Straight from--where else?--Jellyneo:
Quote:
NVCP Awards Master Toy License for Neopets to JAKKS Pacific
MALIBU/NEW YORK, September 26: Nickelodeon & Viacom Consumer Products (NVCP) has reached a master toy licensing agreement with JAKKS Pacific for an array of products based on Neopets, the global youth-focused virtual world.
JAKKS Pacific will create a full line of toys and merchandise to capitalize on the expansive virtual world of Neopets. The JAKKS line will focus on plush toys, action figures and accessories, playsets, Plug It In & Play TV Games and interactive toys, as well as role-play products, vehicles, youth electronics, water toys, novelties, stationary, kites and craft activities. The JAKKS Neopets collectible plush products are expected to hit retail shelves in early 2008, with figures, playsets and other products shipping to retailers nationwide for fall.
The toys and consumer products line will tie into a new multiplayer gaming and collecting experience, called "Neopets Key Quest." Plush toys will contain codes that allow kids to unlock virtual extensions of the toys to use as part of their Neopets Key Quest play experience. (Emphasis added.)
On Neopets, players create a Neopet to be their companion. They can dress and take care of their Neopet while exploring the fantasy world of Neopia. Neopets offers its audience an array of engaging activities, including a Neovision video player, discussion boards, quests and thousands of virtual items to collect. The Neopets community is available in 11 languages, reaching nearly 12 million monthly unique visitors and logs over 300 million monthly game plays.
"This is a very exciting deal for us," said Stephen Berman, the president and COO of JAKKS. "Neopets is a remarkable property for kids and tweens. We know that members love collecting neopoints and other virtual items, and now they can collect Neopets products, as well. We plan to add engaging real world components to the already hugely popular virtual world of Neopia and maximize the deep online connection kids have with Neopets through a collectible rollout strategy, which is one of JAKKS' core strengths. Neopets has all the makings of a great toy property."
Well, I'm a bit too tired to try to comprehend this right now, so I'll just let everyone else do the talking.