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                Video Game-maker Activision Launches Film Studio

   by Reuters

   Activision Blizzard Inc. has launched a film and TV studio to create
   original content based on its popular video game franchises such as
   "Call of Duty" and "Hearthstone" in its latest push to expand beyond
   console-based games.

   Activision Blizzard Studios' first production will be "Skylanders
   Academy," an animated TV series based on the company's toys-to-life
   video game "Skylanders," the company said in a statement.

   A "near-term" project for the video game-maker's film and TV studio
   will be to develop a movie franchise based on the hugely successful
   military first-person shooter "Call of Duty."

   The company said it would also consider adapting the franchise for TV.

   "Warcraft," Activision's other well-known game franchise, is already
   being made into a film through a partnership between its Blizzard
   Entertainment unit and Legendary Pictures, and is slated for a 2016
   release.

   Activision said last month it would start an e-sports division to tap
   into the fast-growing competitive gaming market, where gamers play
   against each other for prize money.

   Earlier this week, Activision agreed to buy "Candy Crush" creator King
   Digital Entertainment Plc for $5.9 billion to sharpen its focus on
   mobile games.

   Activision's highly anticipated "Call of Duty: Black Ops III" game went
   on sale earlier on Friday.
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   film-studio/3044755.html

References

   1. http://www.voanews.com/content/video-game-maker-activision-launches-film-studio/3044755.html