Dreamworks and Activision set to split

Dreamworks’ exclusive five-year contract with Activision will be coming to an end in 2010 – and it looks like the movie animation firm won’t be renewing the deal.

According to Variety, THQ has successfully pitched for the game adaptation of Dreamworks’ autumn 2010 movie release, Master Mind.

Activision has published games based on all of DreamWorks’ internally produced films since 2004’s Shrek 2. Recent movie adaptations handled by the US publisher included Bee Movie and Kung-Fu Panda.

The two companies’ current long-term deal, signed in 2005, ends with Shrek Goes Fourth in spring 2010.

DreamWorks Animation head of consumer products and worldwide marketing Anne Globe said the expiration of the Activision deal was the studio’s first chance in a long time to go back out to the market.

"We found we had interest from a number of the top publishers," she told Daily Variety. "THQ was the most enthusiastic and came in with the most competitive bid."

Variety reports that the deal with THQ is a one-off, and it’s not clear whether the two companies will work together after Master Mind.

Activision will continue to have the rights to make games based on sequels to films it has already adapted.