Dreamworks Pictures and Paramount have partnered with Zynga in order to create a new in-game item and quest for players of the popular game CityVille to promote the opening of “Kung Fu Panda 2”.
According to the press release, CityVille’s 88 million+ monthly players (according to AppData) will be able to place a “Kung Fu Panda 2” themed drive-in movie theater in their city. When players place the theater in their city, they will be able to receive collection items, the members of Kung Fu Panda’s Furious Five: Tigress, Crane, Mantis, Viper and Monkey. When all five items/members are collected, an exclusive Po the Panda statue will be unlocked and available as a reward for finishing the Kung Fu Panda 2 quest.
The heads of Zynga believe CityVille is a perfect fit for “Kung Fu Panda 2”. “Nearly a third of all Kung Fu Panda fans on Facebook have also played CityVille, so the integration is a natural fit and something we think our players will love,” said Global Director of Brand Advertising at Zynga, Manny Anekal. “It’s important that we collaborate with innovative brands like DreamWorks Animation that resonate with and are meaningful to our players and enhance their game play.”
Jason Alex, Head of Online Marketing at DreamWorks Animation, also said, “Our exclusive integration of Kung Fu Panda 2 in Zynga’s CityVille gives millions of players a fun and deeply interactive way of connecting with Po and the Furious Five…Po journeys on a memorable kung fu quest in the movie and through this online challenge we’re able to reward fans for further engaging with the characters they love.”
The Kung Fu Panda 2 quest on CityVille began May 20 and will continue through May 31st. “Kung Fu Panda 2” debuts in theaters on Thursday, May 26.
