Ludorum's Chuggington Property to Get Virtual World

London-based Ludorum has been developing Chuggington, a children's IP based on three trains and their human conductors. Last October it raised £3.1 million to fund the brand after securing UK broadcasting rights with the BBC for a production budget of $7.3 million. Now the company has partnered with Dallas, Texas-based Red Knight Learning Systems to create "the interactive view-and-play world as well as learning games ("serious games") integrated into the world, all based on the richly animated television series." Targeted at children 3-6, the brand will also be rolled in books and toys in early 2009. With a focus on parent interaction to prioritize learning and social events, the 3D world will offer single-user or social experiences.  "We are honored to be selected by Ludorum to work on this fun and interesting project," said John A. Purdy, president and co-owner of Red Knight. "We're happy to be lending our expertise to the design and development of Chuggington's Virtual World."