NBC's The Office To Be Turned Into Video Game

So they have already re-made the hit UK series into a hit American series. Why not make the characters at Dunder Mifflin into a hit interactive series? Right?

In a somewhat strange deal with network television's NBC Universal, MumboJumbo games has licensed the rights to "The Office" which will be recreated as a casual video game. The plan is to turn The Office into a inexpensive game where players must finish odd jobs around the office as well as join in office pranks.

We were anxious to expand our audience with a property that has broad appeal and works well as a game," said MumboJumbo VP of product development Mike Suarez. "It will help us to demonstrate that casual games are the true mass videogame market.

MumboJumbo will more then likely create the game for small handheld like the Nintendo DS and PSP, as well as a downloadable for the PC on NBC's web site. The company is free to use any characters from the show as well as feature clips and audio tracks from the series. So far there looks to be no plans for the Live! Marketplace or PS3 Downloads. Bummer.

Full Press Release

DALLAS, TX - June 20, 2007 - Premium casual games publisher MumboJumbo today announced a new relationship with the Universal Pictures Digital Platforms Group to develop a mass-market game based on the Emmy Award-winning television series "The Office." Developed and published exclusively by MumboJumbo, The Office game will be available for online download and across multiple game platforms, including PC, PSP(R) (PlayStation(R)Portable), and Nintendo DS(TM), starting this fall.

"The cast and creators of 'The Office' have done a fantastic job delivering a show with a personality all its own," said Bill Kispert, vice president and general manager, Interactive, Universal Pictures Digital Platforms Group. "MumboJumbo is an innovator in the casual games space, and developing a game with them that combines the quirky characters and humor of the show with a proven, addictive game mechanic we think will be welcomed by fans and casual game players alike."

"We are honored that NBC Universal has chosen us to be their partner for this exciting new project," said Mark Cottam, chief executive officer of MumboJumbo. "We look forward to working closely with their team to ensure that the thematic elements of 'The Office' are closely approximated in the development of the video game."

MumboJumbo has vast background in bringing beloved brands to games and will collaborate closely with NBC Universal to create an experience that will further engage fans of "The Office" in the franchise.

Via MumboJumbo.com