Family Guy returns to games

With the revelation that Tony Hawk and Guitar Hero would be going on an extended hiatus and True Crime: Hong Kong had been canned, Activision created some significant gaps in its release schedule. One of those gaps may be filled by the ample frame of Peter Griffin, as the publisher also confirmed today that it is readying a new Family Guy title for release this year.

In an investor conference call today, Activision Publishing CEO Eric Hirshberg acknowledged the Family Guy project in a list of the company's licensed titles set for release this year, including new installments of Spider-Man, Bakugan, and the Cabela's hunting series. According to Hirshberg, Activision sees all of the licensed titles as "strong franchises with passionate niche audiences that can achieve repeatable and profitable success."

This won't be the first time the Fox cartoon series has found its way into games. In 2006, 2K Games published Family Guy for Xbox, PlayStation 2, and PSP. Developed by High Voltage Software (Leisure Suit Larry: Magna Cum Laude, Harvey Birdman: Attorney at Law), the game featured the original voice cast of the TV series, including series creator Seth MacFarlane.

Activision did not announce a developer for its upcoming take on Family Guy. For more on 2K's effort, check out GameSpot's review.