Print
Hasbro, a multinational toy and board game company with the rights to the official Scrabble game, is teaming up with Zynga, a social network game developer with a number of popular titles under its belt, including Words with Friends, an online knockoff of Scrabble. The partnership gives Hasbro the rights to produce a wide range of toys and games based on Zynga's online games and brands, the two companies announced today.
That means you might see a board game version of Mafia Wars or FarmVille, or perhaps plush dolls based around either or both gaming franchises.
"This partnership is so special because it represents an exciting leap forward in enabling people to connect their virtual and real worlds," said Mark Pincus, founder, CEO, and chief product officer of Zynga. "Hasbro has inspired play through their famous toys, games and action figures and we look forward to working with a company that continually creates meaningful and fun brands."
Hasbro, meanwhile, said in a statement that it's "thrilled to have the opportunity to bring Zynga's popular social games to life in a variety of creative and new expressions," adding that "Zynga is bringing more game to mainstream culture and is redefining how people play."
It's a bit of an odd pairing considering Zynga's reputation for ripping off other brands and checkered history with privacy, and a little awkward due to the similarities between Hasbro's Scrabble game and Zynga's Words with Friends variation. But at the same time, it's also logical. Both companies bring a number of popular brands to the table that could result in some interesting combinations. Mafia Wars Monopoly, for example, could add a whole new dimension where it's completely acceptable to sock your opponent in the arm as you grab his stack of cash, or light his hotels on fire with your Zippo.
Comments are closed on this article
Zoandar
February 10, 2012 at 10:35am
Really. Like parenting isn't tough enough already. Just what we need. But isn't it after all the holy grail of marketing to get inside a person's head as a child so you can brainwash them and groom them to be the dutiful little shopper you want them to grow up to be? Eager to jump at whatever carrot you dangle in front of them this season? Wendell Barry would be proud. "Your mind will be punched on a card, and shut away in a little drawer. And when they want you to buy something they will tell you.....".
