Even know this applies mostly to the movie industry, it also applies to videogaming.

SONY SAYS ' LIGHTS, CAMERA, ACTION' AS MGM ENTERS THE FOLD

Sony to buy major movie studio. What does the future hold for 007, Rock et al?

17:16 Not content with its large grip on gaming and electronics, Sony yesterday made a bold move to snap up prestigious movie studio MGM, a move that could have immediate ramifications for the publisher' s gaming line-up.

Think about it. James Bond is a major MGM movie license. So is Rocky. So is Robocop - all massive gaming icons (okay, well maybe not that last one anymore), and all stars of titles not published by Sony. Once the deal for MGM goes through, you have to wonder what effect this might have on the games industry, with the Bond license, especially, currently owned by EA.

Would the super agent smoothy be set for a career solely devoted to Sony platform stardom? Although it is far too early to say, you have to admit, it' s far from unforeseeable.

Plus, with a huge stock of other brilliant action titles in the MGM archives, you have to wonder what Sony might fancy digging up for other potential movie spin-offs - American Ninja 2? Death Wish? Mad Max? Double Impact? Blacula...?

Hell, forget about retro gaming compilations, we might see a retro movie star-in-game compilation. How about Norris Vs. Van Damme, just for starters...


Stephen Daultrey