EA and Marvel partner on a heroic deal

Marvel superheroes like Spider-Man and Captain America will face some brand-new baddies in a series of video games in development at Electronic Arts. The first title will be out at the end of 2005. Under terms of the multiyear deal, EA will develop and distribute games featuring the Marvel and proprietary characters on all existing and future consoles, while Marvel reserves the right to develop and manage consumer products lines and media licensing initiatives based on the cast – including a line of comic books introducing the new EA characters.

Take-Two eyeballs Cartoon’s pipeline for game opps

Cartoon Network has signed an exclusive worldwide deal giving Take-Two Interactive first-look rights to develop and publish video games based on any new Cartoon Network property targeting six- to 11-year-olds to come down the line. The first property to go to the board is Codename: Kids Next Door, which will be released as a Game Boy Advance title for holiday 2004, before rolling out on other console formats in 2005.