Today Ubisoft, one of the world’s largest video game publishers, announced that it has signed a licensing agreement with VIZ Media, LLC, to develop video games based on VIZ Media’s hugely popular Shonen Jump’s Naruto animation series for the Xbox 360. The game will hit stores in North America, South America, Central America and Mexico in 2007.
Naruto takes place in a world where ninja are the ultimate power. Infused with the spirit of a once fearsome Nine-Tailed Fox demon, Uzumaki Naruto is a ninja-in-training who is learning the art of ninjutsu with his classmates Sakura and Sasuke. The trio studies under the instruction of their teacher, Kakashi, who helps the group face a series of dangerous and daunting tests and challenges. Through their adventures, the young ninjas learn the importance of friendship, teamwork, loyalty, hard work, creativity, ingenuity and right versus wrong.
“Naruto’s ninja and martial arts themes are a perfect match for video games, allowing fans to immerse themselves in the characters and become part of the action� said Cynthia Money, vice president of consumer products for VIZ Media. “As a leading global game developer, Ubisoft is an ideal partner to develop video games for Naruto that will bring out the power and emotion of the storylines.�
