HotGen developing TV Games with JAKKS

Croydon-based developer HotGen has announced a partnership with JAKKS Pacific to develop a range of "plug and play" TV game systems featuring a combination of retro classics and original titles.

The devices, which plug directly into the input ports of televisions and feature an integral joystick controller, are sold across the USA and Europe in toy outlets, and have proven hugely successful.

HotGen has already completed work on five games, including Pac-Man, Ms Pac-Man, a Disney compilation, Classic Arcade Pinball and a SpongeBob Squarepants title, and has several more in the pipeline.

"After a difficult time in 2003, it has been great fun working with JAKKS to bring back such treasured retro franchises as Pac-Man," according to HotGen boss Fergus McGovern. "As a developer, it is wonderful seeing your product actually hit the shelves and to critical acclaim."

"JAKKs have really propelled themselves into a market leading position with this range of joysticks and have secured an array of top licenses to refresh the line-up," he continued. "We are also developing original games based around popular themes, allowing our design teams to really get the most from the console inside the joystick."