Report: EA's First Spielberg Collaboration Detailed

Consumer website C&VG has revealed what it claims is the first details of one of a set of three games which acclaimed movie director Steven Spielberg will be producing in partnership with Electronic Arts’ Los Angeles studio (EALA). The collaboration was first announced in October 2005 and follows Spielberg’s long term interest in the video games industry, which culminated in the formation of the Dreamworks Interactive studio, which was sold to Electronic Arts in 2000 and formed the basis of EALA. Before the sale, Spielberg was credited with providing the “initial concept” for the first Medal of Honor game on the PSone. The new, so far unnamed, game also has a World War II theme, according to the site, and will center on the British Special Operations Executive (SOE). The SOE, often referred to as Churchill's Secret Army, was an organization initiated by Winston Churchill and Hugh Dalton in July 1940 to conduct spying and sabotage mission in occupied Europe. Although the SOE did have a number of American operatives, it is unclear whether Spielberg intends to focus on this aspect, or indeed, exactly what his role in the game’s development will be. Electronic Arts however has intimated that the game will come across as “James Bond meets Medal of Honor” – both currently Electronic Arts franchises. The game is expected to be formally unveiled at E3 in May, although it is unclear when the other two projects will be announced or what their current stage of development might be.