With total downloads across iOS and Android hitting 182,000, ustwo has announced Whale Trail's next journey will see the IP make the leap to books.
The studio has signed a deal with Penguin Group to publish Whale Trail eBooks, as well of those of the physical variety in a bid to "tell the story of Whale Trail to children all around the world".
The two parties are set to work together on the narrative of the titles, with the first 'digital picture book' due to launch in October.
Building the brand
"I discovered Whale Trail from Gruff Rhys' music video," said Eric Huang, publishing director of Penguin Children's media and entertainment division.
"When I downloaded the app, I was hooked. Theres something so fresh and cool about the art direction. I wanted to know more about Willow and his world and thought, we should publish a book.
"And since Whale Trail is a digital brand, it made sense to lead with an eBook."
Further releases will follow in 2013, both digitally, and in the form of the first physical Whale Trail book.
For ustwo's part, marketing director Steve Bittan said all the money from the Penguin publishing deal as well as that from downloads of the games itself - would go "directly back in to the game update and the continued development of the Whale Trail IP and brand".
The acquisition trail
"[Whale Trail will launch] initially in eBook format and then more importantly for us physical or printed books," he added.
"This is something we see as crucial to the deal."
Bittan said ustwo had already been approached on two separate occasions by "major studios" about the possible acquisition of the Whale Trail IP, while the original game itself is currently undergoing a £50,000 makeover.
Ustwo's mills has previously suggested Whale Trail will be the studio's last paid release, with the firm looking to hit 45,000 downloads or more on Android before ustwo switches to the freemium model moving forward.
Total Android downloads to date currently sit at the 12,000 mark.
[source: TheNextWeb]
News
With a fine eye for detail, Keith Andrew is fuelled by strong coffee, Kylie Minogue and the shapely curve of a san serif font.
Top Stories
News
May 4th, 2024
PocketGamer.biz Podcast Week in Views E10 - Brawl Stars smashes 2023 revenue, Square Enix’s extraordinary losses, and Haaland signs for Clash of Clans
News
May 3rd, 2024
Week in Views - Apple back themselves bigstyle, Clash bags Haaland and dreams come true at King
Events
LA Games Conference 2024 | North America | May 6th |
Mobidictum Meetup Berlin May 2024 | Europe | May 7th |
Valencia Indie Summit 2024 | Europe | May 16th |
Mobidictum Meetup Tallinn May 2024 | Europe | May 21st |
Israel Mobile Summit 2024 | Middle East | Jun 6th |
WN Conference Istanbul 2024 | Jun 11th | |
DevGAMM Vilnius 2024 | Europe | Jun 14th |
Develop: Brighton 2024 | Europe | Jul 9th |