According to Reuters, as Comcast plans to spin off NBCUniversal, the media giant is setting its sights on the video game field to seek new growth opportunities. People familiar with the matter revealed that NBCUniversal is "evaluating opportunities in digital games and new entertainment IP."
Comcast announced on Monday (June 29) that it would split NBCUniversal. According to Reuters, after the split is completed, NBCUniversal will explore a number of new businesses including games. However, sources noted that any gaming-related deals won't happen "for some time before the split is complete," which is expected to take up to a year. At the same time, this is just one of several options the company is evaluating and is not a sure thing.
If NBCUniversal does enter the gaming industry, the large number of well-known IPs owned by its parent company Comcast will become important assets. Potential IP that could be adapted into games includes:
Illumination Entertainment Animation:Family-friendly IPs such as "Despicable Me", "Minions" and "Shrek";
Universal Pictures Classic Series:Action blockbusters such as "Jurassic Park" and "Fast and Furious";
Horror/Thriller IP:"Purge", "Megan" and other horror themes that have potential for game adaptation.
In addition, NBCUniversal may also build up its own research capabilities by acquiring game studios it intends to sell and bring development teams under its umbrella.
It's nothing new for Hollywood studios to get involved in the gaming industry in recent years. Disney continues to expand in the game field through a combination of licensing and self-research; Warner Bros. Games has proven the huge potential of movie IP in the game market with works such as "Hogwarts Legacy".