A 3D version of Deal or No deal sound desirable to you? Perhaps you’re a game show fan and just can’t get enough Howie, if so, you’re in luck. Koch Media announced their new casual games label As Seen On TV which will bring popular TV brands to the console.
At first we were thinking “a games division based on infomercials?” No, their intention is to bring familiar casual game experiences into the home. Many families sit down and share their experiences of TV viewing together when it comes to watching game shows, Koch Media plans to make this a bit more interactive and competititve.
When can we expect the games to hit the market? “We are delighted to be launching the As Seen On TV range during the key Christmas retail period,” said Craig McNicol, Managing Director at Koch Media.
(Thanks, CasualGamerChick)
Read on for full press release…
London, UK – 17th July 2008: Leading distributor and publisher of interactive entertainment, Koch Media, today announced its brand new range of family-focused games based on some of TV’s most popular game show franchises. Debuting under Koch’s new “As Seen On TV” label, the games which include a brand new 3D sequel to the hugely popular 2007 release Deal Or No Deal, are set for a Q4 2008 launch on Nintendo Wii and DS.
Aimed primarily at a casual and family gaming audience, the As Seen On TV range features games developed as direct spin offs from highly-rated, mainstream TV shows such as Golden Balls, The Magic Roundabout and Are You Smarter Than A 10 Year Old? With in-game presentation from the likes of Noel Edmonds and Jasper Carrot, As Seen On TV’s products are both familiar and instantly accessible for all levels of gamer.
Other key features of the range are bold new packaging, featuring As Seen On TV’s distinctive, retro television logo, and an impulse buy price point. Together with broad and far reaching trade marketing, and print and TV advertising plans, along with continued, regular TV scheduling of shows in the range, helps guarantee mass market appeal for As Seen On TV throughout the busy Christmas period and beyond.
The initial launch titles include Deal Or No Deal 2008, Golden Balls and Professor Heinz Wolff’s Gravity on both Wii and DS and Are You Smarter Than A 10 Year Old? on DS. All games in the As Seen On TV range have a SRP of £29.99 for Wii titles and £19.99 for DS titles.
“We are delighted to be launching the As Seen On TV range during the key Christmas retail period,” said Craig McNicol, Managing Director at Koch Media. “With its strong visual branding, competitive price point and superb line up of much-loved titles and TV personalities we expect this to be a massive hit with family audiences over the Christmas season.”
Congratulations to PopCap for showing why casual games will always be a viable market. Let’s put this in perspective, investors believe GTA IV will push 13-million sales by the end of 2008 and, as of January 2008, Halo 3 had sold 8 million copies. PopCap’s little casual game has hit 25 million units sold, that’s fairly impressive considering these blockbuster titles haven’t achieved such numbers.
id Software has always leaned toward bleeding edge content, pushing hardware to its limits and utilizing technology that has just hit the market. Nobody is surprised when they’re forced to upgrade their computers to play the latest id Software creation to its fullest extent. This is the price for being top dog in graphic engines, but now they’re changing their tune a bit.