Jul 04

Cabeza Patata x Spotify Premium Reel

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Jul 03

SonyLIV to launch OTT gaming destination to reach out 50 MN users

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In an industry first, SonyLIV announced the launch of India’s first OTT gaming destination with over 100 exclusive show-based games, to be launched in a phased manner. With this move, SonyLIV aims to reach out to 50 MN new users offering them a one-stop gaming destination. These games are curated around some of Sony Pictures Networks’ (SPN) biggest IP’s across channels like KBC, CID, Crime Patrol, The Kapil Sharma Show, Patiala Babes, Baalveer, Kicko & Super Speedo, amongst others.

Sony Pictures Networks India head – content, partnerships and new initiatives Amogh Dusad commented, “At SonyLIV, we always try to push the envelope in user engagement by diversifying our offerings. The launch of our OTT gaming destination with absolute in-house expertise is a leap ahead in content innovations and ushering in an experience unexplored before on OTT. The Multi-player Video Quiz and Augmented Reality format Games also give our audience a chance to reconnect with their favourite shows and characters in a completely different and engaging context.”

SonyLIV is not only scaling up its portfolio with multiplayer video quiz and augmented reality-enabled formats but Is again the first OTT player in the country to launch show-based games. This is another pioneering first from SonyLIV, which was the first OTT to be launched in the Indian market in 2013.

As per a recent KPMG report, the Indian gaming industry is estimated at INR 43.8 billion in FY18 and is expected to grow further at 22.1 per cent CAGR taking it to INR 118.8 billion by 2023. Increased digital usage and the rise in the number of gamers, will be key in headlining this growth in online gaming. SonyLIV’s launch of the OTT gaming destination is reflective of this progress and is sure to catalyse more change in audience consumption patterns.

Sony Pictures Networks India business head  digital Uday Sodhi says, “India houses 10 per cent of the world’s gamers and this number is slated to rise exponentially. With the launch of our OTT gaming platform, we intend to trigger this target segment and capture the market to an extent of 50 million users. This falls in line with India’s OTT market share predictions, which is expected to triple its size in the next four years. Our database of 100+ games will cater to every generation of gamers that we aim to engage with through a plethora of events to capture their attention.”

Home to an ever-growing content catalogue, SonyLIV aims to tap over 50 MN new users with this one of a kind gaming experience. From video quiz formats to uniquely designed board games to big ticket tournaments, there is something for everyone between the age group of seven to 35 years in this one-stop gaming destination. In addition to this, SonyLIV will also introduce exciting augmented reality (AR) games around iconic shows from Sony Pictures Networks India (SPN) like Crime Patrol, Baalveer, CID, Aladdin Naam To Suna Hoga, and Tenali Rama amongst others.

The platform will also introduce an array of user engagement features to gratify winners with abundant opportunities. With the Game Store hosting a 24X7 tournament feature, consumers will stand a chance to win cash anywhere between Rs. 1 to Rs. 5000 depending upon the size and duration of the tournament. But that’s not all! For the first time ever, through the Daily Rewards Feature users will also stand a chance to meet-and-greet celebrities or attend famous shows like KBC, Indian Idol, The Kapil Sharma Show, Super Dancer and others just by playing games on the platform.

 

 

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Jul 03

Hans Ulrich Stoef sashays with ‘Toons 2 Tango’

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Renowned kids’ entrepreneur Hans Ulrich Stoef (Ulli Stoef) has launched a new worldwide television production and distribution operation Toon 2 Tango GmbH & Co. KG.  Founded and headed by Hans Ulrich Stoef, former CEO of m4e and Studio 100 Media in Munich, Toon 2 Tango is poised for the international television market.

With offices in Munich, Toon 2 Tango will specialize in IP creation, development, production, distribution and brand building within the kids and family entertainment sector.  The new company will also look to co-financing and acquiring quality programming with strong international appeal.

Under the direction of Ulli Stoef, Toon 2 Tango will be positioned as a major worldwide operation across all children’s and family entertainments IP’s offering high quality content with strong story-telling and unique characters at its core.

Upon making the announcement of the company’s launch, Ulli Stoef commented, “This is an incredibly exciting venture to build Toon 2 Tango from the ground to a leading player in the field.  Working in the international television and movie arena for over 30 years, Toon 2 Tango represents a personal challenge and I am very pleased to continue working with my friends and network partners around the world.  I’m keen to utilize the vital and unique experience I have gained working in this great industry.  We want to explore, develop and produce new IP’s and help creative talent to open doors to commercial success”.

