The Blu-ray Disc Association (BDA) today announced that Vivendi Universal Games (VU Games), a global leader in multi-platform interactive entertainment, joins the association. VU Games' membership further strengthens the already overwhelming support for the Blu-ray Disc high-definition optical-disc format among the world's leading gaming, consumer electronics, PC and entertainment companies.

"The technical requirements for game development today demands more advanced optical-disc technologies," said Michael Heilemann, Chief Technology Officer, VU Games. "Blu-ray Disc offers the capacity, performance and high-speed Internet connectivity to take us into the future of gaming."

"VU Games' decision to join the Blu-ray Disc Association is another example of the widespread support for Blu-ray Disc by content developers and owners who recognize it's the only optical-disc format that provides the capacity and functionality they need to meet the future needs of their businesses," said Maureen Weber, chief BDA spokesperson and general manager of HP's Optical Storage Solutions Business. "We've gotten a lot of support from companies like Vivendi who require the superior capacity and interactivity that Blu-ray Disc delivers."

VU Games is one of two leading game publishers committed to Blu-ray Disc, and Sony has announced that its next generation gaming platform will be built on Blu-ray.