Queer Eye and Project Makeover team up for mobile app partnership

Queer Eye fans will now be able to unleash their creativity in an exclusive partnership with Project Makeover, Magic Tavern’s top-downloaded mobile game.

In Queer Eye’s first-ever mobile app partnership, the cast joins Project Makeover’s characters to help them glamorise, accessorise and revamp their clients’ looks by completing puzzles to win coins, mystery boxes, and gems to transform clients into stylish trend-setting mavens.

The partnership, which was facilitated by IMG, will see the Fab Five take over Project Makeover’s “Time Makeover.” Instead of the game’s usual characters, players get to work with the Fab Five through a series of fun tasks throughout the game. Inspired by Queer Eye’s hip tips, emotionally charged makeovers and heartfelt reveals, Project Makeover is more than clothing and makeup – homes and businesses are also part of the transformation fun.

Queer Eye, the nine-time Emmy award-winning television show from Scout Productions debuted in 2018 on Netflix. The series, which boasts hundreds of millions of fans across the globe, follows a team of professionals as they perform transformative life makeovers.

As an AppLovin partner studio, Magic Tavern launched Project Makeover in 2020 and the title shot up to the #1 grossing game in 24 countries and the #1 most downloaded game in 142 countries after leveraging AppLovin’s market-leading software solutions and creative expertise with 67+ million installs.

“For the past five years, fans have seen the Fab Five perform makeovers around the world, and for the first time, they’ll have the opportunity to create their own iconic transformations on Project Makeover,” says David Colins, CEO of Scout Productions Inc. and the creator behind Queer Eye. “We’re thrilled about this partnership with Magic Tavern and can’t wait to see what fans come up with alongside Bobby, Tan, Karamo, Jonathan, and Antoni.”

“We are thrilled to be able to team up with Queer Eye. We wanted the best for the Fab Five – we worked directly with them for their guidance, so that we could ensure that players felt they were interacting with the characters from the show, and we are excited about what we were able to achieve,” adds Mike Chera, Creative Director at Magic Tavern. “We are extremely excited to bring the real-life characters into our game – their appearance and likeness and expressions takes a lot of time and effort to get it absolutely right.”

The Queer Eye partnership and Fab Five appearances will be available to all Project Makeover players starting today for a limited time.

“We know Queer Eye fans are craving for more ways to interact with their favourite makeover team and the Fab Five is always looking for unique opportunities to flex their transformational skills,” says Van Kokeh, VP of Licensing at IMG. “It is a great fit and we are excited to bring Queer Eye into this hit game.”

Project Makeover is free for download in the Apple App Store and Google Play.

 

Light & Wonder partners with MGM for Stargate Megaways game

Scientific Games Corporation, doing business as Light & Wonder, is inviting players on an unforgettable intergalactic adventure in its latest title Stargate Megaways.

The first game to be released on OpenGaming under the new Light & Wonder name, the ambitious 6-reel slot is based on MGM’s legendary sci-fi fantasy film Stargate, boasting imagery and characters from the famous franchise, as well as innovative features and mechanics.

Stargate has become a cultural phenomenon, capturing the imaginations of sci-fi lovers and inspiring legions of fans around the world. The Stargate franchise includes three TV series, three films, an animated series and a web series.

More than 56 million Stargate DVDs have been sold as well. Living well beyond the screen Stargate has found its way into games, comic books, trading cards and more. The hit TV series, Stargate SG-1, celebrates its 25th anniversary in 2022.

In Stargate Megaways, players are tasked with working their way up a Stargate trail every time they register a consecutive win, unlocking modifiers and one of three free spins rounds. When the fifth segment of the trail is reached a random modifier will be activated, which boosts their chances of triggering up to seven free spins.

Rob Procter, Vice President of Game Development at Light & Wonder, says: “Not only is Stargate Megaways Light & Wonder’s flagship release as a new brand, but it’s also set to be our most revolutionary. We’ve flipped the concept of a Megaways slot on its head; this game is nothing like you’ll have played before from a Megaways title and we think it’ll prove to be a big hit.