Ulli Stoef began his professional career in the toys and games sector with German games publisher Schmidt Spiele and held several positions thereafter including Managing Director and shareholder at Universal Studios Consumer Products Merchandising GmbH and CTM Concept-TV & Merchandising GmbH, Chief Executive Officer and founder at m4e AG.  He became Chief Executive Officer of Studio 100 Media in 2017 when Studio 100 Group, Belgium acquired a majority stake in m4e.  He was also Chairman of the Group Content Committee.

As a producer and brand builder he was responsible for many brands, including Mia and Me, Huntik, How and Why TV, Wissper, Tim Thaler and Tip the Mouse.  Ulli Stoef also had a hand in various brands, including the hit franchise Mia and Me, Winx Club, Monster Allergy, Sitting Ducks, Digimon, Dragonball Z and Hamtaro which were created and/or co-produced /or imported and managed by him and his team at m4e AG and CTM.

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Jul 03

Fans pay tribute and welcomes Spider-Man to Mumbai with graffiti

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In anticipation of the upcoming superhero film Spider-Man: Far From Home, fans painted Spider-Man graffiti art across the streets of Mumbai. Well, looks like they are eagerly waiting for their favourite superhero to come to the theatres soon.

The favourite superhero and his mates are nothing less when it comes to giving back love to their fans. Spider-Man: Far From Home stars Tom Holland, Zendaya and Jake Gyllenhaal paid a visit to the Children’s Hospital in Los Angeles. They signed autographs, took selfies and hung out with patients.

In the upcoming sequel, Holland reprises his role as the titular web-slinger, Zendaya returns as Spider-Man’s crush MJ, and Gyllenhaal joins as Mysterio.

Directed by Jon Watts, Spider-Man: Far From Home launches in North America on July 2. The comic-book film debuted in China, Japan and Hong Kong last weekend with a mighty $111 million.

Sony Pictures Entertainment India releases Spider-Man: Far From Home on 4 July 2019 in Hindi, English, Tamil and Telugu.

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Jul 03

Preschool series ‘Kiri and Lou’ to air on ABC Australia

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CAKE has announced a deal with ABC in Australia for 52 episodes of preschool series Kiri and Lou. Kiri and Lou will air daily on ABC Kids from 1 July at 17.50 following the series’ premiere on TVNZ in New Zealand and CBC Canada earlier this year.

Kiri and Lou follows the friendship between Kiri, a feisty little dinosaur and Lou, a gentle and thoughtful creature, as they explore a ‘forest of feelings’ through laughter, song and adventure. Joined by motherly Pania, sensitive Dalvanius, who disappears completely when he feels shy and Sorry, a small but extremely fast little animal who cares about everyone’s feelings, Kiri and Lou invite children to learn about kindness, empathy and how to get along. With warm-hearted and gently humorous storylines, Kiri and Lou is an original and imaginative show full of fun and adventure that will entertain the whole family.

Kiri and Lou was selected for screening at Annecy this year in the TV Films in Competition category.
Ed Galton, CCO and managing director at CAKE, said, “Everyone who has watched Kiri and Lou knows what a special project this is. Charming, instantly captivating and ultimately joyful, we are thrilled that it has now found a home in Australia with ABC Kids where we are sure it will receive tremendous response.”

Hand-crafted in paper and clay and created using traditional stop motion animation from Antony Elworthy (Coraline, Corpse Bride and Isle of Dogs), this 52 x 5 minute series is voiced by Jemaine Clement (Flight of the Conchords, Moana) and Olivia Tennet and is written and directed by feature film director Harry Sinclair. Kiri and Lou is produced by Fiona Copland for Stretchy and Heather Walker of Yowza Animation (Curious George, Welcome To the Wayne).

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Jul 03

‘Jumanji: The Next Level’ official trailer – It’s a different ballgame this time around!

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For those who’ve been clamoring to get back into the ‘jungle’ after the side-splitting yet adventurous sojourn that Dwayne Johnson’s 2017 comic caper embarked on, the official trailer of Jumanji: The Next Level would have tickled them pink.

A sequel to the smasher Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle, the next chapter in the riveting video game brings all our protagonists back into the mix, except there are a few changes this time around.

Not everyone gets back into their original avatars – Johnson, previously embodied by Spencer, is now Spencer’s grandfather instead, played by Danny DeVito, whereas Fridge is the gaming avatar of DeVito’s friend played by Danny Glover.

