Sproing Interactive Media GmbH (“Sproing”) today announced an agreement with Cong SA to develop Corto Maltese – The Fable of Venice, a video game based on the popular comic book and animated film & series character created by Hugo Pratt. Corto Maltese – The Fable of Venice is scheduled for release on the Nintendo DS entertainment system in fall 2010.

Corto Maltese – The Fable of Venice combines stunning comic artwork and adventure gameplay with mystery solving, for an epic adventure in historic Venice. The city was painstakingly researched by Corto Maltese creator Hugo Pratt, and is now being created in the video game with great attention to detail.

The visuals of the game are inspired by the incredible look of Corto Maltese and will appeal to fans of all ages. Players will experience intriguing and unique characters, solve challenging mysteries and lots of puzzle mini-games while unravelling the truth behind a mysterious gem called “Solomons Clavicle”.

“Corto Maltese is an incredibly successful and long-lasting comic brand with a huge following among both boys and girls. Venice was Pratt’s hometown and Corto Maltese his favorite and most successful character,” said Patrizia Zanotti, artistic director, Cong SA. “Corto Maltese – The Fable of Venice will certainly please and charm the fans who have read the comic book as well as those who will discover Corto Maltese for the first time.”

“Corto Maltese – The Fable of Venice was instantly our first choice among the many great stories created by Hugo Pratt,” said Harald Riegler, CEO, Sproing. “Venice offers such a strong visual anchoring point, and is very popular with gamers.”

“The puzzle and adventure genre has proven to be very successful on the Nintendo DS platform from the very beginning,” said Julian Breddy, lead designer, Sproing. “We are sure gamers will love the product when it launches in fall 2010.”

For more information visit: www.sproing.com or: www.cortomaltese.com