Tinderbox brings Tell Me Why video game soundtrack to vinyl in iam8bit deal

Posted on 5th July 2021 by Sam Giltrow

Xbox Game Studios Publishing has partnered with iam8bit and DONTNOD Entertainment to bring the soundtrack of the episodic narrative adventure gaming title, Tell Me Why, to vinyl.

In a deal brokered by the video game licensing specialist and digital media division of Beanstalk, Tinderbox, the new LP will feature 17 songs from the composer and musician Ryan Scott and the ethereal soundtrack to the popular adventure game.

‘The score is as complex as the game’s themes, with sparse passages building into complicated and soaring melodies,’ read a description of the soundtrack.

Packaged inside is a sleeve that faithfully recreates the in-game Book of Goblins. Fiber artist, Theo Randall, was inspired by the game’s handcrafted piece which is seen as an emotional touchstone throughout Tell Me Why. iam8bit used quilting, linotype stamping and applique techniques to create a physical piece that embodies the game’s unique attributes.

“The quilted theme is further underscored by embossing and debossing, which creates the illusion that the soundtrack album has been pulled from the game into this world. It’s a remarkable piece of tactile art that draws inspiration from not only the Book of Goblins but also Tell Me Why’s deeper themes,” said the firm.

Tell Me Why is an episodic narrative that tells the story of twins, Tyler and Alyson Ronan, who return to their childhood home in Alaska to investigate their mother’s death. Their telepathic bond sets them apart and serves to provide the player with insight into DONTNOD’s story about childhood, identity and redemption.

Following its release last year, the game has won several awards, including “Games for Impact” at The Game Awards and “Best Microsoft Xbox Game” at the Best of Gamescom Awards.

DONTNOD’s work in exploring trans identity in mainstream gaming earned Tell Me Why a GLAAD Media Award for “Outstanding Video Game.” Tell Me Why is currently free on Xbox and PC throughout the month of June.

As part of Pride Month, customers can choose to donate a dollar or round up their total at checkout to the nearest dollar in support of Trans Lifeline and The Trevor Project. iam8bit will match those donations. iam8bit is also proudly participating in ohhey.gay, an online initiative designed to support LGBTQ communities The Tell Me Why vinyl soundtrack is available for pre-order on iam8bit today.

The $39.99 album also includes a digital download of the soundtrack. Orders are expected to ship Q1 2022.

Retail Monster secures first partners for Borderlands spin-off video game Tiny Tina’s Wonderlands

Posted on 14th June 2021 by Sam Giltrow

Video game publishers Gearbox Entertainment and 2K have detailed the debut consumer products programme to support the upcoming release of the new fantasy-based shooter game, Tiny Tina’s Wonderlands. Based on the character Tiny Tina from the popular Borderlands video game franchise, the new titles is set to launch on Playstation 4, Playstation 5, Windows PC, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X in early 2022.

The licensing programme around the hotly anticipated game is being led by Retail Monster who has already secured a host of strategically-chosen debut partners across toys, collectables, apparel, accessories, home goods, publushing, and subscription boxes. The group is also exploring complementary categories, with new partners to be announced soon.

“We are thrilled to announce our strongest roster of partners for a new IP in Gearbox history,” said Sean Haran, chief business officer at Gearbox Entertainment. “Expanding Gearbox’s IP outside of videogames has been an exciting and rewarding frontier. With this fresh take on fantasy, we are pursuing ancillary partnerships that reflect our confidence in the broad appeal of this new title.”

Debut partners for the new video game Tiny Tina’s Wonderlands, include Mighty Jaxx for the global distribution of stylised collectables, Bioworld Merchandise for apparel and home accessories, Dark Horse Comics, Funko for a series of Pop! vinyls, and LootCrate for a dedicated Tiny Tina’s Wonderlands Crate.

“Tiny Tina’s Wonderlands is an exciting new world to play within, mixing high fantasy adventure with co-op, looting, and a sense of humor that will be familiar to fans of Borderlands. Most importantly, it has a big sense of fun. We hope to bring that fun and adventure to life through the products our partners create,” said Erica Hollinshead Stead, director of licensing, Gearbox Entertainment.