So the rest of the group, Martha (Karen Gillan), Fridge (Kevin Hart) and Bethany (Jack Black), have a task of finding their friend in the madcap world of Jumanji, all the while having to get through the game too.

As Jumanji’s in-game guide Nigel Billingly promises, this new adventure is “even more challenging” and the action-packed first look of the sequel certainly posits the same: ginormous ostriches chasing our heroes in a sprawling dessert, giant anaconda biting Black’s head off, a monstrous hippo waiting to devour them in a lake, furious macaques coming after them and what not – it’s a wild goose chase!

Also returning to the film are Nick Jonas, Madison Iseman, and Morgan Turner, along with a new character essayed by Awkwafina.

Directed by Jake Kasdan, Jumanji: The Next Level opens the gates on 13 December 2019.

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Jul 03

Blizzard:’Saviors of Uldum’ is the upcoming expansion for digital card game ‘Hearthstone’

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Blizzard Entertainment has unveiled Saviors of Uldum, the adventurous new expansion for the digital card game Hearthstone. It will be available from 6 August, this action-packed second chapter in the game’s year-long storyline picks up where the latest expansion, Rise of Shadows, and its corresponding solo adventure, The Dalaran Heist, left off with thrilling new keywords, intriguing new Hero Powers, and 135 swelteringly new cards.

Blizzard releases three expansions a year for the free-to-play game to give those players a reason to spend more money on digital card packs. In Saviors of Uldum, players will join ranks with the League of Explorers—a motley crew of treasure seekers and Azeroth’s unlikeliest heroes. To get the upper hand against the League of E.V.I.L., players will have to survive such perils as plague cards with powerful, board-sweeping effects and the reborn, restless mummified minions that come back to un-life (with just one health remaining) upon being defeated. Would-be heroes can even the odds by completing all-new quests, a returning mechanic featuring game-changing objective cards that are now easier to achieve and reward players with powerful alternate Hero Powers.

“Starting with Rise of Shadows, and now with Saviors of Uldum, we’re refining game mechanics and exploring new ideas that will add even more layers of depth and strategic decision-making to Hearthstone. We think these new cards, as well as the return of fan-favorite heroes from the League of Explorers expansion, will continue making this the game’s most exciting and competitive year ever,” said  Blizzard Entertainment president J. Allen Brack.

Saviors of Uldum card packs will be winnable in Hearthstone’s arena mode starting with the expansion’s launch on 6 August, and players can purchase them with in-game gold or real money at the same prices as Hearthstone’s other card packs. In addition, players who log in for a limited time after release will be able to claim one of the new legendary quest cards, randomly selected from this set. Starting today and up until launch, players can pre-purchase Saviors of Uldum card packs in two different bundle options: the 50-pack bundle includes a random golden legendary card and the elise Starseeker card back, while the 80-pack mega bundle includes those bonuses along with the new playable elise starseeker Druid Hero. These bundles are available for $49.99 and $79.99, respectively; one of each can be purchased per account.

 

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Jul 03

New Ice Age game ‘Ice Age: Scrat’s Nutty Adventure’ announced

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Bandai Namco and Outright Games have announced an upcoming console and PC game set in the Ice Age film franchise. It’s titled Ice Age: Scrat’s Nutty Adventure, and it’s going hit PS4, Xbox One, PC, and Nintendo Switch soon. Additionally, the game will release this fall.

“At Outright Games, we strive to continue making games that raise the bar for family-friendly entertainment, and we worked to capture the fan-favourite qualities of Scrat in Ice Age: Scrat’s Nutty Adventure,” said Outright Games CEO Terry Malham.

In Ice Age: Scrat’s Nutty Adventure, Scrat, the calamitous sabre-toothed squirrel, will embark on an epic quest through classic Ice Age locations to recover his cherished acorn from the ancient Scratazon Temple. Only the legendary Crystal Nuts can unlock his prized possession, which Scrat will attempt to collect as he faces fierce prehistoric creatures, to return the missing relics to their rightful home. Players will guide Scrat through a perilous journey across icy terrains, raging geysers, and burning lava. Explore adventure-packed locations to discover treasures that unlock special powers and help Scrat to jump higher, grab heavier objects and find every last treasure in this all new Nutty adventure!

Ice Age: Scrat’s Nutty Adventure slated for release this fall. We shall keep you updated on further development.

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Jul 03

Nelvana appoints global licensing agent for Monomi Park’s ‘Slime Rancher’

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Corus Entertainment’s Nelvana, an international producer and distributor of children’s animated and live action content, announced today its global licensing partnership with independent game studio, Monomi Park for its award-winning game, Slime Rancher.

