D3Publisher (D3P), a publisher and developer of interactive entertainment software, together with its parent D3, Inc., today announced a worldwide publishing agreement with Universal Partnerships & Licensing for video games based on Universal Pictures and Chris Meledandri's Illumination Entertainment's inaugural 3-D CGI feature, Despicable Me, the studio's first from Meledandri (Ice Age, Ice Age 2: The Meltdown, Horton Hears a Who!), who produces through his Universal-based family-entertainment company.

The film follows Gru (voiced by Steve Carell), one of the world's greatest super-villains, as he uses his arsenal of shrink rays, freeze rays and a small army of minions to pull off the biggest heist in the history of the world. The video games are scheduled to release on console and handheld systems in July 2010 to coincide with the nationwide release of the movie on July 9, 2010.

"Despicable Me has all the right ingredients for a successful game," said Bill Anker, vice president of business development and licensing, D3P. "The film's unique cast of characters and playful, mischievous action will translate exceptionally well into the interactive space. We look forward to working closely with the Universal team to deliver an authentic and compelling gameplay experience for fans of the film as well as gamers of all ages."

"Working with D3Publisher, we look forward to creating a fun-filled game loaded with humor, clever puzzles, in-game rule breaking and surprises," said Bill Kispert, vice president, Digital Platforms, Universal Partnerships & Licensing. "Players can explore the slightly wicked side of themselves as they carry out hilarious capers on a comical quest for world domination."

In Despicable Me: The Game, players will experience the inventiveness of being a despicable genius as they become Gru, the film's criminal mastermind, planning heists and plotting attacks on Gru's archnemesis, Vector, as they work their way to villainous greatness. Despicable Me: The Game offers a unique blend of action and puzzle solving that combines the fun of commanding an army of loyal-but-manic minions and using an arsenal of wacky gadgets, weapons and vehicles to entertain players of all ages.