Kids
Nick Online in the US takes paid gaming initiative to the next level
MUMBAI: Kids entertainment brand Nickelodeon in the US will introduce paid downloadable games for kids on Nick.com and Nickjr.com with the re-launch of Nick Arcade at www.nickarcade.com on Friday 1 July.
To introduce the state-of-the-art gaming platform, Nick Online has partnered with industry leaders Big Fish Games and TryMedia for their expertise in paid gaming marketing, merchandising, publishing, and technology.
Nickelodeon Online senior VP and GM Mike Skagerlind said, “Nick Arcade provides a unique platform of rich game experiences for our audience that they can download and own. With the combined expertise of Big Fish Games and TryMedia, Nickelodeon will move to the forefront of this arena.”
Nick Arcade will re-launch with more than 60 premium downloadable games for kids, including Nick.com published games such as SpongeBob Obstacle Odyssey, The Fairly OddParents Big Superhero Wish, Jimmy Neutron Invention Revenge and Nick Jr. titles including Dora’s Rapido River Rafting Race. In addition, the site will include a collection of third party titles from a variety of game developers. Games will be priced at an average of twenty dollars.
Big Fish Games CEO Paul thelen says, “We consider Nickelodeon as one of our premiere partners in the paid gaming space. Nickelodeon adds legitimacy to this emerging market because it extends casual game offerings to a younger audience, and adds top-tier branded content to the mix.”
The portfolio of available games on Nick Arcade will be frequently updated with original paid downloadable games published by Nick Online, which will be released beginning third quarter 2005, as well as new releases from third party developers. In addition, Nick Online will be building distribution partnerships throughout the year with third parties and portals to syndicate these games to a broader market.
As part of the Nick Arcade, users can join a membership program for $7.99 per month called the Nick Arcade Pass.By joining the programme, members will receive one free game every month, along with coupons and discounts on games, and other benefits.
On NickJr.com, adults will also find a “Games for Grown-Ups section at www.nickjrgrownupgames.com. This will include a selection of third party games for the website’s parent audience. Launched on June 10 with the support of Big Fish Games, Games for Grown-Ups features play puzzles, word games, cards and more such as Magic Vines, Chuzzle Deluxe and MahJong Quest. These are intended to give parents a quick, fun break from their daily lives.
Big Fish Games is a developer, publisher and distributor of casual, family friendly games, has one of the best game catalogs on the Internet, a global network reach of over 18 million monthly unique users and distribution partners such as Nickelodeon, Bolt Media, and iVillage.com. Through the efforts of a network of over 250 game development partners, Big Fish Games offers consumers a New Game Every Day and makes acquiring downloadable games and playing games online a safe, easy and reliable experience.
Kids
Mukta Arts and Green Gold ink MOU to animate iconic film IPs
Kalicharan, Karz, Hero, Karma, Ram Lakhan to spawn animated shows plus features.
MUMBAI: When classic hindi movie meets animation, the result is a fresh reel of nostalgia with a cartoon twist. Mukta Arts Ltd. and Green Gold Animation have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to collaborate on animated shows and feature films drawn from Mukta Arts’ four-decade treasure trove of iconic IPs. The partnership taps Mukta’s SGM Animation Studio launched in 2025 as its dedicated animation and games arm and Green Gold’s proven track record in building scalable, homegrown franchises. Creative teams from both sides have already kicked off discussions, with the first project currently in development.
The slate will draw inspiration from landmark Mukta films including Kalicharan, Karz, Hero, Karma, Ram Lakhan, Khalnayak, Saudagar and Iqbal, plus character-led spin-offs from those universes. The aim is to reimagine these stories for today’s young, global audiences while preserving their emotional core.
Green Gold Animation (home of Chhota Bheem) founder and CEO Rajiv Chilaka said, “This partnership with SGM Studios allows us to apply our experience in building long-lasting animation IPs to a truly iconic film catalogue. Together, we aim to create animated worlds that are rooted in these legendary stories, yet designed to connect with today’s young, global audiences.”
Mukta Arts Ltd. filmmaker and founder Subhash Ghai added, “Mukta Arts has always believed in creating stories with lasting emotional value. Through animation, we are extending our IP into a new medium for the next generation.”
In an industry where timeless tales never go out of fashion, this collaboration promises to bring beloved characters back to life with a modern, animated glow proving that some stories are too good to stay in live-action. Stay tuned for the first animated frame to drop.
