Asmodee Group launches a new division devoted to developing content based on its owned IP, primarily through strategic partnerships and licensing. Asmodee Entertainment will be the launching ground for new films, TV series, and comics and graphic novels. Already in development is a film based on the board game Catan, which is being adapted by Sony Pictures. DC Entertainment … [Read more...] about Experiential, New Media & Partnerships
Video Games and Software
NYTF18: Blind Bags, Glitter & Poop
This last week saw the latest iteration of New York Toy Fair and offered a clear formula for success in toy aisles this coming year—if a toy or game includes one or more of the following fads, it might sell: (1) low-price collectible with blind packaging, (2) "cute" sparkles and magic, or (3) "gross" material like poop, slime, and dirt. Retail sales of licensed toys and games … [Read more...] about NYTF18: Blind Bags, Glitter & Poop
The Rise of Video Games
The creeping influence of video game brands on the floor of the New York Toy Fair hints at the emergence of a new powerhouse player in licensing. What's more, the branded toys and games emerging from this space have broad appeal to both children and adults. Retail sales of licensed merchandise based on video game/interactive/online-based properties amounted to $61 million in … [Read more...] about The Rise of Video Games
Planned Video Game Releases With Licensing Potential
Throughout the year, we feature upcoming video game properties with potential for licensing. All of the release dates on the list have been checked against multiple sources, but there is still a high probability that dates will change. The further in the future a game launch is, the more likely its release date is to move. … [Read more...] about Planned Video Game Releases With Licensing Potential
The Horror: 44% of Upcoming Licensable Video Games Sequels
Karina Masolova, karina@plainlanguagemedia.com We've updated our list of upcoming video games with licensing potential, and it counts 80 titles launching from 2018 and beyond. See the complete list here. Retail sales of licensed merchandise based on video game/interactive/online-based brands reached $607 million in 2016, up 3.5% from the previous year for the … [Read more...] about The Horror: 44% of Upcoming Licensable Video Games Sequels
46 Properties Make the $100+ Million Ent/Char List in 2016
Karina Masolova, karina@plainlanguagemedia.com A grand total of 46 properties made the $100 million entertainment/character list for 2016 retail sales, with five new faces joining the pack. See the complete list here. All in all, the top properties generated $43 billion in retail sales of licensed merchandise worldwide. Globally, that marks a $2 billion increase compared to … [Read more...] about 46 Properties Make the $100+ Million Ent/Char List in 2016
Roundup: Robotics, Video Games, and the IoT
By: Karina Masolova, karina@plainlanguagemedia.com Lucasfilm gathered Facebook, Fitbit, Industrial Light & Magic, Instagram, Twitter, and Google together to inspire the next generation of inventors at the first-ever Droidathon, an invention competition running from Nov. 15–Jan. 10. Using the littleBits Droid Inventor Kit as a starting point, teams of kid engineers, … [Read more...] about Roundup: Robotics, Video Games, and the IoT
Entertainment/Character Roundup
Disney's Star Wars will see a new film trilogy from The Last Jedi frontman Rian Johnson, separate from the episodic Skywalker saga. The media giant is also planning a new live-action Star Wars TV series for its SVOD service to launch in 2019. Also headed to SVOD are original TV series adaptations of Pixar’s Monsters Inc., Disney Channel’s High School Musical franchise, and … [Read more...] about Entertainment/Character Roundup
Experiential & Social Activations
Hasbro and Cityneon bring interactive exhibition Transformers Autobot Alliance to China in December 2017. The launch follows years of R&D—the walk-through exhibit is the first of its kind to showcase the larger-than-life robots, as well as special effects, reflex tests, virtual reality, motion sensing, and other features surrounding the Transformers brand. It will debut in … [Read more...] about Experiential & Social Activations
M&A & Other Business
Ravensburger acquires ThinkFun, a U.S. developer of logic and STEM-based games. ThinkFun will continue to operate independently as a subsidiary of Ravensburger North America. Co-founder Bill Ritchie remains as CCO, as well as all directors and staff. Universal is in talks to sell its stake in Oriental DreamWorks, the China-based joint venture animation company, according to … [Read more...] about M&A & Other Business