Metro Goldwyn Mayer Inc has formalised its work in the interactive field by forming MGM Interactive. The unit will manage creative development and production of interactive products for iAPX-86 and Macintosh personal computer-based CD-ROM systems, in conjunction with outside organisations which are expert in those areas. It will also explore other proprietary CD-ROM, such as those from Sega Enterprises Ltd or Nintendo Co Ltd, and is researching on-line formats. These include networked gaming, where MGM will provide the creative structure for such games. It has been experimenting in interactive development since last year, but it is only now that the company has decided that the area is significant enough to warrant a formal business unit. The emphasis will be to develop partnerships with outside organisations and co-ordinate relationships with them, so there will be only a small in-house staff located at the company’s headquarters in Santa Monica, California. MGM Interactive says it will select those producers whose skills and creative talent are best suited to each individual project. It has already established strategic alliances with Sega of America Inc and the Grolier Electronic Publishing and Matra Hachette SA publishing subsidiaries of the Lagardere Group. Wirehead, the first title to come out of the MGM-Sega venture, will be shown in mid-1995, while the first title from the Lagardere agreement will ship in early 1996. No details of financial arrangements between the partners were given.
