SpongeBob to Get MMOG

SINGAPORE/HONG KONG/SEOUL/TOKYO/NEW YORK: MTV Networks Asia and GigaMedia are co-developing the first Massively Multiplayer Online Game (MMOG) based on a Nickelodeon property, SpongeBob SquarePants.

The SpongeBob MMOG will launch in 2011 in multiple languages for players in China, Korea, Japan, Taiwan, Southeast Asia and India. The SpongeBob SquarePants creative team at the Burbank Nickelodeon Animation Studios will work closely with the Asian online games company to develop the online environment and character avatars. Players throughout Asia will be able to create, customize and personalize the MMOG version of Bikini Bottom.

“Partnering with GigaMedia on the development of a SpongeBob SquarePants MMOG allows us to bring the residents of Bikini Bottom into a whole new world—one that is tremendously popular in Asia and presents unlimited creative and business opportunities for the franchise,” said Jihee Nam, the VP of digital for MTV Networks Asia. “SpongeBob SquarePants is Nickelodeon’s best known property within Asia and we’re extremely proud to oversee the development of the MMOG with local business partners. We look forward to working hand in hand with GigaMedia on bringing SpongeBob, Patrick, Squidward, Gary and Sandy Cheeks to life in an entirely new and incredibly popular online world.”

“We are thrilled to join forces with Nickelodeon and MTV Networks International to bring the joy and delight of SpongeBob SquarePants to online game players around the world,” added GigaMedia’s CEO, Arthur Wang. “SpongeBob SquarePants is unquestionably one of the world’s most popular animated television series, and we look forward to bringing SpongeBob and his friends to life in the virtual world for millions of online game players.”