ZINKIA inks deal with VIRGIN PLAY for first Pocoyo video console game

Spanish animation company Zinkia has inked a deal with video games publisher and distributor Virgin PLAY to launch “Hello Pocoyo!”, the first video console game based on the award-winning animation series Pocoyo

The deal, signed on the first day of MIPCOM, sees Virgin PLAY´s v.2 PLAY label handling worldwide distribution rights for “Hello Pocoyo!” for Nintendo DS. The console game, which is currently in production at Zinkia´s studio in Madrid, is set to debut in Spain in the first quarter 2008.

Pocoyo, co-produced by Zinkia and Granada International in collaboration with Granada International and Cosgrove Hall, is proving a major multi-platform success story. The series has been licensed to over 100 countries worldwide and is currently available on mobile, web and console. Recent ventures for Pocoyo include its own channel on Youtube, a mobile channel on Vodafone Live in Spain, the blog which has received over 3 million downloads and the official website which has attracted over half a million unique visitors.

Francisco Encinas, Managing Director and Board Member at Virgin PLAY, said: ´We are delighted to welcome the powerful kids franchise Pocoyo to our extensive catalogue. Pocoyo fits perfectly with our strategy of building and developing brands, not only in Spain but on the world stage.´

Victor M. Lopez, Managing Director Zinkia, added: ´Video games play a key role in our brand building strategy for Pocoyo. We decided to produce the first Pocoyo video game, Hello Pocoyo!, for Nintendo DS. We are delighted to be partnering with such a prestigious international publisher Virgin PLAY and feel confident it will be a big success.´

Pocoyo (104 x 7 minutes) tracks the adventures of a fun-loving little boy with an insatiable curiosity, who, accompanied by his band of friends, sets out on a journey of discovery and fun. Set against a white backdrop, using strong visual images, bright colors and catchy music, the series encourages children and carers to interact, dance, sing and laugh. In this way, the animated series stimulates the children to learn through laughter.

From left to right: Tim Chaney (Virgin PLAY President) , Gonzalo Guirao (Zinkia Managing Director), Víctor M. López (Zinkia CEO) and Francisco Encinas (Virgin PLAY Managing Director and Board Member).

GamesPress