Sanrio Digital based in Hong Kong and Boston, and online games publisher GameMaxx based in São Paulo, today announced they have partnered to launch Hello Kitty Online in Brazil. Hello Kitty Online is the official massively multiplayer online role-playing game (MMORPG) that features the beloved global icon along with Sanrio’s other lovable characters.Under the terms of the agreement, GameMaxx will manage online publishing, i-café distribution, and game service operations of Hello Kitty Online in Brazil. GameMaxx will also operate a Brazilian edition of SanrioTown, the community and social networking site integrated with Hello Kitty Online.
“Sanrio Digital is very excited to partner with GameMaxx to bring Hello Kitty Online to our fan base in Brazil. The rapid growth of free-to-play games and social media in Brazil suggests an ideal market for the social networking integration between Hello Kitty Online and SanrioTown,” said Robert Ferrari, Vice President of Publishing & Business Development of Sanrio Digital.
“GameMaxx is proud to partner with Sanrio Digital to introduce Hello Kitty Online and SanrioTown to online gamers in Brazil. We are confident that the game’s brand appeal, unique design, and social networking features will result in high demand across the region among female online gamers,” said Gilberto Akisino, Chief Executive Officer of Gamemaxx.
Hello Kitty Online is launching in various territories throughout 2009, using a free-to-play model with optional premium upgrades. Players will undertake exhilarating adventures and interact with other players and over a hundred Sanrio characters including Hello Kitty, Badtz-Maru™, My Melody, and many others. Backed by Sanrio’s highly successful intellectual property, Hello Kitty Online is one of the few MMORPG titles that targets a primarily female gaming audience. As she celebrates her 35th Anniversary in 2009, Hello Kitty continues her expansion with a presence in all multi-media platforms and new markets.