Stargate has been going for almost 30 years now and there are still people of all ages that love the franchise, so we’re incredibly excited to bring it to a new medium. Light & Wonder has great ambitions to solidify itself as the leading cross-platform global game company, and releasing a slot that’s truly out of this world is the right way to go about that.”

Robert Marick, EVP Global Consumer Products at MGM, comments: “Stargate continues to resonate around the globe and through this partnership with Light & Wonder, we are able to bring this incredibly popular series to fans in a fresh and exciting way. We’re looking forward to seeing the debut of the Stargate Megaways 6 reel slot game.”

Sonic the Hedgehog speeds into Roblox

Leading professional game developer and publisher Gamefam, in collaboration with SEGA of America, Inc., today announced the launch of Sonic Speed Simulator, an all-new game featuring SEGA’s entertainment icon, Sonic the Hedgehog.

The game is now available on the Roblox platform and marks the first time that a world-renowned, AAA gaming character has been officially featured on Roblox.

In the game, players will be able to level up and gain speed by running through multiple unique worlds while racing against friends to earn rewards, including pets that can increase stats and Sonic character skins. Players can also expect regular weekly updates and will earn an exclusive community Sonic the Hedgehog skin once the game has received 10,000 “likes” from players.

This is the latest in a long line of partnerships in which Gamefam has been entrusted to unlock the metaverse for well-known brands. The company previously worked with leading global innovators including Ubisoft, Mattel, Sony, MGA and more to create highly engaging experiences for players, helping brands to connect with Roblox’s rapidly expanding user base.

For more information on Gamefam, including details around the company’s recent $25M Series A funding round led by Konvoy Ventures, visit https://gamefam.com/ or follow the company on Twitter at @gamefamstudios.

Reality Gaming Group and Mana Partners unlock the blockchain for APAC brands

Mana Partners has selected Reality Gaming Group to provide best-in-class blockchain and NFT content solutions to its brand clients in the games and entertainment space, as demand for Web3.0 services booms in Asia Pacific.

Singapore-based Mana Partners is the leading consultancy in the region for Web3.0 marketing strategy and solutions, helping brands, startups, and rights owners unlock new communities and opportunities through partnerships and programmes.

UK-based Reality Gaming Group develops innovative content and marketplaces that combine the best of traditional entertainment with new technology based on the blockchain and Non-Fungible Tokens (NFTs).

Ground-breaking games and blockchain collectibles created by publishing arm Reality Studios include Doctor Who: Worlds Apart, Reality Clash and Smighties Universe, plus non-game NFT content with the likes of Toikido toys and boxing legend Floyd Mayweather.

Crucially, all of Reality Gaming Group’s projects are created and managed by its Digital Asset Trading (DAT) Platform, which builds NFTs, online stores and marketplaces connected to its own “side-chain” of the Ethereum mainnet. This enables the creation of environmentally friendly NFTs that offer substantial reductions to the amount of energy used to produce and trade digital collectibles.

Matthew Zatto, Managing Partner at Mana Partners, said: “Brands are only starting to discover the potential value that can be unlocked through blockchain technology. It’s important to us at Mana Partners that we provide our brand clients with nothing less than the best-in-class solution and that is exactly why we chose Reality Gaming Group. No one compares to them in terms of experience, blockchain capabilities and offering a true full-service solution. We’re proud to be partnering with them in the APAC region.”

Reality Gaming Group Co-Founder Tony Pearce said: “We’re absolutely thrilled to be working with Mana Partners to offer its clients the most innovative blockchain and web3.0 content solutions. This partnership is a ringing endorsement of the DAT platform, further expands our presence in Asia Pacific and highlights the growing importance of NFTs to brands. We can’t wait to get started on what promises to be some tremendously exciting projects.”

Reality Gaming Group and Mana Partners unlock the blockchain for APAC brands

Mana Partners has selected Reality Gaming Group to provide best-in-class blockchain and NFT content solutions to its brand clients in the games and entertainment space, as demand for Web3.0 services booms in Asia Pacific.

