Cartoon Network is developing its first massively multi-player online game (MMOG). The broadcaster’s Cartoon Network New Media division has teamed with Seoul, Korea-based Grigon Ent. to create the yet’untitled game, which will allow fans to interact with a variety of popular cartoon characters including the title hero of Ben 10, Bloo from Foster’s Home for Imaginary Friends and the youngsters from Codename: Kids Next Door. The game will debut in the U.S. in the spring of 2008.
The game will feature a persistent and expanding world where players to develop their own characters, attributes and possessions while forming virtual friendships and communities. It will be free to download, but players who want the enhanced gaming experience will need to set up a subscription for micro-transactions.
‘This MMOG is a key part of Cartoon Network’s growth strategy, and is an important complement to our mobile, broadband and existing online business,’ says Jim Samples, exec VP and general manager of Cartoon Network. ‘With the MMOG, mobile content, our web sites and, of course, our linear network, Cartoon Network is always on for kids.’
‘Online games have been the most important driver of Cartoon Network New Media’s success over the last few years,’ adds Paul Condolora, senior VP and general manager of Cartoon Network New Media. ‘With more than 84 million U.S. homes expected to have broadband Internet access by 2008, and Cartoon Network’s reach and creative vision, we’re excited to enter the fast-growing world of massively multiplayer online gaming.’
Grigon Ent. is best known as the developer of Seal Online, a light-hearted role-playing game which has been a major hit in its native Korea, as well as China, Japan, Taiwan, Thailand and Indonesia. Other popular titles from the company are the fairytale-based QRing and the casual tennis game Gamebledon.
Leave a Reply