Hot off their recent purchase of Midway Games, Warner Brothers Interactive have announced that they will be publishing Amaze Entertainment's Where the Wild Things Are game, scheduled to coincide with the Spike Jonze-directed film this autum.
The game's existence has been confirmed for about two months by now, but since the game's original publisher, Brash Entertainment, went out of business, there have been a few questions about who will be handling the game. On the one hand, Brash is known for publishing pretty sub-par licensed games (apparently, if you make awful tripe, you'll go out of business -- who knew?!). On the other, Amaze Entertainment was behind the PS2 and Wii ports of X-Men Origins: Wolverine, which wasn't too shabby. Besides the above screenshot, the only piece of info I actually have about Where the Wild Things Are is that it's coming out -- I don't even know what type of game it will be.
In case you're wondering how to stretch a ten-sentence book into a big-budget game, Amaze has taken a few liberties with the story: instead of partying down at the Wild Rumpus and going home, rebellious Max must "explore the island of the Wild Things, journey across its dangerous terrain, overcome hazardous obstacles and battle fierce creatures," according to a press release (below the jump). Apparently, the Wild Things' island is about to be destroyed, and Max has to lead them to safety before it's too late.
Where the Wild Things Are is scheduled for a November release on every console since the Entex Adventure Vision, and WayForward will be handling the DS port.
WARNER BROS. INTERACTIVE ENTERTAINMENT AND LEGENDARY PICTURES PRESENT WHERE THE WILD THINGS ARE
Action-Adventure Videogame Inspired by the Upcoming Film from Spike Jonze
London – July 20, 2009 – In conjunction with the release of the highly anticipated feature film from director Spike Jonze, Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment and Legendary Pictures announce the Where the Wild Things Are videogame will be available on Wii, PlayStation 3, Xbox 360 and Nintendo DS in November 2009. Where the Wild Things Are is a Warner Bros. theatrical release from Warner Bros. Pictures, Legendary Pictures and Village Roadshow Pictures. The UK movie release is set for 11th December 2009.
In the videogame, players assume the role of the rambunctious young Max and can explore the island of the Wild Things, journey across its dangerous terrain, overcome hazardous obstacles and battle fierce creatures. After landing his boat on the mysterious island of the Wild Things – Max quickly befriends the fearsome but loveable creatures and becomes “King of All Wild Things.” He soon learns that the island is on the brink of destruction and that it’s up to him and the Wild Things to work together to find a way to escape to safety before it’s too late. Where the Wild Things Are is being developed for the Wii, PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360 by Amaze Entertainment, a Foundation 9 studio, and for the Nintendo DS by WayForward.
“Where the Wild Things Are is a beloved children’s stories and we are excited to deliver an immersive interactive experience based on and inspired by the feature film from Spike Jonze,” said Samantha Ryan, Senior Vice President, Production and Development, Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment. “Through their action-filled adventure, players will team-up with the Wild Things – each with their own unique skills or special talents – learn valuable new abilities and work together to find a way to safety.”
About Where the Wild Things Are
Warner Bros. Pictures presents, in association with Legendary Pictures and Village Roadshow Pictures, a Playtone/Wild Things Production of a Spike Jonze film: “Where the Wild Things Are,” an adventure tale for every generation, starring Catherine Keener, Max Records and Mark Ruffalo, Lauren Ambrose, Chris Cooper, James Gandolfini, Catherine O’Hara and Forest Whitaker.
“Where the Wild Things Are” is directed by Spike Jonze from a screenplay by Spike Jonze & Dave Eggers, based on the book by Maurice Sendak. It is produced by Tom Hanks, Gary Goetzman, Maurice Sendak, John Carls and Vincent Landay, with Thomas Tull, Jon Jashni and Bruce Berman serving as executive producers. The creative team includes director of photography Lance Acord, production designer K. K. Barrett and editor Eric Zumbrunnen. Music is by Karen O and Carter Burwell.
“Where the Wild Things Are” will be distributed worldwide by Warner Bros. Pictures, a Warner Bros. Entertainment Company, and in select territories by Village Roadshow Pictures. Rated PG by the MPAA for mild thematic elements, some adventure action and brief language. Soundtrack Album is available on DGC/Interscope Records. www.wherethewildthingsare.com
Just for shits and giggles, here's the epic trailer for the Where the Wild Things Are, which wins the award for "Most Awesome Use of an Arcade Fire Eong Ever."
Joseph Leray is a founding Destructoid editor and has better hair than you. He speaks French and needs to send us his updated bio in English, preferably.
Likes
Confuse Ray, Feel My Blade
A Mabari War Hound,
Snot,
Spiral Arrow,
Argo,
Dan Smith's critical hit bark,
Rolling things up into my life
Meet the rest of the team
Actually, I am almost sure that WayForward will be under this game's development. Those poor geniuses are forced to do shovelware, it's just so... wrong.
It was bound to be made. It was a movie! There has to be a game!
@Joe
That Wolverine review was for the 360 "Uncaged" version, also known as the "good" version by Raven Software. The PS2/Wii port was destroyed critically.
Don't mind me, I came here for the 'JuicyJewelry'.
Which is gonna look weird when the spammer gets deleted. But on-topic now. I don't know if a game is such a great idea. I've got special feelings about the book. I don't know if I will get the same feeling when playing the game. I think some things should be left alone.
When I first saw the trailer it gave me chills, I remember loving this book when I was a kid, and to see it come to life in a movie is even better if done right. The game I'm not so enthused about.
Destructoid is an open discussion community. You don't need to "audition" to post a comment - just speak your mind. We respect differing opinions on the site, so have at it. Be smart, funny, insightful, clueless, or cute -- but back it up with substance. Keep your cool, keep it fun. We only ask that you act respectfully and above all: don't be a troll and ruin it for everyone else. Don't bring down gamers or we'll, you know, gently shoot you in the face and stuff you into a flaming mailbox. Each comment is your opportuntity to make this community awesomer. Is that even a word?
Avoiding the banhammer only requires common sense: spamming, trolling, racism, NSFW stuff, and other forms of sucking will not be tolerated. If anyone is griefing please report abuse. Be good. Don't suck!
Contest:
4:00 AM on 07.23.2009
| 
@Joe
That Wolverine review was for the 360 "Uncaged" version, also known as the "good" version by Raven Software. The PS2/Wii port was destroyed critically.
Which is gonna look weird when the spammer gets deleted. But on-topic now. I don't know if a game is such a great idea. I've got special feelings about the book. I don't know if I will get the same feeling when playing the game. I think some things should be left alone.
Oh, and stop raping my childhood, or what's left of it.
Just don't play the game or watch the movie or play the game. It can't "rape your childhood" then, right?