Lionsgate makes ‘significant investment’ in Telltale Games

The Walking Dead and Game of Thrones developer Telltale Games has received significant investment” from film giant Lionsgate.

The deal sees Lionsgate’s CEO Jon Feltheimer join Telltale’s board. The move is designed to extend the entertainment company’s properties into the video games sector and to allow for co-development of both existing and original IP into episodic games and TV.

Lionsgate’s previous films include The Hunger Games. It also owns Summit Entertainment, which was responsible for the Twilight film series. Its TV work includes Mad Men and Weeds.

"Our partnership with Kevin Bruner and his team at Telltale continues to accelerate our momentum in the game space," Lionsgate president of interactive ventures and games Peter Levin said. "The convergence between premium filmed entertainment brands and original game properties is a natural direction in which to continue diversifying our content business, and Telltale is the perfect partner with whom to explore this dynamic area of growth."

Telltale CEO Kevin Bruner added: "Lionsgate is one of the most innovative, entrepreneurial and impressive content companies in the world today. I’m delighted to welcome an experienced executive like Jon, a leader who shares our unique vision, to our board.

Lionsgate has a great track record in developing and marketing feature films as well as platform-defining premium scripted television. This partnership will accelerate Telltale’s ability to create not only original games, but episodic television series based on our game properties – an area at the cutting edge of industry growth."