MTV partners with Bruckheimer to launch game studio

MTV is partnering with movie mogul Jerry Bruckheimer to launch a game development studio tasked with creating new interactive games. Financial details were not disclosed, but the partners say that with the launch, they hope to create new, groundbreaking interactive video games, which have a storytelling component. Van Toffler, President of MTV Networks, says he hopes that some of the games created will result in TV and movies based on characters within the games.

In Aug, Viacom's MTV announced that it had set aside USD500m for investments in gaming ventures in the next two years. USD100m of that figure is for developing and distributing casual games across its Nickelodeon Kids and Family Group-branded websites. The cable giant has been encouraged to invest more in game development following the launch last month of its music simulation game, 'Rock Band', which features 45 tracks from the likes of Nirvana and Metallica, and is considered a success. At the time, MTV also said that it plans to incorporate its game development into future programming plans.