Nickelodeon Ramps Up Game Development

Nickelodeon and the MTVN Kids and Family Group have announced they are adding 1,600 Flash/web games to their existing portfolio across its network of sites, in addition to other expanded gaming initiatives. Nickelodeon also says it will add new tools for users to build their own games, and add several demographic-focused sites. Presently, the company's site portfolio is comprised of Nick.com, Nicktropolis, NickArcade, TurboNick, Neopets.com, AddictingGames.com, The-N.com and Shockwave.com. Nickelodeon also stressed a continuing focus on virtual worlds, revealing three new products currently in development and promising additional growth for existing worlds Neopets and Nicktropolis. The company cites comScore statistics that show its sites collectively reach 20 million users per month, already hosting some 5,000 games among them. Ultimately, Nickelodeon says it will broaden its gaming presence to include a focus on multiplayer and community-based games. Nickelodeon/MTVN Kids and Family Group president Cyma Zarghami commented, "Our portfolio of digital brands is delivering fun and innovative gaming experiences for all of our audiences. Because our gaming sites complement and serve the same breadth of audiences as each of our linear channels, we are now offering game experiences that range from educational content, virtual worlds to casual games that are both property driven and totally original."