IndustryGamers - Informing the Games Industry

SpongeBob SquarePants MMO Coming to Asian Markets

Posted June 9, 2010 by M.H. Williams

Today MTV Networks Asia and GigaMedia Limited announced plans to co-develop and publish the world’s first MMO based on SpongeBob SquarePants. The game marks Nickelodeon’s first MMO and Viacom’s first game to be developed outside of the United States. The title is slated for launch in 2011 in multiple languages, for gamers in China, Korea, Japan, Taiwan, Southeast Asia and India.

"Partnering with GigaMedia on the development of a SpongeBob SquarePants MMOG allows us to bring the residents of Bikini Bottom into a whole new world -- one that is tremendously popular in Asia and presents unlimited creative and business opportunities for the franchise," said MTV Networks Asia’s VP of Digital Jihee Nam. "SpongeBob SquarePants is Nickelodeon's best known property within Asia and we're extremely proud to oversee the development of the MMOG with local business partners. We look forward to working hand in hand with GigaMedia on bringing SpongeBob, Patrick, Squidward, Gary and Sandy Cheeks to life in an entirely new and incredibly popular online world."

"We are thrilled to join forces with Nickelodeon and MTV Networks International to bring the joy and delight of SpongeBob SquarePants to online game players around the world," said GigaMedia CEO Arthur Wang. "SpongeBob SquarePants is unquestionably one of the world's most popular animated television series, and we look forward to bringing SpongeBob and his friends to life in the virtual world for millions of online game players."

The games will utilize a free-to-play model with an online store allowing players to purchase content to customize their gaming experience. The MMO will also feature “wide range of video and simple Flash-based games allowing users of all skill-levels and ages to interact and share their SpongeBob SquarePants experiences online.” SpongeBob’s creative team at Nickelodeon Animation Studios will be working closely with GigaMedia to ensure the game is accurate to the source material.

M.H. Williams has been writing in some form or another for ten years and has been a hardcore gamer since the NES first graced American shores.  You can catch him on Twitter as @AutomaticZen, Google+ as himself, or on his personal Facebook page.