Cartoon Network has announced (via Wired) that they will be exploring new avenues to build a “multi-platform experience.” This apparently includes video games.
With video games being as big as they are, it’s no wonder that television companies would search for new mediums to appeal to their audiences. Thus, Cartoon Network has decided to dust off an old cartoon idea and make it a precursor for future game projects.
One example is OK K.O.! Lakewood Plaza Turbo. It’s a mobile side-scrolling action game that plays like Streets of Rage. Ian Jones Quartey, co-developer for Steven Universe, created the original pilot episode for the show, but the series was recently turned into a mobile game instead.
Lakewood Plaza Turbo is out now in the App Store for free. Check out some gameplay below.
Some might disagree that this is new territory for Cartoon Network, because they already released Steven Universe: Attack the Light — an RPG based on Steven Universe — as well as other games based on Adventure Time. But this new game is unique because it is not based on an existing show.
In celebration of this new journey into video games, Cartoon Network will be hosting a 48-hour game jam in Portland Oregon to encourage the development of future games. Animators, developers, designers, programmers, and graphic artists will be given guidelines to create an original game. 16 finalists will be rewarded $3,000 and be given the opportunity to have their work published in a Cartoon Network Game Jam bundle.
One winning team will have the chance to make a contract with Cartoon Network and receive help with the production, budget, and development of their game starting May 2016. The game will then be published on mobile devices, the web, and possibly PC.
On the weekend of February 12th, a select number of entrants from Portland will be invited to register and participate if they submit their work samples or portfolios. More information can be found at the official website here.
Cartoon Network is headed to a new frontier, and lovers of cartoons and games should be excited.
