D3 Publisher Opens Europe Branch, Signs Flushed Away

D3 Publisher, the Japanese budget-game king who opened an American arm in 2005, has expanded again with a newly created European branch. The European arm will follow the method of operations of the American D3P, which concentrates on licensing animation IP rather than create original budget games or localized versions of the parent Tokyo company's product. D3P of Europe is based in Cambridge, UK, and will publish as its first title Flushed Away for PlayStation 2, Nintendo GameCube, Nintendo DS, and Game Boy Advance in the fourth quarter of 2006 - the title will also be released by D3P in North America. The games will be released alongside the film, a new animated feature from Aardman, makers of Wallace & Gromit and Chicken Run. The games will be developed by Vicious Cycle for console, and Altron and ART for handheld. "This agreement with DreamWorks Animation SKG is a significant milestone for D3Publisher of America and for our new operation, D3P Europe," said D3P vice president of licensing and business development Careen Yapp. "Our blueprint for success has always included both original intellectual properties, as well as licensed titles from top entertainment companies. Flushed Away will be a key title for us in 2006 and we are very pleased to be working with the DreamWorks Animation team to deliver a fun gaming experience that expands on the computer animated feature film."