The deal will give PLY licensing rights to a new game title based on MGM’s popular film franchise Legally Blonde.
Listed games developer PlaySide Studios (ASX:PLY) has struck another global partnership deal as it builds out a multi-channel sales strategy.
The latest agreement is with US multinational MGM, which will see PLY get licensing rights to develop a mobile game based on two of the studio’s feature films; Legally Blonde and Legally Blonde 2: Red White & Blonde.
PlaySide said the game will be free-to-play on iOS and Android, with a combination of puzzles and choice-based narratives that reflect the positive values highlighted in the film franchise.
Under the terms of the deal, PlaySide will have the legal rights to incorporate themes and branding from both Legally Blonde films into the game, which will go into development through the remainder of 2021.
The revenue-generating agreement will see PlaySide paid a licensing fee during the development phase, before a profit-sharing deal between PLY and MGM following the release of the game.
MGM Global executive vice president Robert Marick said the deal with PlaySide gives the company an ideal way to expand the Legally Blonde brand and franchise into mobile gaming.
“We are thrilled to partner with PlaySide Studios to bring these trailblazing films to mobile devices, and offer consumers a new way to interact with one of our most cherished characters, Elle Woods,” Marick said.
And for PlaySide CEO Gerry Sakkas, the deal marks an “historic” moment for the company, which has built upon its early success working with other Hollywood studios for animated titles such as Spongebob Squarepants.
“Since the company was founded, I have always wanted to license a major Hollywood brand for the development of a mobile title,” Sakkas said.
In that context, Sakkas said he “couldn’t think of a better partner in MGM — an iconic Hollywood studio with a rich 90-year history of premier movie titles”.
Today’s agreement is the latest in a run of positive partnership deal flow for PlaySide, which is the only ASX-listed games developer based in Australia.
In February, the company announced a separate marketing deal with multi-channel entertainment company Click Management, which manages a roster of global gaming influencers who collectively drive more than 700 million pageviews per month.
This article was developed in collaboration with Playside Studios, a Stockhead advertiser at the time of publishing.
This article does not constitute financial product advice. You should consider obtaining independent advice before making any financial decisions.