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Publisher hopes to "invigorate the lifestyle" genre with games based on spirituality guru's teachings.

THQ has led the "transmedia" charge of combining gaming properties with those from other media, signing deals with the likes of SyFy to develop games and TV shows in tandem. However, the publisher's latest effort to mix the gaming industry with outside influences resembles more of a traditional licensing deal, as THQ announced today that it would develop a line of games based on the teachings of spirituality guru Deepak Chopra.

Deepak Chopra will soon have a video game to add to his self-help empire.

The multiyear deal, reached with Curious Pictures, sees THQ gain publishing rights to games based on Chopra's media empire on the Xbox 360, PlayStation 3, Wii, DS, and mobile platforms. The deal also extends to online gaming portals, including Xbox Live, PlayStation Network, and WiiWare.

The publisher did not say when it plans to bring its first title based on Chopra's teachings to market, noting only that it would augment its casual games portfolio. THQ executive vice president Martin Good also commented that the publisher "has grand plans to invigorate the lifestyle category with this game."

A medical doctor, Chopra has written more than 55 books, with THQ classifying 18 of them as best-sellers on mind-body health, spirituality, and peace. The India-born guru also runs and chairs a variety of organizations, including the Chopra Foundation and the Chopra Center for Wellbeing. Chopra is also a columnist for the San Francisco Chronicle and Washington Post and contributes to various online destinations such as Oprah.com, Intent.com, and the Huffington Post.

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