Spielberg's first game with EA gets a name, release date, screenshots

Back in 2005, EA and Steven Spielberg signed a deal to develop three new videogames together. Last summer, EA released preliminary information on two -- both of which are being developed at the L.A. development studio. We always knew the first one to come out, code named PQRS, is a block-manipulating puzzle game for the Wii aimed at casual players.

Click here for more Boom Blox screenshots

Today, EA is releasing some more info. Usually I wouldn't go through the details of a new product like this, but since it's Steven Spielberg and we are Variety, it seems appropriate. So here are all the new facts we learned:

-The game is called "Boom Blox"

-As we basically knew, players use the Wii-mote to "throw, grab and blast" Jenga-like pieces in complex 3-D puzzles.

-It comes out in May 2008.

-While it remains Wii exclusive in terms of consoles, EA is also making a version for mobile phones.

-There's single player, co-op, and versus gameplay. It  ships with over 300 levels.

-Along with puzzles, there are also characters who interact with players, including "Blox-laying chickens or the baseball throwing monkeys, who bring personality to the Tiki, Medieval, Frontier, and Haunted themed environments."

-Players can "remix" any level of the game, or build new puzzles from scratch, using a level editor. They can then share their creations online. This is particularly cool to me, since I'm a huge fan of the level editor in "Halo 3" and think that kind of thing is the future of gaming. But this is the first implementation of it in a "casual" game aimed at families that I can think of (am I wrong?). Plus it's obviously great to see games finally doing something with the Wii's Internet connection.

EA also released a bunch of screenshots. I'm pasting in small versions of a couple of my favorites in the post, but you can see a full gallery of them here:

Boom Blox screenshot gallery

Oh, and no further info on Spielberg's other game in development, code-named "LMNO" -- an "A.I." like game about a secret agent on the run with an android woman that's being made for 360 and PS3. We probably won't see that one until either the holidays or sometime next year. And no word yet at all on what Spielberg's third game with EA will be.