: The Original Trilogy" in September 2006, which also sold more than six million units worldwide, and this week they released "LEGO Star Wars: The Complete Saga". TT Games holds the worldwide rights to develop LEGO video games. Other titles in development include "LEGO Batman: The Videogame" and "LEGO Indiana Jones." TT Games also holds the video game development and publishing rights to "The Guinness World Records" book.
"TT Games is the leading video game developer for young gamers and their families," said Kevin Tsujihara, president of Warner Bros. Home Entertainment Group. "The expertise that TT Games brings to Warner Bros. is a great match with our brands as well as an opportunity to effectively leverage our existing global infrastructure."
TT Games has two primary operations: game development, which continues to be known as Traveller's Tales, and publishing, which is known as TT Games Publishing.
"After 18 years in the video games industry, the opportunity to become a meaningful part of the world's leading entertainment company is the fulfilment of a dream," said Jon Burton, managing director of Traveller's Tales. "Now that we are part of Warner Bros., I think it's safe to say we are exactly where we want to be."
"Warner Bros. has an extraordinary track record in nurturing and developing intellectual property in television, in movies and now in games," said Tom Stone, managing director of TT Games Publishing. "That history combined with their world class distribution muscle promises a very exciting future for all of us at TT Games."
TT Games will continue to manage its existing relationships with LEGO, LucasArts, and Guinness World Records.
"TT Games will become the cornerstone of our Home Entertainment Group's family-focused games strategy," added Tsujihara. "This is a great marriage and Warner Bros. will enthusiastically encourage the ongoing growth and development of TT Games."
The closing of the acquisition is subject to the fulfilment of customary terms and conditions, including regulatory approval.
Warner Bros. Home Entertainment Group (WBHEG) develops games through its games division, Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment (WBIE), bringing both internal and external development resources to create quality gaming experiences based on the extensive brands of Warner Bros. Entertainment as well as original intellectual property to reach the ever-growing spectrum of gamers. In 2007, WBIE published "300: March To Glory" on PSP, and "Looney Tunes: ACME Arsenal" for the 360, Wii and PS2, as well as its NDS companion "Looney Tunes: Duck Amuck."
WBIE will publish "LEGO Batman: The Videogame" worldwide in 2008, as well as "Speed Racer: The Videogame," based on the feature film produced by Joel Silver and directed by the Wachowski brothers, and "Project Origin," the much anticipated sequel to the hit game "F.E.A.R" by Monolith Productions. As a licensor, WBIE continues to work with the industry leaders, Electronic Arts, Midway, Eidos and others on select properties.
About Warner Bros. Home Entertainment Group
Warner Bros. Home Entertainment Group brings together Warner Bros. Entertainment's home video, digital distribution, interactive entertainment/videogames, direct-to-DVD production, technical operations and anti-piracy businesses in order to maximize current and next-generation distribution scenarios. WBHEG is responsible for the global distribution of content through DVD, electronic sell-through and transactional VOD, and delivery of theatrical content to wireless and online channels, and is also a significant worldwide publisher for both internal and third party videogame titles.
About TT Games
The UK-based TT Games Group incorporates Traveller's Tales, one of the world's most successful developers along with TT Games Publishing, the only games publisher to specialise in interactive entertainment for young players and their families. TT Games titles "LEGO Star Wars" and "LEGO Star Wars II" have together sold over 12 million copies across the world. Traveller's Tales developed games have sold over 42 million copies around the world. For more information, visit www.ttgames.com
Contact info:
Deb Lincoln
Warner Bros. Home Entertainment Group
Tel: +44 (0) 20 7984 5032
Email: deborah.lincoln@warnerbros.com