Codemasters and Templar Publishing have announced a worldwide licensing agreement that will see the creation of a series of original video game titles based on Templar's 14 million-selling 'Ology series of books.

The deal will see Templar Publishing's best sellers Dragonology, Wizardology and Pirateology, each an encyclopaedic journal packed with multi-textured content and paper-engineered extras, realised as individual video game titles exclusively for the Nintendo Wii and DS.

Codemasters will publish two editions of each title, one for Wii, with play centred on action gaming, and the other for the DS, which will embrace explorative gameplay in the form of an interactive book. Dragonology will be the first title in the series and is expected to launch in the second half of 2008.

"Extending Codemasters' reach in the family entertainment category, this alliance with Templar further demonstrates the continued growth and diversification of our portfolio," said Barry Jafrato, Senior Vice President of Brand, Codemasters. "With each title based on a popular fantasy theme and delivering a truly content-rich read, Dragonology, Wizardology and Pirateology are major entertainment properties that form a perfect base on which to build original and creative gaming experiences."

"The Ology book brand is a powerful contemporary franchise and we always seek to work with high calibre creative partners," commented Richard Scrivener, Commercial and Operations Director, Templar Publishing. "Right from the outset, we were impressed by the combination of Codemasters' passion for the product and their global reach."

Dragonology: the Complete book of Dragons, by Dugald A Steer, was first published in 2003, creating a series which has sold over 5.7 million copies worldwide in 32 different languages. In the USA, where the series is published by Candlewick Press, Dragonology, Wizardology and Pirateology have all been New York Times bestsellers and the 'Ology series was recently noted in the Wall Street Journal as a major publishing phenomenon.

For more information, visit ologyworld.com.