Disney Interactive Acquires Junction Point Studios

More kiddie games, only this time they'll be coming from Warren Spector:
Disney Interactive Studios Acquires Video Game Visionary Warren Spector's Junction Point Studios

Entertainment and video game leaders team up for new franchise creation

BURBANK, Calif. (July 12, 2007) Disney Interactive Studios today announced that it has acquired Austin, Texas-based Junction Point Studios, a video game development studio led by industry luminary Warren Spector. Junction Point Studios will create new video game franchises and will also bring some of Disney's most beloved franchises to next generation gaming platforms. The studio is currently working on a yet to be announced next-generation development project.

(Warren Spector's unique talents as a leading creative force in the world of video games, his knowledge and passion for Disney, and his legacy of story telling and character development adds a unique creative dimension to our portfolio,) said Graham Hopper, general manager and executive vice president, Disney Interactive Studios. (Our shared visions on creativity, innovation and storytelling will allow us to touch individual players in ways never before possible.)

A lifelong Disney fan, Spector recognizes the opportunity to overlay Disney content and resources on top of exceptional game design to create unique experiences for players. Junction Point Studios' creative team brings to Disney a powerhouse of gaming talent.

(I believe that the creative talents of our two companies and our shared ambition to bring distinctive, compelling experiences to gamers make this an ideal alliance,) said Warren Spector, president, Junction Point Studios. (We look forward to bringing exciting, innovative and entertaining new experiences to gamers and Disney fans alike.)

Junction Point has become the fifth studio in Disney Interactive Studios' growing portfolio of development creative centers of excellence. As a talent hub for video game development, Austin adds another region to Disney's internal development studio growth strategy.

About Disney Interactive Studios

Disney Interactive Studios is the interactive entertainment affiliate of The Walt Disney Company (NYSE: DIS). Disney Interactive Studios self publishes and distributes a broad portfolio of multi-platform video games and interactive entertainment worldwide. The company also licenses properties and works directly with other interactive game publishers to bring products for all ages to market. Disney Interactive Studios is based in Glendale, California and has four internal game development studios around the world including Avalanche Software, Fall Line Studio, Propaganda Games and Black Rock Studio.

About Junction Point Studios

Junction Point Studios is an Austin, Texas-based independent developer of innovative singleplayer and small-group multiplayer console and PC games. The company's focus is on player-driven narrative, defined as "improvisational gameplay in the context of a strong, traditional narrative." The goal is to tell stories with players, not to them, allowing them to craft unique experiences through in-game choices. At Junction Point Studios, innovation is a core value each game advances the state of the art in some demonstrable way while delivering the highest quality possible in gameplay and presentation.