Major games publisher Ubisoft has announced it will be handling the game adaptations of Sony's two debut animated films.

Following on from the commercial and critical success of Pixar and, to a lesser extent, Dreamworks, Sony Pictures are throwing their hat in the CGI-animated film ring. Their debut features, Open Season and Surf's Up will be released in late 2006 and summer 2007 respectively, and offer familiar tales of celebrity-voiced animals and their predicaments.

The licensed games for the films will be developed by the acclaimed Ubisoft Montreal, the team behind the Splinter Cell series. This will most likely be the start of a longer-term relationship between Sony Pictures and Ubisoft.

"The slate of films from Sony Pictures Animation offers tremendous opportunities to develop truly unique and entertaining games," said Yves Guillemot, chief executive officer at Ubisoft.

"Ubisoft's long-term agreement with Sony Pictures allows us to be part of the creative process from the very beginning, working closely with the animators and directors on the vision and tone of the games. We are amazed by the quality of their work and their stories which will no doubt enthral the public. Their films will entertain audiences both young and old - who we hope will relive their theatre experiences by interacting with the story through truly captivating games."

The games will be released to coincide the films' theatrical openings, so we'll probably be seeing them on Nintendo's next console, rather than the Gamecube.