Electronic Arts Inc. will create digital versions of Hasbro Inc. games like Monopoly, Scrabble and Tonka, the entertainment companies said Friday.
The deal, whose financial details were not disclosed, seeks to capitalize on the growing popularity of casual games, which are easier to play and target a mass audience beyond hardcore players.
As part of the agreement, EA, the world's largest video game publisher, has exclusive rights to create digital games based on Hasbro's toys and board games. The games will run on consoles, PCs mobile, online and handheld devices.
Hasbro, in turn, will receive rights to bring some of EA's franchises to toys and traditional games.
The companies plan to launch the first games next year. The agreement runs through the end of 2013 and may be extended for another four years.
EA rival Activision Inc. already has the rights to publish games based on one of Hasbro's properties. 'Transformers the Game' is the official game of the recently released movie.
|