• Reuters, Thursday, July 12, 2007 12 PM

Google is taking its second stab at online gaming, announcing on Thursday a partnership with Universal Pictures to heavily feature services like Search, Maps, Images and YouTube in an online game for the upcoming action flick, "The Bourne Ultimatum." The game is inspired by all three "Bourne" films and launches this Monday in seven countries as part of the film's massive marketing push, two weeks ahead of its Aug. 3 launch.

The game features clips of the new film and offers a sweepstakes element for those who complete the initiative. Among the prizes are a 2008 Touareg 2 from Volkswagen, which is featured in "Bourne Ultimatum," a $1,000 MasterCard gift card for each of the 15 weekdays that new clues and active game play are provided to Web site visitors, 10 Apple iPhones and four trips to the winners' choice of New York, Paris, London, Madrid or Tangier--cities featured in the film.

Google's involvement in both the game and film did not involve any money changing hands. It's the second time the Web giant has been involved in an online game; the first involved Sony Pictures' "The Da Vinci Code." Google will promote the game through search results related to the film and through the millions of iGoogle home pages designed by its users. Universal hired Big Spaceship to design the "Bourne" game.

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