Singapore-based Mana Partners is the leading consultancy in the region for Web3.0 marketing strategy and solutions, helping brands, startups, and rights owners unlock new communities and opportunities through partnerships and programmes.

UK-based Reality Gaming Group develops innovative content and marketplaces that combine the best of traditional entertainment with new technology based on the blockchain and Non-Fungible Tokens (NFTs).

Ground-breaking games and blockchain collectibles created by publishing arm Reality Studios include Doctor Who: Worlds Apart, Reality Clash and Smighties Universe, plus non-game NFT content with the likes of Toikido toys and boxing legend Floyd Mayweather.

Crucially, all of Reality Gaming Group’s projects are created and managed by its Digital Asset Trading (DAT) Platform, which builds NFTs, online stores and marketplaces connected to its own “side-chain” of the Ethereum mainnet. This enables the creation of environmentally friendly NFTs that offer substantial reductions to the amount of energy used to produce and trade digital collectibles.

Matthew Zatto, Managing Partner at Mana Partners, said: “Brands are only starting to discover the potential value that can be unlocked through blockchain technology. It’s important to us at Mana Partners that we provide our brand clients with nothing less than the best-in-class solution and that is exactly why we chose Reality Gaming Group. No one compares to them in terms of experience, blockchain capabilities and offering a true full-service solution. We’re proud to be partnering with them in the APAC region.”

Reality Gaming Group Co-Founder Tony Pearce said: “We’re absolutely thrilled to be working with Mana Partners to offer its clients the most innovative blockchain and web3.0 content solutions. This partnership is a ringing endorsement of the DAT platform, further expands our presence in Asia Pacific and highlights the growing importance of NFTs to brands. We can’t wait to get started on what promises to be some tremendously exciting projects.”

Activision and Alpha Industries team for Call of Duty real-world/in-game jacket

Activision and contemporary fashion leader Alpha Industries have announced the launch of a unique physical and in-game product collaboration with Call of Duty – the new limited-edition Call of Duty x Alpha Industries B-15 Flight Jacket.

Revealed during last autumn’s Call of Duty: Vanguard launch event, the limited-edition Call of Duty x Alpha Industries B-15 Flight Jacket is now officially available to purchase for fans in celebration of Call of Duty: Vanguard and Call of Duty: Warzone’s Season 2.5 mid-season update and Free Trial for players.

The jacket is available in limited quantities via the Alpha Industries website at a $300 price point, while a digital jacket version can be found within Call of Duty: Vanguard’s in-game Flyboy Bundle at 1100 COD Points.

The in-game operator skin is an exact replica of the physical jacket, making this collaboration unique in its accessibility to a wide range of fans wanting to don the jacket either physically or virtually. The in-game Flyboy Bundle includes the jacket as a new Operator Skin (that will also unlock the Operator), a Killcam Vanity, and an MVP Highlight, which are only usable in Vanguard.

 

Activision and Alpha Industries team for Call of Duty real-world/in-game jacket

Activision and contemporary fashion leader Alpha Industries have announced the launch of a unique physical and in-game product collaboration with Call of Duty – the new limited-edition Call of Duty x Alpha Industries B-15 Flight Jacket.

Revealed during last autumn’s Call of Duty: Vanguard launch event, the limited-edition Call of Duty x Alpha Industries B-15 Flight Jacket is now officially available to purchase for fans in celebration of Call of Duty: Vanguard and Call of Duty: Warzone’s Season 2.5 mid-season update and Free Trial for players.

The jacket is available in limited quantities via the Alpha Industries website at a $300 price point, while a digital jacket version can be found within Call of Duty: Vanguard’s in-game Flyboy Bundle at 1100 COD Points.

The in-game operator skin is an exact replica of the physical jacket, making this collaboration unique in its accessibility to a wide range of fans wanting to don the jacket either physically or virtually. The in-game Flyboy Bundle includes the jacket as a new Operator Skin (that will also unlock the Operator), a Killcam Vanity, and an MVP Highlight, which are only usable in Vanguard.

