The acclaimed Hollywood director and producer, Steven Spielberg, has signed a long-term exclusive deal with publisher Electronic Arts. The deal will require the famous director to create three brand new intellectual properties while working with Electronic Arts' Los Angeles based studios. It is said that EA will be the owner of these games.
Speaking through a press release, EA Los Angeles Studio vice president, Neil Young said, "It's really the first time a filmmaker, and a filmmaker of Steven Spielberg caliber will collaborate at this level on an original game. He understands how our medium works and wants to push it in different directions, putting innovations in a game that no one has ever seen before."

According to Young, the deal requires much more of Spielberg's interest in the videogames rather than just be there for quick consultations. Making it a move quite similar to how director Peter Jackson had been collaborating with game developer Ubisoft while developing King Kong, the game. "It will be several years before the first of three Spielberg-EA games hits store shelves”, Young added.

Spielberg, whose films such as Jurassic Park, Saving Private Ryan, E.T and Raiders of the Lost Ark don't require any introduction for the videogame crowd, seemed very excited about the deal as he has been an avid gamer for years.

He commented in an official statement, "I have been playing EA games for years and have watched them master the interactive format. Having watched the game industry grow from a niche to a major creative force in entertainment, I have a great deal of respect for EA's understanding of the interactive format. I'm looking forward to working closely with the team in Los Angeles."

The deal between a major Hollywood director and one of the biggest gaming publishers explains a lot about the mutual interests and opportunities that both of these industries hold for each other. It is another big step towards building a positive relationship between videogames and movies.

We'll be right on top of this story as it develops. Stay tuned!