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Tag: Paul Condolora

  • Cartoon Network US to develop Massively Multiplayer Online Game with Grigon Entertainment

    Cartoon Network US to develop Massively Multiplayer Online Game with Grigon Entertainment

    MUMBAI: US kids broadcaster Cartoon Network has announced that it is developing its first massively multi-player online game (MMOG) in a partnership with a leading MMOG developer, Seoul-based Grigon Entertainment.

    Cartoon Network New Media will debut the game in the US. This is the first-ever partnership between a US entertainment company and a Korean developer to create an MMOG for the global marketplace.

    The Cartoon Network MMOG will launch in 2008 and target the growing and sophisticated kids’ interactive gaming market. The game will be free to download, with subscription and micro-transactions available to players to enhance the gaming experience. New areas for exploration and play are planned and will be added regularly over a span of several years.

    The game brings Cartoon Network’s characters and sensibility to the online gaming realm with an “East-meets-West” creative approach. Grigon Entertainment is best known for successfully developing and launching several online games in Asia, including Seal Online, a light-hearted role-playing game (RPG) that took the online gaming world by surprise. Localized versions are available in Korea, Japan, Taiwan, China, Indonesia and Thailand.

    Cartoon Network executive VP, GM Jim Samples says, “Cartoon Network is an immersive experience for our fans, and this MMOG will allow our fans to interact with their favorite characters like never before. Not only will kids be able to play with their favorite characters like Mac and Bloo, Ben 10 and the Kids Next Door, but they will also be able to develop their own online gaming personalities and interact, virtually, with other players in a safe way.

    “This MMOG is a key part of Cartoon Network’s growth strategy, and is an important complement to our mobile, broadband and existing online business. With the MMOG, mobile content, our Web sites and, of course, our linear network, Cartoon Network is always on for kids.”

    Cartoon Network new media senior VP, GM Paul Condolora says, “Online games have been the most important driver of Cartoon Network New Media’s success over the last few years. With more than 84 million U.S. homes expected to have broadband Internet access by 2008, and Cartoon Network’s reach and creative vision, we’re excited to enter the fast-growing world of massively multiplayer online gaming.

    “In Grigon Entertainment, we have found a partner who understands how to build a successful MMOG for the casual marketplace. With our characters and creative direction, along with Grigon’s experience and technical know-how, we think Cartoon Network’s MMOG will have great success and longevity.”

    Massively multiplayer online gaming has expanded in the US in recent years, with games like World of Warcraft and EverQuest achieving large and loyal followings. Most MMOGs have been driven by high-intensity fighting and action with fantasy elements and have attracted an older, adult audience. To date, few games have targeted younger audiences. In Asia and Europe, where broadband penetration is ahead of that in the United States, MMOGs have been developed for all audiences, from kids to teens and adults.

    Cartoon Network’s games will feature a persistent and expanding world, which will allow players to develop their own characters, attributes and possessions over the course of many months and even years. Players may also meet and interact with other players online, forming virtual friendships and communities. Cartoon Network’s MMOG will be compliant with the Children’s Online Privacy and Protection Act (Coppa) and will offer a safe gaming environment for players.

  • Cartoon Network US announces a new broadband venture

    Cartoon Network US announces a new broadband venture

    MUMBAI: US kids broadcaster Cartoon Network and Viz Media have announced a joint venture called Toonami Jetstream.

    The broadband service which launches on 17 July 2006 will provide on-demand, full-length streaming episodes of a number of hit animé and action series, including acclaimed hit series Naruto and Samurai Jack. In addition, users will also be able to watch full-length episodes of series like Hikaru No Go, Mar and The Prince of Tennis that are not currently offered on US broadcast or basic cable television.

    Cartoon Network and Viz Media will jointly manage and administer acquisitions and programming. Each week, new episodes will be added to the site while previous episodes will also be available through the Toonami Jetstream archive. Toonami Jetstream, an online extension of Cartoon Network’s long-running and successful Toonami action-adventure television franchise, is a free service, supported by advertising that includes both banners and streaming video ads.

    Cartoon Network senior VP, GM new media Paul Condolora says, “Cartoon Network has long been the dominant TV provider of the best animé and action. And we were the first to stream, in 2001, full-length animé series online. Now, with this joint venture with Viz Media, we will give our fans the chance to view popular shows on-demand and follow new series that cannot be seen anywhere else.

    “We also believe that this will bring new fans to the action/animé genre, create interest in new shows and build the overall popularity of Toonami on Cartoon Network.”

    Viz Media executive VP John Easum says, “Toonami Jetstream will provide our current fans and new fans alike with unlimited opportunities to view our popular hit shows such as Naruto. It will also give us the opportunity to share with our fans an unprecedented variety of Japan’s newest and most exciting animated series. We are thrilled to be expanding our strong relationship with Cartoon Network. Viz Media is one of the industry’s leading licensors of Japanese animation and Cartoon Network is the preeminent broadcaster of Japanese animation and we believe that our collective forces will make Toonami Jetstream the online destination of choice for action-adventure animation fans.”

    Five series are currently slated for the July launch of Toonami Jetstream. In Naruto, an evil Nine-Tailed-Fox demon that terrorised The Hidden Leaf Village was sealed inside the body of a baby in order to end the decimation of the village. A rule that forbade anyone to tell him that he possessed the spirit of the Nine-Tailed-Fox left Naruto unaware of why the villagers shunned him. Now a teenager, he attempts to earn the villagers’ respect by training to become the village’s top ninja.

    As Naruto develops his skills, he must learn to control his special powers to become the respected master ninja. Through exciting adventures, the young ninja learns the importance of friendship, teamwork, loyalty, hard work, creativity, ingenuity and right versus wrong.

    Samurai Jack which is one of Cartoon Networks most popular shows encounters an array of cultures and civilisations as he travels the world seeking the portal to send him back to his own time. A man of few words, Jack relies on his mental and physical training as a warrior to help him fend off the evil wizard’s forces.

    Hikaru No Go tells the story of Hikaru Shindo, a young student who stumbles across a dusty old Go board while exploring his grandfather’s attic. Trapped inside is Fujiwara-no-Sai, the ghost of an ancient Go master that enters Hikaru’s consciousness, allowing him to communicate with the spirit. Sai, newly awakened, wishes for nothing more than to play Go again. Urged on by Sai, Hikaru reluctantly begins playing Go. As he begins to appreciate the complexities of the game, Hikaru makes it his quest to become the ultimate Go champion.

    Mar features Ginta, an average 14-year-old boy, until a mysterious portal suddenly transports him into the fairy tale realm he envisions in his dreams, the World of MÄR. In MÄR, Ginta acquires super human strength and Babbo- a talking magical weapon knows as an ARM. Together, Ginta and Babbo embark on a quest to save the World of MÄR from total domination by the evil chess pieces.

    In The Prince of Tennis the backdrop of middle school tennis serves as the setting for this sports drama and coming-of-age story. The Prince of Tennis, created by Takeshi Konomi, depicts the on-and off-the-court adventures of Ryoma Echizen, who joins the Seishun Academy tennis team, known for being one of the most competitive teams in Japan. With his undeniable talent (and sometimes shamelessly cocky attitude), Ryoma is ready to lead his team to victory.

    Viz Media works in the field of manga (graphic novel) publishing, animation and entertainment licensing of Japanese content.