RTV piggybacks on Energee’s post-merger convergence efforts

As part of its recent acquisition of Australia-based Energee Entertainment, Germany’s RTV Family Entertainment has gained control of an early convergence concept called eKidz. Developed by Energee, eKidz is a bundled TV show (eKidz) and website (www.ekidz.com.au) package scheduled to launch on December 1. Australia’s Optus cable channel OH! will air the TV component, which targets kids ages four to 14 with local stories (kid-created and narrated), cartoons, interactive hooks and a web-born animated kid host named Morris Dotkom. The website will feature free e-mail access, chatrooms, unique episodes of Energee-produced animated series and games based on this programming. eKidz staffers will also use the site to channel story ideas and promote local events and competitions.

Sound Source pairs book-based bear clan with extreme sports in latest Game Boy offering

In a weird blend of classic book characters and adrenaline sports, Sound Source Interactive is hoping to hook holiday shoppers with Extreme Sports with the Berenstain Bears, a Q4 Game Boy Color title for kids ages five to eight. The game is based on a book franchise that has sold more than 240 million copies worldwide, as well as spawning a DTV release called Berenstain Bears, the Movie, which will roll out later this year. In the GBC game, which carries a suggested retail price of US$19.99, players compete as their favorite Bear in six extreme sports events, including dirt biking and freestyle kayaking.

Infogrames goes with superhero vet for global game launch

The Man of Steel will soon be leaping onto video game platforms in a single bound. Software publisher Infogrames Entertainment has signed a deal with Warner Bros. Consumer Products and DC Comics to develop Superman titles under its I-Heroes label for all leading consoles from Sony, Sega and Nintendo. The games will be designed for two distinctly different demographics. Titles based on Warner Bros.’ Superman animated series will be geared towards kids and teens, while those based on contemporary Superman comic books will skew towards hardcore gamers and long-time fans of the franchise.

THQ taps LucasArts adventure properties for handheld titles

LucasArts has granted gameco THQ worldwide rights to publish an array of Game Boy Color and Game Boy Advance titles based on its Star Wars and Indiana Jones properties. Developed by LucasArts, the first two games to come out of the deal will be Obi Wan’s Adventures in November and Indiana Jones and the Infernal Machine in spring 2001. The publishing deal also covers four additional GBC games that are in the works for later in 2001.