Superman flies to EA Tiburon

A week after its West Coast operation in Los Angeles laid off 60 staffers, Electronic Arts is bulking up in Florida.

Suggesting that production on a game, or games, based on the Superman license it acquired in 2003 is ramping up, EA Tiburon is advertising for a slew of talent. In a job posting on its site, Electronic Arts Tiburon lists openings for game designers, producers, and art directors to work on the game. EA acquired the rights to the Man of Steel back in 2003, but this is the first hard information on the development of a Superman-themed title. When asked to comment, a representative from EA confirmed that the pace was picking up on game development for the product.

The unnamed title from the studio, best known for sports titles such as the top-selling Madden franchise, is the studio's first non-sports project. No details have been announced, but the job listing gives hints that it will be an action game, reading: "Things have changed! EA Tiburon has taken on an action title...Superman."

The license, secured in 2003 from Warner Bros. and DC Comics, grants EA the rights not only to the Superman comic book and TV series, but also to any upcoming films featuring the superhero. Interestingly enough, the oft-delayed Superman Returns, to be directed by X-Men director Bryan Singer and starring Kevin Spacey as Lex Luthor, is scheduled to be released in 2006.

We'll have more on the title as details are announced.