All-new game Kung Fu Panda: Hero Showdown also coming this summer
Lisbon, Portugal - The Gang, an international game developer studio specializing in the creation of bespoke immersive gaming experiences, has today announced a collaboration with Universal Products & Experiences, DreamWorks Animation and Universal Pictures to transport players into the heart of Shrek’s swamp in Shrek Swamp Tycoon – an all-new experience on Roblox inspired by DreamWork’s Shrek.
Available now, Shrek Swamp Tycoon, the first official Shrek experience on Roblox, is a unique fun-filled tycoon-style game with an Obby twist. It welcomes players to venture beyond the iconic ‘Beware Ogre’ signpost to explore Shrek’s swamp and interact with its famous inhabitants and the enchanting world of the movie.
By collecting coins and seeking out hidden platforms, players can construct their own experience map and rebuild favorite locations inspired by the film including Shrek’s house, Gingy’s Gingerbread House, and more. Players will be able to purchase in-game user-generated content (UGC) items and character heads for Shrek, Fiona and Donkey, as well as unlock exclusive features through completing the entire experience.
“Shrek has been a fan favorite since the release of the first film more than 20 years ago, and we have many fans within our team,” said Marcus Holmström, CEO and Founder at The Gang. "Collaborating with Universal Products & Experiences and leveraging our deep knowledge of Roblox to develop a unique experience for this incredible franchise has been a hugely exciting experience for us. In Shrek Swamp Tycoon, fans get the opportunity to engage with characters from the film in new and clever ways.”
Shrek Swamp Tycoon is the first collaboration between The Gang and Universal Products & Experiences to bring popular DreamWorks Animation franchises to players in the form of unique gameplay and activities on the Roblox platform, with more to come. The collaboration will also introduce the launch of a brand-new combat game, Kung Fu Panda: Hero Showdown, this summer. Inspired by DreamWorks Animation’s Kung Fu Panda films, players will execute unique kung fu moves, based on familiar characters such as Po, Shifu and Tai Lung. As users gain experience and glory in the two battle arenas - Juniper City and Gongmen City - they will earn Robux and be able to upgrade their battle stick and unlock powerful skills.
“Dreamworks Animation stories are beloved for their hilarious characters and scenarios and we look forward to delighting Roblox players with new games that feature two all-time favorites," said Bill Kispert, SVP & GM, Games & Digital Platforms at Universal Products & Experiences. "With Shrek Swamp Tycoon and Kung Fu Panda: Hero Showdown, players and fans will get to experience the action and humour of these worlds on an immensely popular platform, in games designed to be played and shared together.”
Shrek Swamp Tycoon is poised to build on the success of previous tycoon experiences launched by The Gang. This includes Pancake Empire Tower Tycoon launched in early 2023, which has garnered an impressive 4.5 million plays within the first fortnight of its release and PacSun Tycoon which has achieved over 11 million plays within its debut year.
With both games, The Gang is committed to regular content updates and ongoing player engagement. It will utilize built-in analytics to improve and develop the game, bringing players and fans a renewed opportunity for enjoyment with each update.
About The Gang
The Gang is a 200-person strong developer studio with more experience building branded UGC activations than any other company. It has created and launched bespoke UGC experiences for the world’s biggest and most innovative brands including Amazon, Givenchy Beauty and Vans.
About DreamWorks Animation’s SHREK
For the past two decades, children of all ages have been enchanted by the delightfully irreverent adventures of a frightfully misunderstood ogre and his ragtag group of roguish fairytale folk.
Beginning with Shrek, the 2002 Academy Award® winner for Best Animated Feature, Shrek, Fiona, Donkey, Puss in Boots and their signature friends, family and tormentors have grown into an indelible part of pop culture—through a series of four films that have earned more than $2.9 billion and spawned a global live-touring show, an immersive, top-tourist destination in London, as well as popular events and attractions across Universal Destinations & Resorts theme parks worldwide.
About DreamWorks Animation’s Kung Fu Panda
Inspired by traditional martial arts and set in ancient China, Kung Fu Panda tells the epic tale of wide-eyed Po, whose love of kung fu is matched only by an insatiable appetite. The Academy Award®-nominated 2008 inaugural chapter became DreamWorks’ highest-grossing original animated film. With the release of Kung Fu Panda 4, the film franchise has earned more than $2 billion at the global box office. With its massive fan base, the franchise has expanded to a cross-category consumer products program, video games, an Emmy Award-winning television series and global Universal Destinations & Resorts theme-park attractions.
About Universal Products & Experiences
Universal Products & Experiences (UP&E) globally drives the expansion and elevation of NBCUniversal’s iconic collection of brands, intellectual properties, characters, and stories based on the company’s extensive portfolio of properties created by Universal Pictures, Illumination, DreamWorks Animation and NBCUniversal Television and Streaming.
The division executes this through innovative physical and digital products, as well as engaging retail and product experiences across our expansive global theme park destinations (for both owned and third-party IP), location-based venues, e-commerce product platforms, and retailers around the world. Along with global brand strategy and creative, UP&E’s lines of business include Consumer Products and Games, along with Theme Parks Products & Retail. UP&E is a division of Universal Destinations & Experiences, part of NBCUniversal, a subsidiary of Comcast Corporation.
More information is available at universalproductsexperiences.com.
