With the announcement yesterday that the Hollywood special effects studio cofounded by Titanic director James Cameron has hired a president of its Interactive Media division, gamers may soon be playing games with superior special effects. Debra Streicker-Fine, founder of Cloud 9 Interactive and formerly with the marketing division of Disney Interactive, was named president of Digital Domain Interactive Media.

　　Digital Domain already has one blockbuster PC title under its belt - although its unlikely that GameSpot readers have taken this million-plus seller for a spin. Barbie Fashion Designer is a certifiable success in the charts, but face it, if the choice is whether to make another dress for your Barbie Doll or get your hands on the nearest rail gun, well, need I explain?

　　Streicker-Fine told GameSpot News there are more PC titles in the works at Digital Domain (she mentioned current ongoing projects with Mattel and Lego) and that the company currently has a PlayStation developers license and is considering developing console titles for the N64 and/or Sega's new Dreamcast console. "We're cautious; we're watching Dreamcast," Streicker-Fine told us. She said serious Dreamcast consideration would take place only after the console had an installed base of at least a million.

　　In her new position, she hopes to create more brand awareness of the Digital Domain name among gamers. To that end, Digital Domain will focus on strategy titles. However, games will have to share the spotlight with Interactive TV, Internet applications, and distant learning (classroom-like instruction over the Web) projects as those areas, too, fall within her responsibility.

　　As was the case with Barbie Fashion Designer and Mattel Media, Digital Domain will continue to joint-venture with companies in game development and seek revenues from back-end royalties.

　　And while her division numbers around 30, she has the resources of about 50 Digital Domain staffers when her projects are up and running. Digital Domain, located in Venice, California, employs close to 500 staffers.