Beach House, JumpStart prep Neopets series

JumpStart Games’ Neopets virtual world

Blue Ant Studios-owned Beach House Pictures (BHP) and US edutainment game developer JumpStart Games have teamed up to develop an animated TV series based on the latter’s virtual pet website Neopets.

Neopets is a virtual world where users can own and personalise virtual pets, make friends, explore stories and play games.

As part of the deal, BHP is developing new characters and stories to expand the storytelling and bring added dimensions to the brand. BHP will use the Blue Ant Studios animation team in Canada and the two companies will be looking for coproduction and platform partners over the coming months.

BHP recently announced four new appointments to its senior management team, as part of its expansion into global markets and attempt to meet the demands of streamers and cable networks for premium content.

The agreement is the latest development for Neopets as the brand expands on multiple platforms and increases its reach in the global kids and family market.

JumpStart Games will this year unveil the reimagined Neopets website, release a new mobile game for smartphones and tablets and launch a new line of merchandise.

Donovan Chan, creative director at BHP, said: “Bringing a new Neopets series to the market has been a passion of mine for many years and seeing it come to life is a dream come true. We’re looking forward to collaborating with the Blue Ant Studios team in Canada and JumpStart Games to create stories and characters for devoted, long-time fans while introducing Neopets to a new generation of kids.”