The LEGO Group and PlayStation team up for LEGO Horizon Forbidden West Tallneck set

The LEGO Group and PlayStation have joined forces to create the first LEGO set inspired by the world of Horizon Forbidden West, developed in collaboration with the video game’s creator, Guerrilla Games.

Designed for adults as a build and display model, the 1,222-piece Horizon Forbidden West Tallneck set will take builders into an adventure world through the character of Aloy, a fierce machine hunter, and the Tallneck, the iconic machine she uses in her mission to restore order and balance in Horizon Forbidden West.

“Getting to team up with Guerrilla was truly remarkable,” says Isaac Snyder, Designer at the LEGO Group. “The Guerrilla team is incredibly passionate about the world of Horizon Forbidden West and were a huge help in ensuring we were able to create an authentic representation in LEGO form.

“Thanks to our close collaboration we were able to include references to all the most iconic aspects of Horizon Forbidden West, from incredible machines to mysterious ruins, unique tribes and stunning scenery. There is a huge amount of mutual respect between the design teams and everyone involved was beyond excited to see this model come to life. Our hope is that everyone building this model has as much fun as we did designing it.”

The buildable Horizon Forbidden West Tallneck model measures over 34 cm high x 23 cm wide x 17 cm deep and will be available from May 2022 at LEGO.com, LEGO brand Retail Stores, and major retailers globally for 69.99 GDP/79.99 EUR/ 79.99 USD.

Fans eager to learn more can get a sneak peak of the model in this video posted today.

The LEGO Group and PlayStation team up for LEGO Horizon Forbidden West Tallneck set

The LEGO Group and PlayStation have joined forces to create the first LEGO set inspired by the world of Horizon Forbidden West, developed in collaboration with the video game’s creator, Guerrilla Games.

Designed for adults as a build and display model, the 1,222-piece Horizon Forbidden West Tallneck set will take builders into an adventure world through the character of Aloy, a fierce machine hunter, and the Tallneck, the iconic machine she uses in her mission to restore order and balance in Horizon Forbidden West.

“Getting to team up with Guerrilla was truly remarkable,” says Isaac Snyder, Designer at the LEGO Group. “The Guerrilla team is incredibly passionate about the world of Horizon Forbidden West and were a huge help in ensuring we were able to create an authentic representation in LEGO form.

“Thanks to our close collaboration we were able to include references to all the most iconic aspects of Horizon Forbidden West, from incredible machines to mysterious ruins, unique tribes and stunning scenery. There is a huge amount of mutual respect between the design teams and everyone involved was beyond excited to see this model come to life. Our hope is that everyone building this model has as much fun as we did designing it.”

The buildable Horizon Forbidden West Tallneck model measures over 34 cm high x 23 cm wide x 17 cm deep and will be available from May 2022 at LEGO.com, LEGO brand Retail Stores, and major retailers globally for 69.99 GDP/79.99 EUR/ 79.99 USD.

Fans eager to learn more can get a sneak peak of the model in this video posted today.

Sony Pictures Consumer Products adds PlayStation brand and gaming IP to North American licensing portfolio

Sony Pictures Consumer Products (SPCP) has announced that the company will work with Sony Interactive Entertainment (SIE) to represent merchandise licensing in North America for the PlayStation brand and its PlayStation Studios games, including God of War, Horizon Zero Dawn and The Last of Us. As part of this collaboration SPCP will manage master toy deals and work closely with SIE to execute licensing programs in North America that tie into global PlayStation licensing strategies.

This collaboration is only related to licensing in North America and will enable SIE to leverage SPCP’s deep expertise in merchandise licensing. SIE will continue to have ownership and approval of the use of its intellectual property, including first-party games, and the PlayStation brand.

“SPCP is a natural fit to help lead merchandise licensing in North America for the PlayStation brand and our first-party games,” says Grace Chen, VP, Global Marketing, Sony Interactive Entertainment. “We are happy to be able to partner with other Sony companies, like SPCP, to leverage their strengths and best practices. This collaboration will help ensure great treatment of our IP in licensing deals as well as innovative merchandising ideas PlayStation fans are sure to love.”

The announcement comes during a dynamic year for the PlayStation brand, with the launch of PlayStation 5 in 2020 and upcoming entertainment content based on popular games, including a film based on Uncharted and a TV Series based on The Last of Us.

“We’re confident this strategic collaboration will provide fans with even more ways to interact with the PlayStation brand and their favourite PlayStation gaming IP through creative consumer products in North America,” says Jamie Stevens, EVP, Worldwide Consumer Products, Sony Pictures Entertainment. “By partnering across Sony divisions, we are able to leverage existing teams and infrastructures to maximise brand exposure and create great products for fans. We look forward to working closely with the PlayStation team to develop new strategies to grow the business.”

 

 

Bullseye scores Nintendo and PlayStation games deal with digital developer Sabec

The video games developer, Sabec, has signed a new partnership with Bulldog Licensing to create a series of digital games for download across the Nintendo Switch and PlayStation, based in the British gameshow, Bullseye.

