Nickelodeon, one of the world's leading entertainment brands for kids and families, has announced the Nick News in the following press release, from
PRNewswire, that Nickelodeon has today (Thursday 6th June 2013) launched their brand new city building app based on the networks hit original animated series (Nicktoon) "SpongeBob SquarePants", called "SpongeBob Moves In", worldwide for Apple iOS devices!
Beginning today, SpongeBob SquarePants fans globally can download and build their very own Bikini Bottom in "SpongeBob Moves In", which features a stylized 2D design and gives fans a whole new way to interact with the hit animated show.
In the game, players build Bikini Bottom to their own tastes and are tasked with keeping the city's residents happy by making all their wishes come true. As players advance in the game, they can unlock exclusive-to-the-app, untold stories about how their characters, including SpongeBob, Patrick, Mr. Krabs, Plankton, Squidward and Sandy, first arrived in the town. Written by the SpongeBob SquarePants series writing staff, these stories are told through brand-new animated short videos unlocked throughout the game:
Build Your Very Own Bikini Bottom Through Nickelodeon's Worldwide Release Of Brand-New Mobile Game, SpongeBob Moves In
Available on iOS, SpongeBob SquarePants Game Features Exclusive Inside Looks at Show's Characters During Their Early Days in Bikini Bottom
NEW YORK, June 6, 2013 /PRNewswire/ --
SpongeBob SquarePants fans beginning today can build their very own Bikini Bottom with
Nickelodeon's brand-new city building app,
SpongeBob Moves In. Available worldwide,
SpongeBob Moves In features a stylized 2D design and gives fans a whole new way to interact with the hit animated series.
(Photo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20130606/NY27520 )
In the game, players build Bikini Bottom to their own tastes and are tasked with keeping the city's residents happy by making all their wishes come true. As players advance in the game, they can unlock exclusive-to-the-app, untold stories about how their characters, including SpongeBob, Patrick, Mr. Krabs, Plankton, Squidward and Sandy, first arrived in the town. Written by the
SpongeBob SquarePants series writing staff, these stories are told through brand-new animated short videos unlocked throughout the game.
"Millions of fans around the world experience the fun and magic of SpongeBob on television every day, and now they can live out their very own Bikini Bottom adventures with
SpongeBob Moves In whenever and wherever they want," said Steve Youngwood , EVP and General Manager, Digital, Nickelodeon Group.
Since its launch in July 1999,
SpongeBob SquarePants has become one of the most beloved animated characters in TV history and a global pop culture phenomenon. In its 13th year the series continues to rank as the number-one animated series with kids 2-11 on all of television, as well as one of the most 'liked' animated series on Facebook, with more than 81 million fans. Over the past several years,
SpongeBob has averaged more than 100 million total viewers every quarter across all Nickelodeon networks.
In
SpongeBob Moves In players can customize the look of their undersea city with a variety of characters, buildings, and accessories. In the ongoing quest to keep Bikini Bottom inhabitants happy by fulfilling their wishes, players must collect happiness to fill the town's happiness meter. Residents wish for food and gifts from the various Bikini Bottom restaurants and shops, like Krabby Patties from the Krusty Krab or a bouquet of flowers from the Flower Shop. Once their wish is granted a treasure chest will appear for the player to open and collect gold coins, happiness or a new recipe to add to their collection. When the happiness meter is filled, players advance to the next level in the game, earning coins, game experience and unlocking more quests, buildings and accessories to buy in the store.
Throughout the game, players earn gold coins and Jellyfish Jelly as rewards for performing a variety of activities like granting wishes, building buildings, making recipes, collecting rent and expanding their Bikini Bottom. Players can purchase additional land, ingredients, buildings and decorations using game coins and jellyfish jelly, or an iTunes account.
SpongeBob Moves In is available worldwide in eight languages: English, Spanish (Latam), Spanish (Spain), German, French, Dutch, Portuguese and Italian.
For additional information on
SpongeBob Moves In, visit
SpongeBobMovesIn.com.
SpongeBob SquarePants is executive produced by creator Stephen Hillenburg , who previously worked as a writer, director and creative director on Nickelodeon's animated series
Rocko's Modern Life. Paul Tibbitt served as a director and writer on
SpongeBob SquarePants for its first three seasons and is currently executive producer.
Nickelodeon, now in its 34th year, is the number-one entertainment brand for kids. It has built a diverse, global business by putting kids first in everything it does. The company includes television programming and production in the United States and around the world, plus consumer products, online, recreation, books, and feature films. Nickelodeon's U.S. television network is seen in almost 100 million households and has been the number-one-rated basic cable network for 18 consecutive years. For more information or artwork, visit
www.nickpress.com. Nickelodeon and all related titles, characters and logos are trademarks of Viacom Inc. (NASDAQ: VIA, VIAB).
SOURCE Nickelodeon
RELATED LINKS
http://www.nick.com.
Also, from
MCV UK:
New iOS SpongeBob Squarepants game includes £69.99 IAP
Another big children’s IP has chosen to pursue the premium in-app-purchase route.
Apps Playground reports that Nickelodeon’s new SpongeBob SquarePants game for iPhone and iPad, which was released yesterday, includes an eye-watering £69.99 IAP.
The game relies on two forms of in-game currency – gold coins and Jellyfish Jelly. These can of course be earned in-game but can also be purchased directly in increments costing between 69p and £34.99.
The site points out hat the game does at least offer the following disclaimer upon loading: “Additional cool stuff can be purchased in SpongeBob Moves In! It’ll be charged to your iTunes account. You can adjust your device setting to lock the ability to make In-App purchases!”
The app’s iTunes listing also clearly states that IAPs are included in the game.
But it’s still a risky move at a time when premium IAPs are under immense scrutiny.
A combination of high-profile media coverage for families stung by unwanted IAP charges and strategic inconsistencies across the App Store have forced the Office of Fair Trading to launch its own investigation.
Tags: nickelodeon , spongebob squarepants , iap , in app purchases
