Plus, Mattel is saddling up with Outright Games for a Barbie Horse Trails video game, and Dude Perfect’s new tour movie scores a worldwide exhibitor deal.
- The eSports platform PlayVs has teamed up with The Pokémon Company International to bring gaming leagues for the free multiplayer game Pokémon Unite (pictured) into middle and high schools in the US and Canada. PlayVs gives schools an online platform for setting up eSports teams and runs brand-sponsored contests for Gen Alpha students. PlayVs has a handful of popular for-kids titles it’s currently partnered with, including Nintendo’s Mario Kart 8 Deluxe and Super Smash Bros. Ultimate.
- Mattel has teamed up with Outright Games for the new title Barbie Horse Trails, releasing on PC and consoles in October. Players can explore different locations with a horse friend, complete quests and find treasure. Outright Games has worked on many licensed kids games, including franchises like My Little Pony, PAW Patrol, Gabby’s Dollhouse and Bluey.
- Dude Perfect, the popular sports-focused YouTube creator group, has secured a deal with Regal Cinemas to screen its film Dude Perfect: The Hero Tour worldwide. Regal will show the film, which features segments from the group’s live shows, from September 26 to October 9 in “hundreds” of theaters, according to a release. The Dude Perfect team quickly cut together the film for theaters in two months, following the end of a recent 20-city tour in the US. Regal will also distribute the film with Variance Films.
- 5&2 Studios has signed a deal to exclusively manage distribution and licensing for Slingshot Productions’ animated feature film David. The completed musical adventure for kids is based on the biblical story of David and Goliath. 5&2 is looking for theatrical distribution partners, and will also lead the film’s marketing. 5&2 Studios is the faith-based company behind the live-action series The Chosen (five seasons). Sunrise Animation Studios (Jungle Beat) animated the film. This is Slingshot Productions’ first film. The studio released a five-episode series called Young David in 2023 through streamers Minno Kids and Angel Studios to build awareness for the film.
About The Author
Senior reporter for Kidscreen. Ryan covers tech, talent and general kids entertainment news, with a passion for kids rap content and video games. Have a story that’s of interest to Kidscreen readers? Contact Ryan at rtuchow@brunico.com
