Electronic Arts conjures up multiplatform plans for Potter vidgames

Winning one of the most sought-after kids licenses of the year, video game developer Electronic Arts has announced that it will develop digital games based on the Harry Potter book series and upcoming live-action feature film from Warner Bros.

In addition to creating games for the standard console, PC and hand-held platforms, EA will also design a web game to take advantage of its exclusive content deal with AOL, thus tapping into a potential audience of 25 million users. EA will work closely on the games with Potter scribe J.K. Rowling, as well as WB director Chris Columbus and executive producer David Heyman, and product will likely start to roll out worldwide closer to the movie’s theatrical debut next fall.

Mattel Interactive brings quaking new interactive hybrid toy to the holiday market

Giving kids more bang for their buck this Christmas season, Mattel Interactive and Fisher-Price are readying for the November launch of Rescue Heroes Earthquake Emergency CD-ROM with Command Communicator. For US$29.99 (SRP), players ages four to seven don their favorite Rescue Heroes persona and save a city from an earthquake by dousing fires with water cannons, saving stranded sailors, etc.

Via the Command Communicator, a wireless interactive walkie talkie hooked up to a computer-connected control panel, wee gamers can also direct action from a distance and access over 50 phrases made famous by Nelvana’s Rescue Heroes TV show.