Discovery Bay Games Partners With HIT Entertainment to Create Thomas & Friends® Apps for Duo(TM) Line of iPad Game Accessories
SEATTLE, Feb. 22, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Discovery Bay Games, a leader in app-based game accessories, and HIT Entertainment, one of the world's leading producers of high-quality children's entertainment, announced a partnership to bring a new iPad game "appcessory" and corresponding apps to Thomas & Friends® fans. The new Thomas & Friends-branded Duo(TM) appcessory will offer app-supported active play for iPad and is slated to be introduced in fall 2012.
"The Discovery Bay Games and HIT joint venture continues our mission to partner with beloved children's properties," said Craig Olson, CEO of Discovery Bay Games. "This partnership enables us to offer consumers a new, innovative way to experience the world's #1 preschool property, Thomas & Friends, using our Duo line of iPad game accessories."
"Our partnership with Discovery Bay Games ushers Thomas & Friends into a new category of play," said Natasha Fishman, Senior Vice President, Global Brand Management and Digital Media, HIT Entertainment. "We are excited to expand the success of our apps portfolio with the addition of the Thomas-branded Duo appcessory and apps. This product offers a unique form of combined play that seamlessly integrates the physical and digital experience."
With the first Thomas app launching in early 2010, there are now 15 Thomas & Friends apps available in the Apple iTunes App store. Embraced by families and children around the world, recommended by the Parents' Choice Foundation, and acclaimed by industry experts, the Thomas apps portfolio has already established a significant presence in the kids' digital landscape and offers families a new way to experience the brand.
About HIT Entertainment
HIT Entertainment is one of the world's leading children's entertainment producers and rights owners. HIT Entertainment is a division of Fisher-Price. HIT's portfolio includes properties such as Thomas & Friends®, Barney®, Bob the Builder®, Fireman Sam®, Angelina Ballerina®, Mike the Knight(TM), Pingu® and Rainbow Magic®. Launched in 1989, HIT's lines of business span television and video production, content distribution, publishing, consumer products licensing, digital media, and live events and has operations in the UK, US, Canada, Hong Kong and Japan. For more information, visit http://www.hitentertainment.com
About Discovery Bay Games
Based in Seattle, Discovery Bay Games makes award-winning and innovative games, apps, and tablet and iOS game accessories that suit all ages and interests. The company's mission is to bring friends and families together to play, laugh, and interact. Discovery Bay is led by experienced game developers and professionals from a bevy of game companies including Cranium, Electronic Arts, Hasbro, Microsoft/Xbox, and Screenlife. Discovery Bay partners with internationally recognized brands and licensors such as Atari, Broadway Video/Saturday Night Live, GALLOP!, Highlights for Children, and the Smithsonian Institution. For more information, visit Discovery Bay Games or follow the company on Facebook or Twitter.