The National Geographic, best known for their informative nature shows on cable and on magazine, has announced to create video games.
A unit of the nonprofit National Geographic Society, the Nationa Geographic Ventures, is set to work with graphic and game developers to make its games that will be available for PCs, consoles and even handheld devices.
Paul Levine, a National Geographic executive who is set to be the head of the new gamed division of the network, said that “Our content is extremely well-suited for a global gaming audience.” And these games will be based on the shows that were made on the channel, ranging its content and themes accross all National Geographic’s properties and scope.
The first video game is “Herod’s Lost Tomb,” a very simple game of puzzles and hidden objects, is now available for computers and the iPhone. This is based on a television show about King Herod.
With regard to the distribution of these games for consoles like the Wii and the PlayStation 3, the network is now working with Namco Bandai Games America and Sony Computer Entertainment.
Levine added that Namco Bandai’s “National Geographic: Panda” for the handheld Nintendo DS, plays something like “Nintendogs,” the 2005 virtual pet game that had you taking care of a puppy, and the aptly named “Zoo Tycoon” that puts you in charge of a zoo, will be available this month.
But just like other games, Levine makes sure that these would offer “entertainment with substance.” He also added “They are games, first and foremost.”
Other titles set to be released include “Rain Forests” and “Greencity,” slated for next year from National Geographic, as well as “National Geographic: Africa,” available next month from Sony.
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