VIRTUAL WORLDS : Headlines of Cross media tie-ins

Habbo to Promote IGOR DVD with Virtual Goods (film/game tie in)

Today Habbo and Exodus Film Group announced a partnership to promote the DVD release of the animated film IGOR. Each copy of the IGOR DVD will ship with a promotional code that unlocks four exclusive virtual items in Habbo's online virtual world. The movie-themed items are a brain, a laser, an "evil switch," and a "hump massager." The move is part of the attempt to turn a profit on the movie since the box office receipts only brought in 29 million and the film costs 30 million.

EA Launching Free Need for Speed MMO (film game/ tie in)

Electronic Arts has announced three new titles in 2009. One is the free-to-play MMO, Need for Speed World Online. A joint project between regular NFS developer Blackbox and EA Singapore.

Heroes and Habbo: Interactive Storytelling in a Virtual World (TV/Game tie in)

Yesterday Habbo and NBC.com announced a partnership to create a new "Heroes"-based character that will crossover from the virtual world to NBC's own site. According to Teemu Huuhtanen, President, North America, Sulake, the partnership is a little deeper than previous marketing efforts in Habbo.

"In many ways it's a groundbreaking partnership with us. We're creating a character for a major TV show, but also our users when they find the powers get to know more about themselves," said Huuhtanen.

Outso Developing New Music-Themed World, Mixm8 (music & games tie in)

UK-based console and Web game designer, pushed out a microsite to promote its upcoming virtual world, Mixm8. Mixm8, due in the second half of 2009, promises to "deliver value to the mp3 experience which has been diminished through piracy and illegal downloads." Users will be able to socialize, attend concerts, and customize their own apartments to show off their tastes. Online shops and holders of back catalogs like Xpressbeats, Ninja Tune and War Child as well as independent, alternative artists such as Dan Le Sac vs Scroobius Pip have already shown commitment to the current prototype.