Mark Burnett Prods. and AOL are collaborating with DreamWorks Animation and Aardman Features to create the FLUSHED AWAY UNDERGROUND ADVENTURE, DreamWorks first online game with custom animation integration, based upon the animated feature, FLUSHED AWAY, which opens in U.S. theaters on Nov. 3, 2006.
Starting in early October, the game will be available for free exclusively at www.aol.com/flushedawaygame. FLUSHED AWAY UNDERGROUND ADVENTURE will offer a series of online challenges, each featuring a different character, setting, or storyline from the film. New character animation will be designed exclusively for the game itself, marking the first time that DreamWorks Animation is expanding the universe of its films by creating an original, totally immersive online environment.
Kids and their parents will compete together to solve individual puzzles and will then be rewarded with digital prizes. The interactive experience leads up to a grand prize sweepstakes during the opening weekend of FLUSHED AWAY.
Mark Burnett Prods., who previously collaborated with DreamWorks on THE CONTENDER and the upcoming show, ON THE LOT. Is developing the game. The collaboration between AOL and Burnett grew out of the companies partnership on GOLD RUSH, the breakthrough interactive event that premieres on AOL in September and involves challenges and clues based on pop culture.
Based on the GOLD RUSH interactive gaming model, DreamWorks Animation ceo Jeffrey Katzenberg and Mark Burnett sought to create an online experience for kids and parents to enjoy together, as well as introduce the characters of the film to an audience in a new and refreshing way.
Katzenberg said, We couldn't be more pleased about teaming up with Mark Burnett and AOL on this revolutionary new online game concept. We believe that the game will stand on its own as an exciting and fun piece of new entertainment. With special custom animation that expands the world of FLUSHED AWAY, the game will be the perfect complement to the moviegoing experience.
FLUSHED AWAY UNDERGROUND ADVENTURE will feature realtime 3D environments that allow the user to take control of the camera as they explore expanded environments of the underground city of FLUSHED AWAY. The game will expand each day, revealing new areas of the 3D world and a new challenge every day.
The media landscape is changing radically," Burnett said. "People are absorbing and interacting with their entertainment content in new and more sophisticated ways, and this is especially true of kids. The next generation of audience members expects and deserves so much from its content, which is why this project is so exciting to me and my company.
Jon Miller, chairman/ceo of AOL, said, " the mini-FLUSHED AWAY universe will get kids and their parents excited about the characters and imagery a month before the movie opens. This is really what the Web is perfectly suited to do."
DreamWorks Animation (www.dreamworks.com) is devoted to producing family entertainment through the use of computer-generated (CG) animation. Utilizing world-class creative talent and state-of-the-art technological capabilities, the company is committed to making two computer-animated feature films a year that appeal to a broad movie-going audience.