Developed by Gearbox Entertainment, the anticipated ESRB rating for Tiny Tina’s Wonderlands is T for Teen.

Coolabi’s Warrior Cats leaps onto Roblox with the new Warrior Cats: Ultimate Edition game

Posted on 7th May 2021 by Sam Giltrow

The independent international media group, Coolabi has partnered with Roblox specialists, Aldrich-Callen Studios to develop a new 3D role-play game for global online platform Roblox. The game will be based on its best-selling fantasy brand, Warrior Cats.

The new ‘Warrior Cats: Ultimate Edition’ game will be set within the Forest Territory from the hit book series and will invite players to create and customise their own cat character, explore the vast world of Warriors, join a Clan, and interact with other players to make their own Warrior Cats story.

Warriors is a feline fantasy book series about five clans of wild cats – ShadowClan, RiverClan, ThunderClan, WindClan and StarClan. The series was created by Working Partners, a Coolabi Group company, and has become a publishing hit following the release of over 80 titles, spanning 38 languages and sold over 41 million copies to date. The most recent book, Warriors: The Broken Code: The Place of No Stars, is also a New York Times bestseller, debuting at number eight.

The news of the interactive game comes two years after the launch of the award-winning WarriorCats.com, an official digital destination for Warriors’ ever-growing global fan community, which attracted over 1.3 million visitors in 2020. Since the book series launched, legions of passionate fans across the globe have created fan art, animation and fiction, with user-generated content receiving over 42 million monthly views collectively on YouTube.

There are also over 1000 dedicated Warriors YouTube channels with a new fan video uploaded every 30 mins on average.

Last year Coolabi Group conducted a survey with over 10,000 members of its Warrior Cats fanbase established that not only do they love gaming, but Roblox was one of the most popular online platforms.

Naomi Dare, director of digital at Coolabi Group, said: “We’re excited to be launching a Warriors game on Roblox as we know that so many nine to 12 year olds are on the platform, with over half of this age group in the USA playing on Roblox at least once a week. This tends to be the age that people start reading Warriors, so not only does it serve our existing fan base who are desperate to role play in a Warriors world, but it should also attract new fans to the brand too.”

The ‘Warrior Cats: Ultimate Edition’ Roblox game is free to play on Roblox and out now.

Hasbro signs five year Fortnite deal with Epic Games for action figures, vehicles, and more

Posted on 1st March 2021 by Sam Giltrow

Hasbro has outlined a five year extension of its partnership with Epic Games and its world-beating MMO gaming title, Fortnite as the toy company looks to expand its product licensing deal beyond outdoor play products and games and into collectable action figures, vehicles, and role-play gear.

The plan was announced last week during Hasbro’s all-virtual investors event, extending the successful two-year deal brokered by IMG between the global entertainment outfit and Epic Games. The partnership kicked off with the launch of a variety of Fortnite themes NERF blasters and a Fortnite Monopoly.

Now, with the growing partnership, Hasbro is excited to bring new products as well as in-game experiences to Fortnite fans of all ages, first with the recent in-game debut of G.I. JOE character, Snake Eyes. Coinciding with the in-game integration of this fan-favorite character, Hasbro released a Fortnite x G.I. Joe Collab Snake Eyes: Zero Point Edition figure available exclusively on Hasbro Pulse for fans aged 16 and older in the US and Canada.

“Hasbro’s expertise in the realm of collectible figure and role-play segments has yielded incredibly positive results for our long roster of entertainment-based action brands,” said Adam Biehl, SVP and GM at Hasbro, Inc.

“We’ve had tremendous success collaborating with Epic Games and the Fortnite brand over the past few years, and this expanded product licensing partnership allows us to deliver an amazing lineup of Fortnite-inspired toys and collector items that we’re confident fans will be excited to experience.”

New Hasbro-licensed Fortnite products are on track to launch in autumn this year.

Fortnite is the completely free multiplayer game where you and your friends collaborate to create your dream Fortnite world or battle to be the last one standing. Fortnite and its Battle Royale and Creative modes are free and available on PC, Mac, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Switch and Android.