Activision to Develop New TMNT Video Game Titles?

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Among the new photos from Toy Fair posted yesterday by ToyArk.com was the above photo of a sign hanging in the booth. This sign indicates that key licensees working with Nickelodeon on the TMNT property are IDW and Activision. IDW, of course, is publishing a slew of TMNT comic book titles, both new and old. Activision, however, has not officially been connected to the TMNT property.

While it is not a surprise to see Activision, who is partnered with Nickelodeon to turn many of their series into video games, connected to the TMNT, this is the first sign we've seen that something may already be in the works.

Ubisoft had previously held the TMNT license until losing it last June.

Turtles in Time Re-Shelled Going Away June 30

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Joystiq.com is reporting that TMNT Turtles in Time Re-Shelled will no longer be available after June 30, due apparently to Ubisoft's TMNT license expiring. Turtles in Time Re-Shelled is, of course, the X-Box Live Arcade and Playstation Network updated version of the classic arcade and SNES game. Obviously, if you have not yet purchased the game and you wish to, you should do so now without delay. However, it is also interesting to note the expiration of Ubisoft's license. Does this take them off the table for any upcoming games related to Nickelodeon's new CGI series, or the eventual movie from Paramount? I guess we'll just have to wait and see.

Thanks to Harris for the tip!

TMNT Smash-Up For Wii: $29.98 Today Only

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Today's Gold Box Deal of the Day over at Amazon.com is TMNT Smash-Up for the Wii, for the low price of $29.98. The regular Amazon price is $46.99, and the MSRP is $49.99, so this is a deal you don't want to miss if you've been holding out on this title. This deal will expire at the end of today, so don't wait!

Get it here!

What Happens Now: Questions and Some Answers

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Obviously, questions are flying furiously since yesterday's out-of-the-blue announcement that Peter Laird has sold the entirety of the TMNT property to Nickelodeon/Viacom. I've managed to track down a few answers that may help provide some insight on what's about to happen.

First, a few people have released public, personal statements on this transaction:

• Peter Laird - Co-creator of the TMNT, who allowed this sale to happen.
• Jim Lawson - Long-time and beloved TMNT comic book artist.
• Jake Black - Freelance Tales of the TMNT writer and source of inspiration for several fund raising efforts this year.

Some fans have noticed that certain parts of NinjaTurtles.com have disappeared, among them the catalog through which you could buy stuff directly from Mirage. Dan Berger reports, "We'll be starting a new web site soon where we're selling all the stuff we used to have posted."

Concerning the future of TMNT comic books, as Peter alludes to in his blog, some rights to publish comic books have been maintained. Dan was able to clarify that "Peter maintains the right to publish up to 18 TMNT comics per year that can be sold via the direct market and/or web site." To further clarify this, Dan states that Tales of the TMNT Vol. 2 will continue through to and conclude with issue #70, scheduled for next year. TMNT Vol. 4 will continue at a pace that only Peter Laird will be able to decide. Beyond that, they are (likely) allowed to do reprints, so long as they are between 32-48 pages, which rules out the publication of any trade paperbacks.

The inability to publish TBPs is why the "Mirage Universe" book, which had been scheduled for a December release, has now been canceled (as reported via Jake Black on Twitter and Facebook this morning).

When asked about "The Forever War" being published, Dan wasn't optimistic about its release, but added, "That's Murph's project." When asked, Steve Murphy's answer was, "I'm not sure."

While the TMNT have been sold lock, stock, and barrel to Nickelodeon/Viacom, Peter Laird stresses that he did not sell Mirage Studios. As Jim Lawson reported, Peter will continue to allow the artists to use their studio space, should they wish to. However, they would do so independently and not as Mirage Studios employees.

Dan states, "Mirage as an employer ends on December 31 of this year," then ads, "but the regular crew will be here at least 'til May as independent contractors." Dan himself forsees sticking around through at least the end of 2010.

Moving to the future as Nickelodeon has it planned, very little is known. There have been some unspecific reports that they already plan to head in a direction along the lines of the original 1980s cartoon. However, this has not been verified (and who knows if Nickelodeon is even 100% sure about which direction they'll be taking).

As for what happens with the current licensing deals already in place, a representative at Nickelodeon has stated to GamePro, "We plan on fulfilling all current obligations." This would apply to the current toy contract with Playmates Toys, as well as the video game contract with Ubisoft, among others.

The biggest unknown at the moment remains the fate of the planned movie. While a movie has been announced to be released in 2012, it is not known if this will be the same movie that had previously been on track for 2011 or if Nickelodeon will wipe the whole slate clean and begin anew. And if they do that, what direction will they take it? That is a question that remains unanswered for now.

