VU Games signs rock band Metallica

Vivendi Universal Games has today announced that it has signed an exclusive multiyear game development agreement with rock band Metallica. Under the terms of the contract, VU Games has the worldwide rights to publish and distribute a multiplatform vehicular combat game incorporating music, voice-overs, and inspiration from the band.

Scheduled for release in 2005, the as-yet-unnamed action game will see players assuming control of a fully customizable vehicle and going up against large numbers of murderous opponents in expansive levels. Metallica will provide a variety of exclusive content for the game, including voice-overs, incidental background music, and an original song.

"We are excited to bring game fans an interactive entertainment experience that delivers intense vehicular combat action along with the powerful music and energy of Metallica," said Luc Vanhal, Vivendi Universal Games' president and COO, North America. "Today's announcement further underscores Vivendi Universal Games' commitment to work with leading artists in the entertainment industry to create engaging interactive products that appeal to the expanding games audience."

Details concerning the game's title, platforms, and even the developer are being kept a secret at this time, but we understand that a trailer for the game will appear on Metallica's St. Anger album, which is scheduled for release tomorrow. We'll bring you more information on the game as soon as it becomes available.