Sabec is considered a leader in its field of developing games for licensed brands and its own IP, having worked with leading global entertainment brands like Hasbro, MTV, and Wiley Publishing as an approved Nintendo, PlayStation, Microsoft XBox, Apple, Roku, Samsung, Oculus, and Google developer.

Bullseye, meanwhile, is a much-loved British gameshow that first made its appearance in 1981 to reach is peak audience figures of 19.8 million on Boxing Day 1989. Now celebrating its 40th anniversary this year, the brand continues to hold a place in the hearts of the British public. In fact, when Sky Challenge relaunched the gameshow in 2006, it quickly became the channel’s top rating show.

Bulldog Licensing’s consumer products programme for the brand features an internet scratch card game from Camelot, and a spot on Cosmic Concept’s pub quizzes. The agency has been working closely with licensees to create strong collections of apparel and leisurewear, toys and games, and housewares.

“Bullseye is the perfect fit for digital gaming,” said Rob Corney, MD, Bulldog Licensing. “The show’s format is loved nationwide and is a firm family favourite, so we’re thrilled to have Sabec on board to bring the experience into people’s homes with innovative gaming concepts.”

Trudi Hayward, co-founder of BRAND-WARD Services Ltd, who brokered the deal, speaking on behalf of Sabec, said that Bullseye is a perfect fit for Sabec and console games, because darts is becoming increasingly more popular.

“Bullseye has such heritage in the UK, we know the game will be a sure fire hit, not just the fans that remember Bullseye but the younger generation who enjoy darts too,” she said.

GB eye launches new eco-friendly gifting range in partnership with local companies

The posters and giftware specialist, GB eye Ltd is launching a new eco-range of sustainable gifts in collaboration with a local Sheffield manufacturer that will tap into some of the biggest IP of the moment, including Pokemon, PLayStation, Harry Potter and DC Comics.

The partnership is the latest move from the gifting manufacturer and distributor to expand its environmentally friendly ranges, tapping into the shift in consumer mindset for more sustainable products at retail. The new range focuses on reducing the carbon footprint from design conception to the end product.

GB eye is adopting a strategy to source local and reduce international manufacture and import.

The range is set to launch in mid-October with the introduction of the new stainless-steel water bottles. Made within a stone’s throw of the GB eye headquarters in the city of Sheffield, the water bottles will be available across a collection of licences including top tier names such as Pokémon, PlayStation, Harry Potter, and DC Comics, which will appeal to environmentally aware consumers.

Also joining the range in late 2020 will be the tote bag collection. Produced locally from natural fibres, the tote bags aim to help reduce the amount of single-use plastic bags used daily. With favourite names including Pokémon, DC Comics, Harry Potter, Dragon Ball and Stormtrooper, the tote bags will become a key product staple within the eco-range which will see further products join the collection in early 2021.

Nicola Hallam, head of product at GB eye Ltd., said: “The eco-range has been a core focus for us throughout 2020 as we continue to look at ways in which to reduce our carbon impact on the environment.

“Expanding our product ranges to include more sustainable products is the first step as we explore new ways to better protect the world around us. We look forward to adding to the collection in 2021 with further internationally recognised licensed names.”

The sustainable launch comes as part of a continued focus on GB eye’s environmental impact. The company has printed its extensive poster ranges on FSC-certified paper for over 12 years and is committed to making internal process changes where possible, to streamline design and sourcing processes, ensuring the drive to run on a zero-waste policy.

WWE unveils World of Tanks mashup for PlayStation and Xbox

WWE is leaping into the ring with Wargaming’s World of Tanks video game with the launch of its Update 5.0 – Season One SummerSlam, that will see a new collection of Superstar Collector Tanks land within the game, each inspired by WWE Superstars including The Undertaker, Becky Lynch, Stone Cold Steve Austin, and Andre the Giant.

Running from now until Monday, September 21, SummerSlam brings an exclusive new season pass featuring WWE inspired tanks, Superstar collectable crews, new garages and more to World of Tanks players on PlayStation and Xbox.

Players will also be given the ability to experience their own redesigned WWE Garage – including Superstar introductions for their vehicles, unique visuals for each Premium Collector Tank, and two sets of crew chests that will include the aforementioned five Superstars and Legends to start in addition to Roman Reigns, “Macho Man” Randy Savage, “Rowdy” Roddy Piper, Ric Flair and Shawn Michaels in August.

Update 5.0 will also introduce cross-play between PlayStation 4 and Xbox One users, giving players the opportunity to pit their skills against one another in an expanded player base with quicker matchmaking speeds across all tiers. For real-time-strategy fans, the popular Commander mode returns allowing players to get a different angle on the intense tank fighting and tactics.

TJ Wagner, executive producer of Wargaming Chicago-Baltimore, said: “The update 5.0 and launch of Season One is probably the biggest one our team in Chicago has done in a couple of years. Partnering with WWE has been a fantastic experience and is bringing unique new content to our players, who can expect more updates like SummerSlam in the future.

“With update 5.0 e’re very excited to be able to address many player requests and desires for our game like cross-play that unites PlayStation and Xbox tankers, to make match making faster and better.”