In a surprise announcement, BAM! Entertainment have announced that they are releasing a Wallace and Gromit title on the GameCube! Read on fellow fans...

BATH, UK -- BAM! Entertainment (Nasdaq: BFUN) today confirmed the forging of a new licensing and publishing partnership with the Oscar� winning Aardman. Coming shortly after similar deals with Spyglass, Franchise Pictures and Cartoon Network, the agreement is a major coup for the British-based publisher and will result in the release of a range of exciting video games across all-formats over the coming years. A clearly delighted Anthony Williams, BAM! Entertainment's Managing Director, claimed: "This new deal confirms BAM! Entertainment's position as one of the leading software publishing companies in the world. We're overjoyed to be able to work with Aardman and bring their remarkable characters to life in a number of different video games."

Producer of acclaimed short movies such as The Wrong Trousers, A Close Shave and Creature Comforts, Aardman, winner of three Academy Awards, is celebrated for its stop motion clay animation technique. It's ability to create instantly loveable and unforgettable characters has also won it praise, and BAM! Entertainment plans to make the most of the company's talent. Anthony Williams, said: "We strongly believe that Aardman's intimate knowledge of its characters and its superior storytelling skills, combined with our proven development and marketing expertise, will result in a range of excellent video games. Not only will these games allow fans to interact with their favourite characters, but it will introduce a whole new audience to the adventures of Wallace and Gromit."

In addition to household favourites Wallace and Gromit and other Aardman intellectual property, there is also potential for new characters to be developed especially for the games. Aardman and BAM! Entertainment will work closely together, with Aardman opening up its doors to BAM!'s development teams. "We are delighted to be working closely with BAM! in bringing the excitement of our unique character portfolio to the expanding video game category," said Sean Clarke, Head of Marketing and Licensing at Aardman. "Its track record speaks for itself and ensures fans across the globe can look forward to playing a game that stays true to what they see in the Aardman films."

The premiere project of the new partnership will come to fruition in 2003, with the arrival of the first ever multi-platform Wallace and Gromit console game. Featuring Aardman's most celebrated stars, the game will be developed in close collaboration with director Nick Park and other Aardman talent. With a gripping story, quality animation, loveable new characters and fair share of laughs, the game is set to be a massive hit.