Luc Besson's forthcoming animated adventure set to appear on PlayStation2, handhelds and PC at the end of 2006...

Infogrames has today announced that it has been granted the license to develop videogame adaptations of Luc Besson's feature length animation, Arthur and the Mininoys. Best known for movies such as Fifth Element and Leon, Besson's animated adventure follows the story of a boy called Arthur and his two friends Selenia and Bétamèche as they try to stop the destruction of the Minimoys (which are only a couple of millimetres in height) and their homeworld.

In the game, which will be released on PlayStation2, PSP, PC, GameBoy Advance, and Nintendo DS players will have to use the combined skills of all three children as they try to complete the various missions needed to help the Minimoys.

'We are pleased and proud to take part in this international adventure and EuropaCorp's forthcoming film. 'Arthur and the Minimoys' is sure to be an animation blockbuster. Technology will really bring out the sensitivity and energy of the world Luc Besson has created. By working with the film crew from day one, not only have we stayed extremely faithful to the film, but we have also developed parallel adventures specifically for the game, which should be popular with the public,' said Atari Group Chairman Bruno Bonnell.

'When you make a children's film, your primary intent is to introduce kids to a new world that is both fantastic and exciting. Atari's video game will keep the film's adventure alive by allowing players to step into the characters' shoes to explore and try to save the world of the Minimoys,' said Luc Besson, director of the film 'Arthur and the Minimoys'.

Adapted from his own four part adventure books, Besson's animation is set for release at the end of 2006 with the videogames aimed for around the same time.

We'll have more news shortly...