Cecil Consults With The Collective For 2K's Da Vinci Code

2K Games has announced an exclusive worldwide agreement with Sony Pictures Consumer Products to publish and distribute current generation console video games based on The Da Vinci Code fil from Ron Howard, based on Dan Brown's best-selling novel. Interestingly, however, the games are being developed by The Collective, a division of Foundation 9 Entertainment, and the developer of the Star Wars Episode III game. In particular, Charles Cecil, originally UK-based Revolution Software founder and designer of the critically acclaimed Broken Sword adventure series, which has some shared themes and atmosphere with The Da Vinci Code, is consulting with the California-based development team to aid in the game's design. Revolving around secret societies, ancient cover-ups and calculated vengeance, the gameplay in The Da Vinci Code, according to 2K Games, will feature action-oriented suspense for seasoned gamers and The Da Vinci Code fans alike. The press release also mentioned that there are now more than 38.6 million copies of the novel in print. "We are thrilled to work with Sony Pictures on one of its most anticipated film properties," said Christoph Hartmann, Managing Director at 2K Games. "The Da Vinci Code is exactly the type of high-caliber licensed property 2K Games looks for when developing movie-based games." The Da Vinci Code games are expected to be available in May 2006, likely to coincide with the film's release, but it appears that next-generation titles are not currently planned. [UPDATE: 11/03/05, 11.55am PST - updated to clarify Cecil's consultation role.]