Neopets Launches Wider Product Line with Ties to Web

Neopets partnered last fall with JAKKS Pacific to launch a line of Web-connected plush toys, which seem to have taken off. Now Nickelodeon & Viacom Consumer Products is broadening the merchandise line with new plush, trading cards, vinyl figures, playsets, books, stationary, apparel and video games. All the products will tie back into the online Neopets world, specifically aimed at the Key Quest game, including virtual tokens or collectible goods, and many will aim for collectible status themselves through limited or retired editions.

"Since their retail debut this year, the Neopets products have performed extremely well,"  Leigh Anne Brodsky, President, NVCP, said in a statement. "We're bringing the successful digital-first world of Neopets to the real world with an amazing range of collectible products.  We've worked hard with Jakks to deliver a line of toys that appeals to both the original fan base of this brand and to the 'newbies' as well."

The new products include, from the press release:

• Neopets Puzzle Adventure (working title) from Capcom(R) Entertainment --   a leading worldwide developer, publisher and distributor of interactive   entertainment for game consoles, PCs, and handheld devices, has teamed   up with Neopets on a new game for the popular Wii(TM), Nintendo DS(TM)   and PC platforms that will take puzzle solving skills to new levels with   a unique Neopets twist. Neopets Puzzle Adventure will be the first   multi-platform puzzle adventure game based on the popular virtual   community giving players the ability to earn virtual prizes, experience   150 different quests and choose from 12 customizable Neopian characters.  As a bonus to Neopets fans, players will be able to earn codes  throughout the game that will unlock exclusive items in the Neopets  virtual world.
• Neopets toys, activities and stationery from Jakks Pacific -- top  producer of children's toys -- will unveil all-new Neopets plush,  figures and other merchandise for fans.
• Neopets books from Harper-Collins -- renowned book publisher -- will  launch five titles including puzzle and activity books starring favorite  Neopian characters.
• Neopets trading cards from Enterplay -- new trading cards offer fun and  engaging activity for kids encouraging learning skills and social  interaction.
• Neopets apparel from Mamiye Brothers -- top designer of children's, tween and teen apparel -- introduces clothing line featuring the internet's first virtual pets community.

For more information about Neopets' approach to toys, check out our interview with Senior Vice President & General Manager Kyra Reppen and Keith Tiernan, VP Creative of Neopet, from Virtual Worlds 2008.