Atari announced that it is developing a video game based on acclaimed director Luc Besson’s upcoming animated feature, Arthur and the Minimoys. The action-adventure title will be released for PlayStation 2, PSP, Nintendo DS, Game Boy Advance and Windows in conjunction with the movie’s North American theatrical debut.
Arthur and the Minimoys tells the story of a 10-year-old boy who hopes to save his grandmother’s home from being demolished by seeking his grandfather’s treasure, which is hidden in the land of the Minimoys, a race of tiny, magical creatures who live in harmony with their environment. With the help of Princess Selenia and her brother, Betameche, Arthur has a string of adventures on his way to the forbidden city ruled by the evil M the Malicious. The voice cast features Madonna, Snoop Dogg, Mia Farrow, Freddie Highmore and David Bowie.
According to Atari CEO Bruno Bonnell, the development team has been working with the film crew from day one to ensure that the game remains extremely faithful to the film. As they move through the various Minimoy environments, players will encounter menacing enemies and varying gameplay elements including driving, fighting, flying and puzzle solving. Players can only progress by cleverly combining the skills of Arthur is an acrobat, Selenia the warrior and Betameche the marksman. The PlayStation 2, PSP and PC versions are being produced by Lyon-and Paris-based Etranges Libellules, which has created games based on the French animated features Asterix XXL and Kirikou. The Nintendo DS game is developed by Dreamon, and the Nintendo Game Boy Advance version by Mistic.
“When you make a children’s film, your primary intent is to introduce kids to a new world that is both fantastic and exciting. Atari’s video game will keep the film’s adventure alive by allowing players to step into the characters’ shoes to explore and try to save the world of the Minimoys,” says Besson.
Chairman of production company EuropaCorp, Besson is best known as the director of such cult action hits as La Femme Nikita and The Fifth Element. Arthur and the Minimoys is based on his 2003 children’s book of the same name, one in a series of four tales involving his Arthur character. EuropaCorp is producing the film while Weinstein Co. co-president of production Michael Cole and director of production and development Michael Schaefer are overseeing for the distributor. For more information on the property, visit www.arthur-lelivre.com.
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