"TMNT: Arcade Attack" Announced for Nintendo DS

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No, this isn't a breaking news flash, but Ubisoft has recently (and officially) announced the upcoming release of "TMNT: Arcade Attack" on the Nintendo DS, scheduled for later this fall. And Ubisoft has been kind enough to send along the following art and screen shots. Thanks, Ubisoft!

Cutscenes

   

Screen shots

   

Hun 1: Inked/Stroked

   

Hun 2: Inked/Stroked

   

TMNT: Smash-Up Developers' Diary + More

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Here's something that got a little lost in the chaos surrounding Comic-Con. And since it's not exactly new anymore, anyone following the latest news on this game has probably already found all of this, but here's another video and screen shot collection provided by Ubisoft.

Arcade Mode:

   

   
   

Cutscenes:

   

(Um, can the comic books look like that again? Please?)

The TMNT Guide to San Diego Comic-Con 2009!

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Here it is! You're guide to the TMNT at San Diego Comic-Con 2009! Well, the best I could put together in between throwing socks and t-shirts into a suitcase while hoping I don't forget anything.





PROGRAMMING

There are two panels of particular interest for TMNT fans. As a Special Guest at this year's Con, Kevin Eastman has a panel dedicated to him on Thursday. The TMNT 25th anniversary panel will be on Friday, having something to do with the last 25 years (exactly what and how I haven't figured out). Also, expect John Fusco to be introduced as the writer of the upcoming movie planned for 2011.

THURSDAY

1:00-2:00 Spotlight on Kevin Eastman— TMNT co-creator Kevin Eastman not only reflects on his Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle years (with a preview his Comic-Con exclusive 25th Anniversary hardcover collection of favorite TMNT stories!), but also shares sneak peeks and behind-the-scenes teasers or trailers for his upcoming animated film projects—War of The Worlds: Goliath! and Underwhere—and introduces the new Tor Books Novel line Heavy Metal Pulp and the in-development Biz and Buzz animated series. Last but not least, Kevin will give you an update on the new David Fincher/James Cameron–produced Heavy Metal film! Room 5AB

FRIDAY

4:15-5:15 Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles— This look at the whole spectrum of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (from comics to toys to TV to movies to video games) celebrates the 25th anniversary of the world-famous brand. Moderator Gary Richardson (CEO, Mirage Studios) discusses the evolution of the Turtles with those people instrumental in the characters' incredible success. Panelists include Kevin Eastman (co-creator of TMNT), Lloyd Goldfine (supervising producer, 4Kids Productions), Steve Barron (director of the original TMNT movie), Karl Aaronian (senior VP of marketing, Giochi Preziosi U.S.A.), Matt Leunig (associate producer, Ubisoft), and Galen Walker (producer of new TMNT movie slated for 2011). Room 6DE

EXCLUSIVES

• NECA will be selling the April O'Neil w/ Mousers figure.
• KEVIN EASTMAN will be selling his TMNT 25th Anniversary book at the Heavy Metal booth.
• MIRAGE STUDIOS will be selling the two Jake Black fund-raising prints at their tables in Artists' Alley.

ON THE FLOOR

• Expect Ubisoft to be demo-ing at least one of the two upcoming TMNT titles.
• As one of the participants in the button give-away (see below), expect Sideshow Collectibles to reveal new TMNT product(s).
  

EVENT

• Friday night there is a preview screening of the the upcoming TMNT direct-to-video special, "Turtles Forever." An invitation to the event is required to attend, and can be acquired by collecting five buttons available at the following locations: Ubisoft's booth, Uclick's booth, Prima Games' booth, Sideshow Collectibles' booth, and the Turtle Van, which will be parked somewhere in or around Horton Plaza.

PEOPLE TO SEE

• Kevin Eastman can usually be found around the Heavy Metal booth, though possibly with less regularity this year than others.
• Stan Sakai, creator of Usagi Yojimbo, is also a special guest at the Con this year and can be found the entire weekend around his booth, or at several scheduled panels.
• Kevin Munrore, director of TMNT (2007), will be moderating the Thursday panel Masters of the Web and previewing his upcoming movie, Dead of Night starring Brandon Routh. An autograph session in the Sails Pavilion follows the panel.
• James Arnold Taylor, Leonardo in TMNT (2007), can be found throughout the Convention at several panels and scheduled signings.
• Mike Sinterniklass, Leonardo in the 4Kids TMNT cartoon, will be on the Saturday night Adult Swim/Venture Bros. panel.

ARTISTS' ALLEY

The following people can be found in Artists' Alley throughout the weekend:

• Dan Berger
• Michael Dooney
• Steve Lavigne
• Jim Lawson
• Eric Talbot
• ... and more!

TMNT: Smash-Up New Characters Revealed

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Hey, I must be on "The List" now - Ubisoft has checked in again, this time with new screen shots and a video revealing three new playable characters: Karai, Nightwatcher, and Fugitoid. Check out the pics & video below.

