Webkinz leads the way in social gaming co-play!

Parents & kids can now share their beloved brand with the Webkinz Friends game on Facebook!

TORONTO, May 16, 2012 /PRNewswire/ - Ganz, creator of Webkinz World™, the original kids' online world, is excited to introduce a game-changing innovation in family-friendly virtual fun: Webkinz Friends™ on Facebook.  Now teen and adult Webkinz™ fans can play the new Webkinz Friends social game, growing their Webkinz Friends family and creating the Kinzville of their dreams.

The Webkinz Friends team worked with Facebook to launch some exclusive innovations in Facebook gaming:

• Webkinz Friends has the first virtual representation of plush pets in a Facebook game
• Players can register new Webkinz pets within the game, receive a pet- specific prize and choose between KinzCash and an additional room for their home
• Players of Webkinz Friends will also earn great prizes which they can send to a Webkinz World account online!

The game is based on building the best Kinzville possible and sharing with friends. Homes, gardens, restaurants, stores and of course, the Clubhouse can all be added to your own Kinzville.

"Webkinz World is a family-friendly brand, and we want fans to enjoy our online world on the platforms they have embraced", said Howard Ganz, president of Ganz and creator of Webkinz. "In 7 years we have seen players grow up with the game. Webkinz Friends on Facebook lets teens and adults enjoy the sharing and caring aspect of Webkinz World in a format that suits them best. We want parents to be able to play on Facebook and send prizes to their children's Webkinz World accounts. It's the new face of co-play, where everyone can have fun in their own age-appropriate environments."

Webkinz Friends is free to play. To enhance gameplay, a Webkinz pet can be registered in Webkinz Friends (and Webkinz World too!) for virtual prizes. Utilizing the cross-platform tool, players of Webkinz Friends can earn virtual prizes which can be sent anonymously to any Webkinz World account online!

"When imagining Webkinz Friends, we looked at the areas of our site that could be fun if shared" said Creative Director Karl Borst. "Live in a loft surrounded by cupcake trees…park mobile homes beside a mansion! Visit your friends' Kinzville and comment on their Facebook page."

While Webkinz Friends is the first Facebook game for the family-friendly Webkinz brand, Ganz has extended the co-play experience with Webkinz arcade-style mobile applications for the iPad, iPhone and iPod touch. Earn rewards for Webkinz World accounts by playing Webkinz iOS games such as Polar Plunge, Goober's Lab and the newest, Cloud Corral. Next? Webkinz Friends for the iPad, bringing this Kinzville game to all ages of Webkinz fans.

SOURCE GANZ