02.04.99
Jim Wilson has been appointed senior vice president and general manager of Universal Interactive Studios. In his newly created position, Jim will oversee the worldwide development and licensing of games on all platforms. This will include the management and development of the Crash Bandicoot and Spyro the Dragon franchises.

Whooptee freaking do, right? There is more underlying content to this story then you may suspect, however. Consider, for example, that Jim is effectively replacing Mark Cerny, who was pretty much the self-described mastermind behind Crash and Spyro. Mark quit to become an independent contractor, forming Cerny Games -- meaning he can sit on the beach, drinking pina coladas, for twice the pay he was receiving before. Consider further that Naughty Dog's contract with Universal is finished.

Collectively, Mark and Naughty Dog created three games that sold well over a million copies each (and climbing). Now, they're looking to score more cash for themselves by cutting out as many middlemen as possible. Universal Interactive Studios is probably number one on the cut list.

So what does Jim have up his sleeve. Well, he plans to squeeze as much as possible out of Crash and Spyro, while expanding the development of games based on key Universal Studios' franchise properties. These properties include Woody Woodpecker, Xena: Warrior Princess, Universal Studios Monsters, Bruce Lee, and Rocky & Bullwinkle.

Bruce Lee vs. Woody Woodpecker could be ok, but it's no Crash franchise. Hmmm...Good luck, Jimbo!