EA Inks Game Deal with Robert Ludlum

By Geoff Duncan February 3, 2009

Game studio Electronic Arts has announced it has reached a deal for the exclusive game licenses to the works of writer Robert Ludlum, including the well-known Jason Bourne franchise, recently re-popularized in a trilogy of films starring Matt Damon. Terms of the deal were not disclosed, but EA has already sent it’s first game to be built on the Jason Bourne franchise off to Sweden’s Starbreeze Studios for development.

“Robert Ludlum’s Jason Bourne is the most exciting action hero to emerge in decades, thrilling audiences around the world,” said EA Games Label group VP of marketing Mike Quigley, in a statement. “EA is excited to enter into a long-term relationship with Ludlum Entertainment, bringing the action, intrigue, and intensity of Robert Ludlum’s fiction to life for casual and core gamers around the globe.”

Ludlum was a prolific writer of espionage, mystery, and thrillers; he died in 2001. Ludlum Entertainment, which manages the rights to the author’s works, also has several film deals in place with Universal, MGM, Paramount, and Summit Entertainment.

Sweden’s Starbreeze Studios also develops The Chronicles of Riddick video game.

The move makes sense for Electronic Arts, which—like pretty much every other game studio—wants to create franchises that keep selling new titles year after year…and tapping into an existing media franchise like the Jason Bourne series makes the job even easier. Of course, writers have already faced difficulty translating Ludlum’s books to the screen (anyone remember the version of The Bourne Identity with Richard Chamberlin?), opting in the recent installments for simplified stories with cinematic flash and highly complex action sequences. EA will likely follow the same approach with Bourne-based video games, tapping into the action reputation of the recent film installments.

Previous Bourne-based games were published by Sierra Entertainment.

Former Digital Trends Contributor

Geoff Duncan writes, programs, edits, plays music, and delights in making software misbehave. He's probably the only member…

Gaming

Ubisoft confirms Assassin’s Creed remakes are in the works

Basim perched on a ledge overlooking Baghdad

In a company interview with CEO Yves Guillemot posted on the Ubisoft website Thursday, the executive reveals that there are remakes of Assassin's Creed games in the works, although he doesn't specify which ones.

"Players can be excited about some remakes, which will allow us to revisit some of the games we've created in the past and modernize them," he says, implying that it could pertain to games made before Odyssey. "There are worlds in some of our older Assassin's Creed games that are still extremely rich."

Gaming

Surfaced patent shows what an Xbox streaming console would’ve looked like

An Xbox Series X sits next to both Series S models.

There have been a few Xbox devices that have never come to fruition, one of which was Keystone, a prototype for an affordable game streaming device you could hook up to your TV or monitor. Thanks to a surfaced patent, we've gotten an even closer look at what it would've potentially looked like.

The patent, first spotted by Windows Central, gives us a more complete view of the device. We've previously seen the Keystone in the flesh. Microsoft Gaming head Phil Spencer is known for hiding teases and interesting collectibles on the shelf in his office. In a 2022 X (formerly Twitter) post congratulating Bethesda on Fallout's 25th anniversary, you can see a small white device on the top shelf that's actually a Keystone prototype. Xbox told Digital Trends that it was a version of the device made before it decided to "refocus our efforts on a new approach.”

Gaming

Wordle Today: Wordle answer and hints for June 28

Someone playing Wordle on a smartphone.

We have the solution to Wordle on June 28, as well as some helpful hints to help you figure out the answer yourself, right here. We've placed the answer at the bottom of the page, so we don't ruin the surprise before you've had a chance to work through the clues. So let's dive in, starting with a reminder of yesterday's answer.
Yesterday's Wordle answer
Let's start by first reminding ourselves of yesterday's Wordle answer for those new to the game or who don't play it daily, which was "ORDER." So we can say that the Wordle answer today definitely isn't that. Now, with that in mind, perhaps take another stab at it using one of these Wordle starting words and circle back if you have no luck.
Hints for today's Wordle
Still can't figure it out? We have today's Wordle answer right here, below. But first, one more thing: Let's take a look at three hints that could help you find the solution, without giving it away, so there's no need to feel guilty about keeping your streak alive -- you put in some work, after all! Or just keep scrolling for the answer.

Today’s Wordle includes the letter D.
Today’s Wordle uses two vowels.
Today's Wordle can refer to a large number of animals, particularly livestock like cattle or sheep, that are moving together in a group.