Creative and Business Leads behind Disney's Club Penguin Form New Digital Game Studio

KELOWNA, British Columbia, March 20, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- Two of the leading creative and business minds behind Disney's Club Penguin, the number one virtual world for children, have formed Hyper Hippo Productions, a new studio that promises to offer fun and imaginative children's properties for a wide range of digital platforms.

(Logo:  http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20130320/NE80505LOGO ) 

Lance Priebe, co-founder and creator of Club Penguin, and Pascale Audette, former Studio Head and Vice President of Global Operations for Disney Online Studios, will develop quality entertainment for children under the Hyper Hippo label. With unique applications and compelling storytelling that reward good actions and values, the digital properties will reflect real world ideals, thus encouraging and enabling socially responsible behaviors virtually in order to generate impact on a local and global scale.

"We are dedicated to creating a fantastic studio that will not only radically change how the industry perceives digital entertainment, but one that will positively impact children's lives for years to come," said Audette.  "In addition, it is important for us to invest in our local community through initiatives that increase the technology footprint in Kelowna, and in the global community through social outreach programs. Simply, our end goal is to make a positive impact in the world."

Mech Mice, Hyper Hippo's much anticipated first offering, has been a long time dream of Priebe's, with development beginning prior to Club Penguin. An episodic journey, Mech Mice blends together rich story with a tactical strategy experience for a young generation of kids (ages 10 and up). The property is scheduled for release in 2013 and an open beta program will begin this summer.

Additional information on Hyper Hippo Productions can be found online at http://hyperhippo.ca/ or chat with us on Facebook at Facebook.com/HyperHippo.

SOURCE Hyper Hippo