LEGO and Warner Bros. today announced a series of new video games based on the Kingdom of Chima LEGO sets. The series will include games for mobile platforms, the Nintendo 3DS, and a “massive” free-to-play online game.
“We are doing something innovative with LEGO Legends of Chima by making three distinct videogame experiences on a variety of platforms,” said Samantha Ryan, Senior Vice President for Production and Development at Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment. “By creating multiple LEGO videogame experiences for one brand, we are catering to today’s diverse gaming community, as well as establish a rewards system for players of all three games.”
The highlight of the announcement is LEGO Legends of Chima Online, a free-to-play online title that LEGO states will “provide kids with a safe and incredibly immersive connected game experience. Players will be able to customize their own “kingdom” within the game and explore “massive environments” while completing quests and finding loot.
It’s unclear whether the title will be a true MMO, and LEGO’s intention to make the game safe for children suggests the game will limit player interaction in some way. LEGO’s previous MMO, LEGO Universe, was closed down almost one year ago due to low subscription numbers.
Other game titles in the Chima series include LEGO Legends of Chima: Speedorz and LEGO Legends of Chima: Laval’s Journey. Speedorz is a racing mini-game that will be released on the LEGO website sometime today, and on iOS platforms tomorrow. Laval’s Journey is handheld game that will be released for Nintendo 3DS and PlayStation Vita sometime in the summer of 2013.