Agreement Marks Next Step in Mattel’s Mission to Grow Digital Games Business for All Audiences
EL SEGUNDO, Calif., February 28, 2024 – Mattel (NASDAQ: MAT), a leading global toy company and owner of one of the strongest portfolios of children’s and family entertainment franchises in the world, today announced a new partnership with Rollic, a subsidiary of Zynga Inc., a wholly-owned publishing label of Take-Two Interactive (NASDAQ: TTWO), to introduce a new mass-market Barbie mobile game. The game is slated to launch later this year.
Mattel’s ongoing expansion of its licensed digital games portfolio is part of a strategic initiative to bolster its digital games business. This endeavor aims to provide captivating and engaging entertainment experiences based on Mattel’s beloved intellectual properties that will resonate with fans across generations.
“Partnering with Rollic and Zynga enables us to bring a fresh and exciting mass market Barbie mobile game to fans worldwide,” said Mike DeLaet, Global Head of Digital Gaming at Mattel. “This collaboration underscores Mattel’s dedication to leveraging our iconic brands in innovative ways and propels our digital games division’s ability to deliver best-in-class immersive entertainment experiences for fans of all ages.”
The forthcoming Barbie mobile game will be published by Rollic, who recently surpassed 2.7 billion lifetime downloads worldwide. Rollic develops and publishes hit mobile titles in over 175 countries and has had 22 titles reach the #1 and #2 spot in the U.S. Apple App Store. The company has redefined the hyper-casual genre adding live services and a steady cadence of in-game events to encourage long-lasting player engagement.
Rollic’s fast-paced data process allows its teams to quickly tap into of-the-moment cultural trends and to build updates that capture player reactions. This combination of creative and data-driven talent makes Rollic the ideal partner to bring a new Barbie gaming experience to life, accelerating Mattel’s strategic initiative to expand its iconic intellectual properties across all entertainment mediums.
“Barbie is beloved by generations of players around the world, and we are delighted to partner with Mattel to bring the latest iteration of this icon to mobile gaming,” said Burak Vardal, CEO of Rollic. “Our teams’ ability to translate cultural moments into lasting gameplay allows us to provide players with another place to engage with their favorite IP and we are excited to step into the world of Barbie with this brand-new title.”
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About Mattel:
Mattel is a leading global toy company and owner of one of the strongest catalogs of children’s and family entertainment franchises in the world. We create innovative products and experiences that inspire, entertain, and develop children through play. We engage consumers through our portfolio of iconic brands, including Barbie®, Hot Wheels®, Fisher-Price®, American Girl®, Thomas & Friends®, UNO®, Masters of the Universe®, Monster High® and MEGA®, as well as other popular intellectual properties that we own or license in partnership with global entertainment companies. Our offerings include film and television content, gaming, music, and live events. We operate in 35 locations and our products are available in more than 150 countries in collaboration with the world’s leading retail and ecommerce companies. Since its founding in 1945, Mattel is proud to be a trusted partner in empowering children to explore the wonder of childhood and reach their full potential. Visit us online at mattel.com
About Rollic
Founded in December 2018, Rollic is an Istanbul-based game developer and publisher, focused on free-to-play games for iOS and Android. Games released by Rollic include Power Slap, Twisted Tangle, Fill The Fridge!, Parking Jam 3D, Hair Challenge, Pull the Pin, High Heels!, Bus Jam, Text or Die, and Weapon Craft Run. Rollic is committed to producing massively appealing global titles while building a thriving developer ecosystem in the gaming industry. Rollic was acquired by Zynga, a global leader in interactive entertainment, in October 2020. For more information, visit www.rollicgames.com or follow Rollic on Facebook, LinkedIn, Instagram, Twitter, TikTok, or the Rollic blog.
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