JAKKS Pacific cashing in on the Kinect bandwagon
posted:
11/30/2010 10:25:00 AM
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Kinectimals
Toymaker JAKKS Pacific isn’t going to let the Kinect bandwagon pass them by, and rightfully so. The company has announced a licensing agreement with Microsoft to procude an official line of Kinectimals plush toys.
JAKKS Pacific produced two special edition Kinectimal dolls which were included in collector’s edition version of the game, in the vain of King Cheetah and the Maltese Tiger (available at Toys R Us and Gamestop). Each stuffed animal contains a special “Microsoft Tag” which can be scanned into the Kinect interface to unlock each animal within the Kinectimals game. The same concept is going to be used with the retail versions of the plush toys.
While the specific lineup has not been announced, Microsoft has stated that JAKKS will produce five unique Kinectimals for release to the retail market. The animals are expected to begin shipping to retailers in the Spring. You can read the full press release regarding the licensing agreement after the jump...
JAKKS Pacific produced two special edition Kinectimal dolls which were included in collector’s edition version of the game, in the vain of King Cheetah and the Maltese Tiger (available at Toys R Us and Gamestop). Each stuffed animal contains a special “Microsoft Tag” which can be scanned into the Kinect interface to unlock each animal within the Kinectimals game. The same concept is going to be used with the retail versions of the plush toys.
While the specific lineup has not been announced, Microsoft has stated that JAKKS will produce five unique Kinectimals for release to the retail market. The animals are expected to begin shipping to retailers in the Spring. You can read the full press release regarding the licensing agreement after the jump...
LAKKS Pacific Launches Kinectimals Plush Toys for Microsoft’s Kinect for Xbox 360
MALIBU, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--JAKKS Pacific, Inc. (Nasdaq: JAKK) announced a licensing agreement with Microsoft to design and manufacture interactive plush toys - beginning with a King Cheetah and Maltese Tiger - that integrate with the “Kinectimals” video game for Kinect™ for Xbox 360® entertainment system that launched worldwide this month. In addition, JAKKS will produce a mainline plush assortment, which is expected to be sold at mass retailers in the U.S. starting in Spring 2011 and is slated to feature five unique plush animals in the first wave.
“JAKKS was the perfect partner to create the type of plush toys we felt contained the same high quality and emotional value we focused on in the game. We couldn’t be happier with the end product.”
Limited collector’s editions of the “Kinectimals” game packaged with a 7” plush toy are now available at select retailers around the globe. In the U.S., Toys “R” Us® will exclusively sell the King Cheetah limited collector’s edition and GameStop® will exclusively carry the Maltese Tiger limited collector’s edition. Both sell for $59.99 (US ERP).
JAKKS limited collector’s edition “Kinectimals” plush toys work with Microsoft Tag (mtag) technology, allowing players to scan the tag on their plush toy with the Kinect for Xbox 360 sensor and watch the King Cheetah or Maltese Tiger appear in the game. With their very own plush pals, players can keep their new friends with them even when they’re away from their Xbox 360s.
Jack McGrath, Executive Vice President, Operations for JAKKS Pacific, stated, “We are excited to launch an interactive product based on one of the Kinect for Xbox 360 launch titles and pioneer a new way of gameplay.”
“Kinectimals” invites children, their parents and animal lovers of all ages to build lasting friendships with some of the world’s most exotic creatures. Players embark on a journey of discovery with their pets using full body movement, voice commands and gestures, made possible by the controller-free magic of Kinect for Xbox 360. Just like real pets, animals will come running when they hear the player’s voice, respond to commands* like “jump,” “roll-over” and “play dead,” and purr with joy when they are scratched behind the ears.
The “Kinectimals” journey begins when players adopt and name one of five playful feline friends and set out to discover the island they live on. As they journey with their cub to solve the “Legend of Felis Aurum” (the Gold Cat), they will unlock six more animals. The standalone “Kinectimals” game sells for $49.99 (US SRP). For $59.99, the limited collector’s editions allow players to add a choice of two additional furry friends – an exclusive Maltese Tiger or King Cheetah – to the game.
“Our goal with ‘Kinectimals’ was to create a game where players could form a strong emotional bond with animals, so we thought it would be a great extension to have a physical version of our adorable cubs that people could take home, play with and collect,” said Jorg Neumann, Studio Manager for Kinect games. “JAKKS was the perfect partner to create the type of plush toys we felt contained the same high quality and emotional value we focused on in the game. We couldn’t be happier with the end product.”
*Not all countries will receive full voice support features. See xbox.com/kinectimals for a list of supported countries.
About JAKKS Pacific, Inc.
JAKKS Pacific, Inc. (NASDAQ: JAKK) is a leading designer and marketer of toys and consumer products, with a wide range of products that feature some of the most popular brands and children's toy licenses in the world. JAKKS’ diverse portfolio includes Action Figures, Electronics, Dolls, Dress-Up, Role Play, Halloween Costumes, Kids Furniture, Vehicles, Plush, Art Activity Kits, Seasonal Products, Infant/Pre-School, Construction Toys and Pet Toys sold under various proprietary brands including JAKKS Pacific®, Creative Designs International™, Road Champs®, Funnoodle®, JAKKS Pets™, Plug It In & Play TV Games™, Girl Gourmet™, Kids Only!™, Tollytots® and Disguise™. JAKKS is an award-winning licensee of several hundred nationally and internationally known trademarks including Disney®, Nickelodeon®, Warner Bros.®, Ultimate Fighting Championship®, Hello Kitty®, Graco® and Cabbage Patch Kids®. www.jakks.com
This press release may contain forward-looking statements (within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995) that are based on current expectations, estimates and projections about JAKKS Pacific's business based partly on assumptions made by its management. These statements are not guarantees of future performance and involve risks, uncertainties and assumptions that are difficult to predict. Therefore, actual outcomes and results may differ materially from what is expressed or forecasted in such statements due to numerous factors, including, but not limited to, those described above, changes in demand for JAKKS' products, product mix, the timing of customer orders and deliveries, the impact of competitive products and pricing, and difficulties with integrating acquired businesses. The forward-looking statements contained herein speak only as of the date on which they are made, and JAKKS undertakes no obligation to update any of them to reflect events or circumstances after the date of this release.
