Nickelodeon To Unveil SpongeBob, New Online Worlds

Nickelodeon/MTVN Kids and Family Group has announced it plans to develop and produce additional virtual worlds to join its portfolio of online multiplayer games for kids. The company plans to add to its existing Neopets and Nicktropolis properties with a world based on Nick's SpongeBob SquarePants cartoon, as well as other projects based around new IP such as working-titled Monkey World and a new "virtual destination" called Neopia. According to the company, Neopia is in production and is scheduled to launch in the next year. All the new products will be developed out of Nickelodeon Kids and Family Group's Virtual World Studios, which focuses on developing virtual destinations for kids, teens, 'tweens and families each year, while building on existing ones. Neopia will be built on existing play patterns established in Neopets, featuring multiplayer geared toward 'tweens but aimed at all-ages appeal. It will include games, a community, in-world chat, and customization, among other activities, and an in-depth storyline. The new efforts join plans to add new games and areas within Nicktropolis, each centered around new and upcoming Nickelodeon television properties. Executive VP of Digital Media Steve Youngwood commented, "For our audiences, virtual worlds are the convergence of gaming, entertainment and community online, and by announcing these new worlds, we are ensuring that our content pipeline is going to remain fresh and vibrant." He added, "We are very fortunate to have a digital production studio that, like our linear animation studio in Burbank, will be dedicated to creating great new content experiences for our audiences both with our existing brands and properties and new, original ones."