EA inks deal for Star Wars videogames

A new wave of Star Wars videogames is coming, AFP reports. A deal announced Monday by videogame giant Electronic Arts and The Walt Disney Company calls for EA to develop new game titles across interactive platforms such as consoles for "a core gaming audience." Disney will retain certain rights to develop new titles within the mobile, social, tablet and online game categories. "This agreement demonstrates our commitment to creating quality game experiences that drive the popularity of the Star Wars franchise for years to come," said John Pleasants at Disney Interactive. "Collaborating with one of the world's premier game developers will allow us to bring an amazing portfolio of new Star Wars titles to our fans around the world." EA Labels president Frank Gibeau said of the deal: "Every developer dreams of creating games for the Star Wars universe. Three of our top studios will fulfill that dream, crafting epic adventures for Star Wars fans... The new experiences we create may borrow from films, but the games will be entirely original with all new stories and gameplay." Financial terms of the agreement were not disclosed. Star Wars came into the Disney empire last year when the Hollywood group bought LucasFilm, the studio created by George Lucas know for the blockbuster Star Wars films. Disney has already announced plans for three new episodes in the saga.