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Cut the Rope inks toy deal, getting 'Bath Time' content update soon
Cut the Rope will transcend the virtual world inside of your techno-gizmo for that of the real. Several new partnerships will ensure Cut the Rope-branded products are in your local brick-and-mortar soon.A new board game that mimics the gameplay of the app will launch from Mattel, along with digitally enhanced toys that interact with your device. An example given details an OmNom toy interacting with an iPad to unlock a special Cut the Rope app. Jakk's Pacific will produce a plug-and-play game console for your TV. It will come with a special controller to play Cut the Rope on your TV.Finally, there will also be a new update for Cut the Rope: Experiments that introduces a new character and new physics, and adds water-based puzzles into the mix. No word on when the update will launch as of right now -- ZeptoLabs is waiting on Apple approval right now for Bath Time.
T-Pain stops by CES 2011 to plug patently ridiculous, amazing I Am T-Pain microphone (video)
It's Vegas, so it's not completely unsurprising to see folks like Lady Gaga and T-Pain stopping by unannounced. But seeing the latter over at a Jakks Pacific booth at CES? Not exactly --- shall we say -- expected. Regardless, T-Pain was most definitely in the house, primarily to showcase his newest $39.99 accessory, the I Am T-Pain microphone. For all intents and purposes, this here mic is your dream come true, enabling you to sing into it and hear it emitted back with a "T-Pain Effect" embedded. In other words, it's your autotune instrument of choice. There's a bit of inbuilt memory as well, enabling users to record clips for future hysteria, while also giving them the chance to blend in T-Pain remarks as they rap and offload their favorite clips to their PC. It's absurd in every sense of the word, making it impossible to pass up. If that makes any sense. Head on past the break for an interview with the man himself, courtesy of our pals over at TUAW.
Kinectimals plush toys coming in Spring 2011
We know, we know -- Fur Town is getting kind of lonely these days. All your Kinectimals have been petted and played with so many times and, well, you're getting kinda bored of them. Thankfully, according to an announcement from Jakks Pacific this morning, Microsoft has plans to release "five unique plush animals" in the first wave of Kinectimals stuffed animals coming out in Spring 2011. Like the King Cheetah and Maltese Tiger included in the game's collector's editions, the plush animals can be scanned into Fur Town and be played with in-game to heart's content. No pricing was given in the announcement -- but can you even put a price on cuteness?
THQ and Jakks Pacific founder Jack Friedman passes away at 70
After being hospitalized for several weeks, THQ and Jakks Pacific founder Jack Friedman passed away yesterday at the age of 70. Friedman started THQ in 1989 and led the company for six years, when he founded toymaker Jakks Pacific and served as chairman and CEO until March of this year. Before founding THQ in the late '80s, Friedman held a position at LJN Toys, helping to develop licensed toys for major motion pictures (E.T., among others). When the company was purchased by MCA in 1985, Friedman moved on and eventually founded "Toy Headquarters" (THQ) with $1 million of his own startup capital. Jakks Pacific CEO Stephen Berman said of his company's founder and former CEO, " Jack was a legendary toymaker and a real titan in our industry. He dedicated his talents to Jakks Pacific for 15 years, and he will be sorely missed. On behalf of all Jakks employees, we send our sincere condolences to his wife Karen and his children for their loss." [Via Gamasutra]
THQ pins WWE license down for 8 years
The new, extended deadline for THQ to sign its WWE licensing agreement elapsed two days ago, leaving several people in suspense about the outcome. Today, THQ shared the news that it has secured the exclusive rights to develop and publish games based on the WWE wrestling license for eight additional years, effective January 1, 2010. Not coincidentally, THQ has also settled its legal issues with WWE toy producer Jakks Pacific. THQ and Jakks will dissolve their venture using the other universal solvent: money. THQ has agreed to pay the company $20 million, along with previously earned royalties, and will pay the WWE $13.2 million. All of the companies found this agreement preferable to the previous offer, wherein WWE and Jakks would hit THQ with folding chairs while the referee mysteriously looked away.
THQ stock loses 12 percent after WWE extension
It seems investors are unhappy that one of THQ's most important relationships continues to be in flux. After the news that the company was extending its renewal notice with the WWE on October 28, its stock has lost 12 percent of its value, according to GameIndustry.biz. When compared to its worth on September 23, the company is down 26 percent. THQ's convoluted relationship with JAKKS Pacific and the WWE is fully explained here, but it suffices to say that things are pretty messy right now, and it seems the stockholders are getting impatient for tidiness.
THQ announces extension of WWE renewal notice; Pachter explains
THQ announced today that World Wrestling Entertainment has extended a deadline that allows the publisher to renew its licensing contract. The extension lasts until December 21, 2009 -- the original deadline was November 1. If signed, the agreement would be good through December 31, 2014. THQ is cool with the WWE, but it's not very chummy with JAKKS Pacific, its longtime partner in the WWE licensing venture. The wounds also run deep between JAKKS and the WWE. When asked for comment on the license renewal and further details regarding the three-way deal, a THQ representative told Joystiq that the publisher plans to renew its contract with the WWE, and then added, "Beyond that, I cannot comment."The business, politics and legal issues are certainly complicated. We spoke with Wedbush Morgan analyst Michael Pachter who laid out multiple scenarios, but in the end he believes the most likely outcome is that the joint venture between THQ and JAKKS will be terminated. If JAKKS enforces its (believed to be one-year) non-compete clause, then no WWE games can be produced. Neither side would benefit from that, however.Pachter suggests that the WWE's renewal deadline was extended to give THQ and JAKKS time to settle their issues. What it sounds like to us: THQ and WWE want to move forward as a couple, and the previous arrangement, featuring JAKKS as the third wheel, has worn out its welcome. Check out Pachter's complete analysis after the break.
