Zombies on your lawn are a not a good thing, but what about in your kid’s room?
PopCap Games, maker of Plants vs. Zombies and other well-known franchises, this morning announced a series of licensing agreements that will result in the first official merchandise based on its games.
PopCap, acquired last year by Electronic Arts, says the first Plants vs. Zombies products will start appearing this spring. Merchandise based on Bejeweled and other games will be released starting next year.
Products will include apparel, headwear, plush toys, electronic accessories, calendars, posters and many other items. PopCap announced deals with six companies. Trends International, Bioworld Merchandising, Funko, MjC International, Jazwares and Walls360.
“We’re taking a measured, deliberate approach to licensing our IPs, focusing on quality brand extensions that expand our unique game icons and experiences for our fans in authentic, meaningful ways,” said Brennan Townley, director of brand licensing at PopCap Games, in a news release. “The partnerships we’ve announced today represent partnerships with some of the most highly regarded licensees in their respective categories.”
With the move, PopCap is following in the footsteps of Angry Birds maker Rovio, who have quickly become masters of merchandising, with a wide variety of stuffed animals and other products based on their games.
Update: A spokesman for PopCap explains that virtually all of the existing merchandise on the market is unauthorized, with the exception of small quantities of items that the company sends out in PR mailings, and a small selection of shirts available only in China, under a deal the company signed previously there.
Here are more pictures from the company …