 

M&M’S Adventure launches on Apple iOS and Android devices

Free-to-play games publisher Tilting Point, along with partners Gear Inc. and Mars Retail Group, have announced that M&M’S Adventure, a puzzle game featuring the beloved Mars M&M’S characters, is now available on mobile devices on the Apple App Store and for Android devices on the Google Play Store.

Mars has been creating the bite-sized colorful candies for over 80 years, and the iconic M&M’S characters are some of the most recognisable around the world. The M&M’S characters will take players on an adventure around the world, travelling to locations such as New York and Paris, with many more locations to come with each update.

M&M’S Adventure includes more than 1,000 levels, and features multiple types of in-game events, including competitive leaderboards and month-long seasonal events, during which players will play unique levels and unlock new characters. M&M’s Adventure will continue to add to the fun with  monthly seasonal events, kicking off with Easter in April where players can earn exclusive and time-limited Easter characters.

Azerion partners with SmileyWorld for digital game content

Digital entertainment and media platform Azerion has announced a long term partnership with The Smiley Company to create an array of digital entertainment content to gamify their brands, including SmileyWorld and SW by SmileyWorld, and engage with fans through Azerion’s vast distribution network.

“The original Smiley has been part of our day-to-day life for 50 years now. We use Smileys to communicate care and love with friends, family and colleagues. They are the way to go beyond language barriers and generations in these modern times. SmileyWorld has a profound history and is a lifestyle brand that connects people,” says Erol Erturk, EVP Games and Strategic Partnerships at Azerion.

Through the partnership, Azerion has the global rights to develop digital content utilising the SmileyWorld and SW by SmileyWorld trademarks, and will cover the full cycle from production and distribution to monetisation. Starting with a handful of HTML5 games, including SmileyWorld branded match-3 and Mahjong, Azerion will create a series of cross-platform branded games and digital entertainment experiences that will then be released across their distribution network of more than 2,000 gaming portals, telcos and mobile stores.

“With over 16,000 game titles under our belt, we are excited about this opportunity to work with Smiley to further expand our footprint in bringing games to life to our core audience groups, allowing deeper engagement with fans of SmileyWorld while increasing reach for advertisers,” Erturk comments.

“As we celebrate the 50th anniversary of Smiley bringing happiness and positivity to millions of people across the world, we are thrilled to be partnering with Azerion to bring the SmileyWorld and SW by SmileyWorld brands to life in the digital universe,” says Lori Heiss-Tiplady, SVP Digital at The Smiley Company. “Pairing Azerion’s expertise and knowledge in digital gaming with Smiley’s creativity and positive brand values creates a winning proposition to create engaging and entertaining content.

“SmileyWorld and SW by SmileyWorld are lifestyle brands with deep roots in fashion and also emotional intelligence, enabling self-expression and the sharing of positivity. Working with Azerion to apply this to gaming will allow people to spread happiness and express themselves in a whole new way.”

Fanattik takes gaming portfolio to next level with major Bethesda Softworks extension

Fanattik, the award-winning pop culture specialist, has renewed and greatly expanded its licensing agreement with global video game giant, Bethesda Softworks.

The revamped and powered-up license will result not only in the continuation of Fanattik’s existing ranges featuring Fallout, The Elder Scrolls, DOOM and other popular Bethesda Softworks titles, but will also include upcoming new releases such as Redfall.

Additional territories beyond Europe that are now covered include Australia and the MENA region. 2022 is the self-proclaimed ‘Year of Exports’ for Fanattik. The company will be focusing on expanding its licensed gift ranges, which are currently available from market-leading pop culture retailers from Dubai to Germany, and Bethesda Softworks branded product will be part of this push.

As well as homeware, home décor and gifts, Fanattik will invest heavily in expanding its ranges of ‘affordable collectibles’ throughout this three-year extension.

Anthony Marks, M.D Fanattik, says: “Bethesda Softworks has such a rich heritage; we are looking forward to getting our teeth into both new and old titles and creating additional ranges of affordable gifts and collectibles that will continue to sell well for all our retail partners within Europe, and now beyond.”