Mind Candy, the makers of Moshi Monsters, a popular children’s focused virtual world in the UK has signed a children’s book deal with Penguin Books to create a series of volumes based on the virtual world’s inhabitants.
According to Forbes, the deal is for two books this year and another five in 2011, with the 160 page books going for about $10 a piece. Additionally, the books will offer secret codes that kids can use to access ” a secret Moshling” in Moshi Monsters – Moshlings are the “pets” that are collected in the game.
There is no reason to doubt that that the transition from online gaming to children’s books and toys should continue. Call it merchandising if you wish, but especially with children’s books, this the extra attention that kids have with fun material allows these materials to be more educational. Of course, from the game publisher side of things, this kind of licensing is great as it’s both a revenue source and a marketing vehicle.
We’re sure it won’t be long before kids everywhere are running around with Farmville coloring books.
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