“We are thrilled to announce Nelvana as the global licensing agent for Slime Rancher. We can’t wait to see what wiggly adventures are in store for Beatrix and the slimes, as the Slime Rancher brand expands into all sorts of cool stuff outside the game world we’ve created,” said Monomi Park CEO Nick Popovich.


The exciting new deal will see Nelvana expand the Slime Rancher brand as global licensing agent for consumer products in key categories including toys, publishing, apparel, and accessories.

“With over 2 million units sold and over 10 million total downloads, Slime Rancher has proven to be a fan- favourite. The game taps into creature-collecting with its wide variety of slimes, and we look forward to bringing this unique concept to life with consumer products for audiences around the globe,” said Nelvana Enterprises VP, global consumer products and international distribution Mellany Masterson.

Slime Rancher is a charming, first-person, video game experience, featuring a courageous, young rancher named Beatrix LeBeau who sets out for an adventurous life one-thousand light years away from planet earth on the ‘Far, Far Range.’ Created for children six to eleven, Slime Rancher allows users to play as Beatrix LeBeau, as they collect colourful slimes, grow crops, harvest resources, and explore the untamed wilds through the mastery of an all-purpose vacpack.

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Jul 03

Does outsourcing of project helps in the ease of game development business?

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Like any other business game development also have a market for outsourcing. Eventually, outsourcing begins with a self-assessment of a company’s core identity that forms its unique competitive advantage. For game developers, core competencies can be found in any part of the game development cycle which includes concept development, pre-production, production, testing or distribution.

Many independent studios in the country have an internal team say about five people maximum, who hire dozens of short-term contractors and engage outsourcing companies to make whatever is internally possible. The manpower required to produce games is varied and not trivial in amount, so outsourcing some part of work is always something game developers need to think about.

Mostly the game development businesses evolve under the foundation of a passionate gamer. Game development is that area of business where a developer needs talented and skilled professionals from designers, digital and graphic artists and programmers. India has now grown into one of the most leading countries for outsourcing game development. Adding to that, nowadays even Indian studios are also outsourcing their project for the ease of game development of workflow.  SidKinG studio founder CEO  Kishor Berde who owns the company single-handedly feels that it is pretty much easy nowadays to outsource work. In addition, he said “You can find good creative guys on social media. Harry makes music for my games. He is from the UK. I met him in a Facebook indie game developers group, the internet has made networking easy.”

Outsourcing of project is one of the most common practices in the business.  The reason behind the rush of outsourcing of the project is that it is more economically friendly compared to hiring professionals’ full time. In India, you can find a lot of talented and skilled artists, low cost of production and delivering high-quality products which are some of the reasons that have made outsourcing more popular here. Many companies have started competing in this space and have great growth plans for the future.  Street lamp studio founder Deepak Gurijala who has been recently bagged with ‘Best Mobile Game’ award for the game BOMBARIKA at Casual Connect Europe 2019. He said “We are planning to release multiple games in this year under our own banner and with other mega-publishers. We are looking forward to stabilizing our funds and finances.”

Many Indian studios which are specialised in game art outsourcing have worked with some of the top global game development companies in areas like 3D game art and so on and later started their own business. Taking example QYJO is an indie game development studio who are working full-time to get their first release Gamedev Beatdown out the door. The studio was started by Tejas Shirodkar after quitting his job at EA of over six years as a Technical Director to follow his passion as a game developer, accompanied by Vineeth Haridasan artist later who was also working with  EA for over five years. “Both of us have about a decade of experience working in the industry and felt it was about time we worked on riskier and meatier games that we enjoyed playing ourselves. Our primary skills are in tech and art so we work with other collaborators for certain other areas of the game and had a designer working with us almost for six months full time until very recently. Essentially, we have a small core of competence and adapt our workflow with the needs of the game.”

Outsourcing  is not a simple task always, as it has its own challenges be it working efficiently according to standards or to meet the right vendors. SM Multimedia founder and CEO Saurabh Misra said independent developers find difficulty “to access outsource work within the industry but if you have right contacts or approaches to people it will help you find work. If the client is happy and satisfied with your work he’ll himself promote you to other people and that’s how you form a chain of contacts and work. But the key ingredient in all this process is consistency and patience because all this can happen in a day or in months.”

As every coin has two different sides, likewise every opportunity depends on the favourable conditions, therefore, outsourcing of project can ease your business. However, to identify the right resources for outsourcing your project is what one have to look at. Till then keep us amazed, game developers.

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