Bourne franchise born again via EA

New games based on the Bourne books by Robert Ludlum are to be made by EA.

The publisher has forged a deal with Ludlum Entertainment, the company which manages the deceased author’s estate, after Activision-Blizzard jettisoned the licence after acquiring Vivendi Games last year.

With the exclusive worldwide licence in hand, EA has signed up Swedish independent Starbreeze Studios to make a game based on the Jason Bourne character – made famous by Matt Damon in the Bourne trilogy of films.

"Robert Ludlum’s Jason Bourne is the most exciting action hero to emerge in decades, thrilling audiences around the world," commented Mike Quigley, group vice president of marketing, EA Games Label.

"EA is excited to enter into a long-term relationship with Ludlum Entertainment, bringing the action, intrigue and intensity of Robert Ludlum’s fiction to life for casual and core gamers around the globe."

Jeffrey Weiner, chairman and CEO of Ludlum Entertainment and executor of the Ludlum estate added: "The continued global popularity of Robert Ludlum’s works is a testament to the care he lavished on his characters and storylines.

"Robert Ludlum made thrilling stories accessible and real. EA has brought that same level of realism to the gaming world. We are confident EA’s unparalleled production ability and marketing reach will establish the Jason Bourne Series in games as powerfully and successfully as it exists in books and film."