TMNT Smash-Up & Turtles in Time: Re-Shelled Updates

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You probably know about the upcoming TMNT Smash-Up & Turtles in Time: Re-Shelled video games, but aside from breaking the news on the existance of TMNT Re-Shelled, I've pretty much left the gaming Web sites to take care of feeding the public with info on them, since they generally get fed all that information directly and the only thing I'd be able to do is steal their news from them and I'm just not that kind of person.

Anywho, a fine gentleman from Ubisoft was kind enough to send me an e-mail with some pictures that, apparently, have not been sent to any of the other gaming Web sites (yet). That's right, these are for Turtles fans first!

Update: Quality issues have been fixed (thanks, Ubisoft!), but I'm told that this images aren't particularly new. Well, I guess it's still something.

     

You can keep current on all the latest news on these games on the following Web sites (as well as many others):

TMNT Smash-Up
Gamespot | IGN | 1Up | Official Site
Available September 15 on Wii and September 22 on Playstation 2.

Turtles in Time: Re-Shelled
Gamespot | IGN | 1Up | Official Site
Available August 5 on Xbox Live Arcade

A New "Turtles in Time" Game

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At last week's Galabunga events in NYC, the debut of the Turtles' Party Van also revealed that a "new" TMNT video game - not the already revealed "Smash-up" game for the Wii - was in development. New, yet a game all TMNT fans are familiar with: "Turtles in Time." Only now it's been updated using modern 3D graphics. Mega TMNT fan Jason Koza was at the event (in his Casey Jones costume!) and provides the following info and pics of the game.

• The game is set up and directly taken from TMNT Turtles in Time.
• Right now it's only going to be for Xbox Live, but they're working on bringing it to Wii (Virtual Console Wiiware?).
• It has the same music as the old game.
• Only the levels "Alleycat Blues" and "Skull and Crossbones" were playable.
• The only difference noticed was the bosses for the "Skull and Crossbones" are Tokka and Rahzar (unlike the original, which had Bebop and Rocksteady).
• For Alleycat Blues the boss is still Metalhead.
• The game is basically Turtles in Time with new graphics - Awesome!

Josh notes:

Actually, Tokka and Rahzar were the bosses on Skull & Crossbones in the ORIGINAL (Arcade) version. They were moved to the (added) Technodrome level for the home version, and replaced with Bebop & Rocksteady. This means the remake is probably based on the Arcade version, meaning no Technodrome level, no Rat King, etc.

First Details of New TMNT Video Game Emerge

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The first details of next year's TMNT video game from Ubisoft, revealed to be in development last year by Steve Murphy on The 5th Turtle, have started to emerge.

There is a blurb in the new Nintendo Power and GoNintendo is reporting a few additional details from a producer at Ubisoft.

Props go to StealthNinjaScyther, Tansut, and The Ninjinister on the Technodrome for finding the links.

TMNT 2007 Licensing Show News

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Dan Berger posted this information on NinjaTurtles.com:

Mirage's C.E.O. Gary Richardson and Director of Licensing Steve Murphy attended the Licensing Show in New York City last week and here's the scoop regarding the future for the TMNT:
TMNT movie sequel: Mirage and its partners (Imagi, Warner Brothers and the Weinstein Group) are still discussing the possibility of a sequel for the CG film. Hopefully a decision will be made by the end of summer. Think positive - create good karma!
TMNT cartoon on 4Kids TV (USA): Six new episodes of "Fast Forward" will air this fall beginning in September. From January to May of 2008, 4Kids TV will air most or all of the "Ninja Tribunal" episodes (although episode #110, "Nightmares Recycled", WILL NOT be completed or aired). Series producer Lloyd Goldfine and TMNT co-creator/owner Peter Laird are currently in talks regarding a new direction for the series to take in the fall of '08, but no definite decision has been made regarding what this new direction may be. Time will tell - but mum's the word for now.
Playmates Toys: movie-themed toys will continue to be released until mid 2008. No decisions have been made yet regarding what will be released for the second half of '08. Rumors of a 5' tall robotic action figure that can talk and do seven different martial arts moves are not true.
Ubisoft: Mirage is in negotiations with Ubisoft to produce a new TMNT video game. The CG movie models will be used, although the game will be independently produced (so it won't be directly based on any preexisting media like a TV show or film). If all goes well, the game will be out in late 2008 or early 2009. More than likely it will not be released on all of the same platforms that the movie game appeared on.
A retro-licensing program will kick into high gear in 2008 with merchandise based on the 1980s TMNT cartoon series. Lots of adult-sized gear will be available! Can we get a "Cowabunga!" from the faithful? Awe yeah!
Steve Murphy will be spearheading (katana-heading?) special events and merchandise programs to commemorate the 25th anniversary of the TMNT comic book in May, 2009. It's too early to say what will be involved, but Mirage plans to celebrate this monumental achievement in style!