NEW YORK – April 23, 2012 – Syfy Ventures and Hasbro, Inc. (NASDAQ: HAS) today announced they will develop the first ever online social game based on the iconic G.I. JOE brand, marking the latest addition to Syfy Games’ action-packed entertainment slate targeting male core gamers on social network platforms.
The game, G.I. Joe: Special Ops, will launch in June on Facebook and Syfy Games.com (www.syfy.com/gijoe), among other platforms worldwide.
In the arena-based combat game, players can join either the G.I JOE team or the villainous COBRA organization, accessing a huge catalogue of iconic heroes and villains along with spectacular weapons and vehicles.
G.I. Joe: Special Ops will be released under the Syfy Games banner, which is the umbrella brand for Syfy’s gaming projects, including the partnerships with Trion Worlds (Defiance and Rift) and Bigpoint (Battlestar Galatica Online).
As part of the agreement granting exclusive worldwide licensing rights on online social media platforms for a fresh take on the classic G.I. JOE brand, Syfy Games will serve as publisher. Artplant, creator of the award-winning Battlestar Galactica Online, will develop the game, which will be free-to-play.
Said Dave Howe, President, Syfy: “The G.I. JOE brand holds a special place in fans’ hearts, and we’re delighted to offer both those long-time fans and new players an action-packed gaming experience in a fresh and exciting way. Since we launched our social game platform, nearly 90% of our players are male, compared to the typical social game audience which skews female. With G.I. Joe: Special Ops, we will build upon this early momentum and significantly expand our audience to reach that underserved male social gamer and deliver them the best social games around.â€
“As a global leader in branded play and gaming, Hasbro is thrilled to be working with Syfy Games to deliver the G.I. Joe: Special Ops social game for Facebook,†said Mark Blecher, Senior Vice President of digital marketing, Hasbro, Inc. “The epic G.I. JOE vs. COBRA saga is a perfect fit for this gaming platform and we’re excited to deliver our classic characters such as SNAKE EYES and COBRA COMMANDER to fans in this new format.â€
In addition to G.I. Joe: Special Ops, Syfy Ventures also announced its initial slate of social games, published under the Syfy Games banner. This platform consists of an expanding suite of high quality social games embracing the sci-fi, fantasy, paranormal, action/adventure and superhero genres, ranging from original content to games based upon Syfy programming. Syfy Games will use the platform to grow Syfy and third-party published games targeting genre fans and the core gamer.
Syfy Monster Island (Developer – Sneaky Games)
Inspired by Syfy’s popular Saturday Original Movies (Sharktopus, Mega Python Vs Gatoroid), players hunt down and capture a cadre of bizarre monsters to discover the dark secrets of their origins.
Stardrift Empires (Developer – Blue Frog Gaming)
Players colonize planets, build massive fleets of warships and form alliances as they build their own intergalactic empire.
Rise of Villains (Developer – Eruptive Games) (Launch date: Spring)
Fans suit up as a super villain with an array of amazing powers and weapons to overthrow governments and take over cities in the ultimate fight for world domination.
About Hasbro
Hasbro, Inc. (NASDAQ: HAS) is a branded play company providing children and families around the world with a wide-range of immersive entertainment offerings based on the Company’s world class brand portfolio. From toys and games, to television programming, motion pictures, digital gaming and a comprehensive licensing program, Hasbro strives to delight its global customers with well-known and beloved brands such as TRANSFORMERS, LITTLEST PET SHOP, NERF, PLAYSKOOL, MY LITTLE PONY, G.I. JOE, MAGIC: THE GATHERING and MONOPOLY. The Company’s Hasbro Studios develops and produces television programming for markets around the world. The Hub TV Network is part of a multi-platform joint venture between Hasbro and Discovery Communications (NASDAQ: DISCA, DISCB, DISCK), in the U.S. Through the company’s deep commitment to corporate social responsibility, including philanthropy, Hasbro is helping to build a safe and sustainable world for future generations and to positively impact the lives of millions of children and families every year. It has been recognized for its efforts by being named one of the “World’s Most Ethical Companies.†Learn more at www.hasbro.com. © 2012 Hasbro, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
Launched in 2008, Syfy Ventures serves as the business development and new enterprise unit for Syfy, one of the world’s leading media and entertainment companies. Syfy’s portfolio of businesses transcends the television screen, and focuses upon next-generation brand extensions, including both media and non-media properties. Syfy Ventures rapidly expanding portfolio includes four major business lines: Gaming, Kids, Online & Mobile, and Consumer Products. Syfy Games is the umbrella brand for Syfy’s gaming projects, including the partnerships with Trion Worlds and Bigpoint.
Syfy is a media destination for imagination-based entertainment. With year round acclaimed original series, events, blockbuster movies, classic science fiction and fantasy programming, a dynamic Web site (www.Syfy.com), and a portfolio of adjacent business (Syfy Ventures), Syfy is a passport to limitless possibilities. Originally launched in 1992 as SCI FI Channel, and currently in more than 98 million homes, Syfy is a network of NBCUniversal, one of the world’s leading media and entertainment companies. (Syfy. Imagine greater.)