Vivendi Universal Publishing has announced that it has secured the North American distribution rights to all video game and PC products from Interplay Entertainment, with the exception of Neverwinter Nights. The agreement, which lasts through 2003, grants Vivendi the distribution rights to such Interplay products as Baldur's Gate: Dark Alliance for the PS2, the Giants console conversions, Run Like Hell, and the upcoming Matrix video games.

　　"Interplay has a steady track record of developing strong franchise titles that have already established a loyal following in the gaming community," said Philip W. O'Neil, senior vice president of sales at Vivendi Universal Interactive Publishing North America. "The addition of Interplay to our distribution portfolio is another example of how we are strategically broadening our market position and creating partnerships in which both parties benefit from the other's key strengths."

　　"By leveraging the marketing and distribution capabilities of Vivendi Universal Publishing, we will be able to maximize the exposure and reach of Interplay's highly anticipated games," said Brian Fargo, CEO and chairman of Interplay. "We look forward to working with Vivendi Universal to deliver high-quality franchise hits in 2001 and beyond."

　　The first games to be released under the agreement will be Baldur's Gate: Dark Alliance and Giants: Citizen Kabuto for the PlayStation 2. Both games will be released by the end of the year.