© 2010 JAKKS Pacific, Inc. All rights reserved.
MALIBU, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--JAKKS Pacific, Inc. (Nasdaq: JAKK) announced a licensing agreement with Microsoft to design and manufacture interactive plush toys - beginning with a King Cheetah and Maltese Tiger - that integrate with the “Kinectimals” video game for Kinect™ for Xbox 360® entertainment system that launched worldwide this month. In addition, JAKKS will produce a mainline plush assortment, which is expected to be sold at mass retailers in the U.S. starting in Spring 2011 and is slated to feature five unique plush animals in the first wave.
“JAKKS was the perfect partner to create the type of plush toys we felt contained the same high quality and emotional value we focused on in the game. We couldn’t be happier with the end product.”
Limited collector’s editions of the “Kinectimals” game packaged with a 7” plush toy are now available at select retailers around the globe. In the U.S., Toys “R” Us® will exclusively sell the King Cheetah limited collector’s edition and GameStop® will exclusively carry the Maltese Tiger limited collector’s edition. Both sell for $59.99 (US ERP).
JAKKS limited collector’s edition “Kinectimals” plush toys work with Microsoft Tag (mtag) technology, allowing players to scan the tag on their plush toy with the Kinect for Xbox 360 sensor and watch the King Cheetah or Maltese Tiger appear in the game. With their very own plush pals, players can keep their new friends with them even when they’re away from their Xbox 360s.
Jack McGrath, Executive Vice President, Operations for JAKKS Pacific, stated, “We are excited to launch an interactive product based on one of the Kinect for Xbox 360 launch titles and pioneer a new way of gameplay.”
“Kinectimals” invites children, their parents and animal lovers of all ages to build lasting friendships with some of the world’s most exotic creatures. Players embark on a journey of discovery with their pets using full body movement, voice commands and gestures, made possible by the controller-free magic of Kinect for Xbox 360. Just like real pets, animals will come running when they hear the player’s voice, respond to commands* like “jump,” “roll-over” and “play dead,” and purr with joy when they are scratched behind the ears.
The “Kinectimals” journey begins when players adopt and name one of five playful feline friends and set out to discover the island they live on. As they journey with their cub to solve the “Legend of Felis Aurum” (the Gold Cat), they will unlock six more animals. The standalone “Kinectimals” game sells for $49.99 (US SRP). For $59.99, the limited collector’s editions allow players to add a choice of two additional furry friends – an exclusive Maltese Tiger or King Cheetah – to the game.
“Our goal with ‘Kinectimals’ was to create a game where players could form a strong emotional bond with animals, so we thought it would be a great extension to have a physical version of our adorable cubs that people could take home, play with and collect,” said Jorg Neumann, Studio Manager for Kinect games. “JAKKS was the perfect partner to create the type of plush toys we felt contained the same high quality and emotional value we focused on in the game. We couldn’t be happier with the end product.”
*Not all countries will receive full voice support features. See xbox.com/kinectimals for a list of supported countries.
About JAKKS Pacific, Inc.
JAKKS Pacific, Inc. (NASDAQ: JAKK) is a leading designer and marketer of toys and consumer products, with a wide range of products that feature some of the most popular brands and children's toy licenses in the world. JAKKS’ diverse portfolio includes Action Figures, Electronics, Dolls, Dress-Up, Role Play, Halloween Costumes, Kids Furniture, Vehicles, Plush, Art Activity Kits, Seasonal Products, Infant/Pre-School, Construction Toys and Pet Toys sold under various proprietary brands including JAKKS Pacific®, Creative Designs International™, Road Champs®, Funnoodle®, JAKKS Pets™, Plug It In & Play TV Games™, Girl Gourmet™, Kids Only!™, Tollytots® and Disguise™. JAKKS is an award-winning licensee of several hundred nationally and internationally known trademarks including Disney®, Nickelodeon®, Warner Bros.®, Ultimate Fighting Championship®, Hello Kitty®, Graco® and Cabbage Patch Kids®. www.jakks.com
This press release may contain forward-looking statements (within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995) that are based on current expectations, estimates and projections about JAKKS Pacific's business based partly on assumptions made by its management. These statements are not guarantees of future performance and involve risks, uncertainties and assumptions that are difficult to predict. Therefore, actual outcomes and results may differ materially from what is expressed or forecasted in such statements due to numerous factors, including, but not limited to, those described above, changes in demand for JAKKS' products, product mix, the timing of customer orders and deliveries, the impact of competitive products and pricing, and difficulties with integrating acquired businesses. The forward-looking statements contained herein speak only as of the date on which they are made, and JAKKS undertakes no obligation to update any of them to reflect events or circumstances after the date of this release.
© 2010 JAKKS Pacific, Inc. All rights reserved.