WWE Smackdown vs. Raw 2010 dated, detailed
Other than a recent countdown offered by THQ, we haven't heard much about the publisher's next effort in its longtime wrestling franchise, WWE Smackdown vs. Raw 2010. Today though, THQ announced an October 20 release date for the game, along with a clear marketing push towards online play. Nelo Lucich, a senior VP at licensor JAKKS Pacific, leads the charge, saying, "The vast array of creative and online options allow players the ability to create their own unique Superstars, right down to their tattoos and customized ring gear." He goes on to tout the game's "Community Creations interface" and other options for online play, remaining confident. And maybe he should be, considering the game's October release now has a much better chance of standing out in a delay-riddled holiday season than ever before.
THQ triumphant in WWE / JAKKS Pacific dispute
You may not know this, but THQ and JAKKS Pacific have been locked in a vicious courtroom tussle over payment for work on some of THQ's WWE titles. See, THQ and JAKKS had a deal wherein THQ was to pay JAKKS 10% of money accrued from the sale of the JAKKS-developed WWE games; however, the two ALL CAPS companies were set to renegotiate that deal when JAKKS jumped the gun, signing a new contract without THQ's consent. And, as you've probably guessed, that's when THQ sicked the lawyers on 'em. Today, the result of this ongoing cage match are in and THQ managed to pin JAKKS for the 1-2-3. In the end, THQ was able to get that 10% figure lowered to only 6%, which will save the company "approximately" $23 million. JAKKS is surely upset: before the suit, the company was set to receive $57 million for its efforts in developing WWE titles; now that figure is a much lower $34 million. And what have we learned here? In the fantastical world of WWE, signing important documents without the consent of your business partner might make for great television but ... wait, we need to rethink this lesson ... Source - THQ Prevails in JAKKS Pacific Arbitration Dispute Source - JAKKS Pacific Announces Result in THQ Arbitration
Snap Judgment: Star Wars: Republic Squadron
Listen, we know that you've seen it on the shelves and been curious. Who can blame you? Not only does the Star Wars: Republic Squadron TV game look totally awesome, it also has motion controls! How can you beat that?Anyway, we've taken the bullet for you and are happy to present our video hands-on with the game, which wasn't nearly as bad as we assumed. Enjoy.
JAKKS Pacific, of all firms, nabs Walmart's Vendor of the Year
When VIZIO reeled in Walmart's Electronics Supplier of the Year around this time last year, we perfectly understood the logic. But this one... this one is a real head scratcher. Rather than selecting Winchester, Levi Strauss or Purina, Wally World has found favor with one of our favorite toy makers. The little known JAKKS Pacific just got a lot more popular after receiving Walmart's Vendor of the Year award for 2008, marking the second time in the company's history that said award was received. Too bad it's not giving away half price EyeClops projectors in order to celebrate, but at least you can rest assured that when buying one from Walmart, you're getting the lowest price, Always™.
$100 EyeClops Mini Projector announced for untatered tots
We knew it was coming, and sure enough Jakks Pacific just introduced its EyeClops Mini Projector for a penny shy of $100. Still light on specs, we can tell you that the palm-sized, LED projector features built-in speakers and up to 10 hours of operation off an unspecified number of D batteries when away from the mains. As to the quality, well, you typically get what you pay for and this pup is targeting a demographic of ages 8 and above -- 'nuff said. Look for it to ship sometime in the Fall.
Jakks Pacific unveils EyeClops mini projector for the little ones
We see a ton of tiny little projectors these days around here. This one, by toymaker Jakks Pacific, is still pretty eye-catching, anyway. Expected to be on hand next week at the Toy Industry Association's annual International Toy Fair in New York, the EyeClops is obviously designed with children in mind, with a build similar to adult picos. We don't have full specs on this one yet, but it's capable of projecting a 70-inch images via its LED, and can be hooked up to all your child's favorite gadgets -- DVD players, digital cameras, and gaming consoles. The real kicker here is that the EyeClops is expected to sell for under $100 -- much less than most projectors for oldies. [Via About Projectors]
JAKKS Pacific announces EyeClops BioniCam portable microscope
If microscopes like those from Celestron are a bit more than you need, you may want to keep an eye out for JAKKS Pacific's upcoming EyeClops BioniCam, which is obviously aimed at kids but, as we've seen in the past, will no doubt appeal to more adventuresome users out there as well. A follow-up to the company's EyeClops Bionic Eye, this one ups the features considerably with the addition of an LCD screen, which you can use to peek at things at magnification levels of 100x, 200x or 400x. Also like that considerably higher-end Celestron, this one packs a built-in digital camera (no word on the resolution) and an included USB thumb drive to make transfers to a computer as easy as can be. No word on a price just yet, unfortunately, though you can look for it to hit stores sometime this fall.[Via SlashGear]
WWE sues THQ
The WWE has filed a lawsuit against THQ and others, alleging that these companies used bribes to obtain the WWE videogame license. The WWE wishes to void this license and seek damages. THQ released a statement yesterday, claiming, "[It] is not directly accused of any wrongdoing in the complaint." Indeed, Jakks Pacific, THQ's partner, is carrying the brunt of the allegations, believed to have offered more than $100,000 to WWE senior vp of licensing & merchandising James Bell and WWE licensing agent Stanley Shenker for the videogame license back in 1998. At any rate, the lawsuit will not effect any current WWE games, namely WWE Smackdown! vs. RAW & Wrestlemania XXI.
