The Walt Disney Co.’s Buena Vista Games (BVG) announced today that it will take over Classic Media’s Turok franchise for its next-generation console launch. The move is part of Disney’s strategy to branch out from kid game titles and target older, hardcore gamers with action/adventure fare. The new Turok games will be developed for multiple console and handheld platforms by BVG’s new Vancouver studio, Propaganda Games.
Turok started out as a series of comic books created by Matthew H. Murphy. First published in 1954, the comics endured for decades before being introduced for Nintendo 64 by Acclaim in 1997. Turok remained with Acclaim until last year when the struggling company lost the license due to late royalty payments.
“With the launch of the new console and handheld game platforms, we feel it is the perfect time to redefine Turok video games,” comments Graham Hopper, senior VP and general manager for Buena Vista Games. “We expect Turok to lead our growth strategy of creating action-oriented game franchises for the core gamer market.”
The Turok comic books follow the adventures of Turok and his young friend, Andar, who set out on a hunting expedition and stumble across a prehistoric valley filled with deadly predators. As a video game franchise, it has sold more than 5 million units to date.
Leave a Reply