This awesome event which runs in game through to the 26^th of May features new games and activities for all players to enjoy. All players receive an exclusive in-game party pin and can set forth to explore the galaxy, searching for hidden energy orbs to unlock rewards. Members can suit up with four awesome suits each of which come with a unique power from ultra cool ice-freezing to shrink rays and hyperfantastic teleportation!

Players can join the fun by choosing a side and battling it out on the Heroes Homeworld. Both the heroes and the villains HQs feature new gadgets, secret hiding places and fantabulous traps to make the battles totally epic! Heroes can get the inside scoop in the latest edition of the Galactic Times newspaper in-game!

Which side will you choose? Hero or villain? Blast off now at www.spaceheroes.com

Sydney, Australia – 2^nd May 2013 2013 – Bubble Gum Interactive, the award-winning developer of highly compelling games, today announced the start of a new licensing partnership with Virtual World Licensing & AT New Media to focus on their rapidly growing kids online game Space Heroes Universe!

With a true focus on storytelling Space Heroes Universe is a multi-platform brand experience with an epic intergalactic adventure being told via the virtual world, mobile games and an animated cartoon series. . Nearly 2 million players from around the world have signed up for adventure. In the free-to-play game, kids can personalise their hero, adopt virtual pet Kritterz, make new friends and explore an ever expanding galaxy full of quests, adventure and fun. Rated E for Everyone and certified kidSAFE+, Space Heroes Universe is a hit with kids and parents, having secured Creative Child Magazine’s 2012 Game of the Year as well as the Mom’s Choice Awards Silver Medal and a Parent’s Choice Approved Award.

Virtual World Licensing & AT New Media are  leading UK based licensing agencies specializing in the world of gaming and toys. With a team of interactive games and toy licensing experts they represent a growing portfolio of global game brands. Leveraging core brand strengths they create high performing toy and merchandising opportunities that extend these virtual brands to the physical world.

“Whether exploring the galaxy in our award-winning kids virtual world, jetting off for adventure in our mobile game or following the adventures of our space heroes in our online cartoons, our fans are continually looking for new ways to enjoy the Space Heroes Universe! story.” said Phil Mason, CEO, Bubble Gum Interactive “Virtual World Licensing & AT New Media understand the unique nuances of game brands and will no doubt bring some amazing Space Heroes Universe! merchandise to our European fans.”

“Space Heroes Universe is precisely the type of property we look for with a unique and compelling story that can translate into a successful merchandising program.” said Steve Reece, CEO, Virtual World Licensing “With its strong UK presence and a rapidly growing fanbase in the EMEA, we’re certain Space Heroes fans will be delighted to extend their experience.”

Kids can strap on their jetpacks, fire up their starjets and blast off for adventure at www.spaceheroes.com

About Bubble Gum Interactive

Bubble Gum Interactive is an independent game development studio headquartered in Sydney, Australia. Our mission is to create compelling and engaging gaming experiences with a focus on fun, creativity, quality and story. Our first game, Space Heroes Universe! is a multi-award winning kids virtual world in which players create their own hero and explore a galaxy full of fun and adventure. Our first game for mobile, Jetpack Jinx is available for Google Play and Apple iOS with more games launching in 2013. Discover more at www.bubbleguminteractive.com

About Virtual World Licensing & AT New Media

Virtual World Licensing was founded by Toy industry veteran Steve Reece to facilitate the entry of digital brands into the toy market. Steve previously worked for Hasbro, Activision and Imagination. He has managed Toy companies and ventures trading in over 60 countries worldwide, managed in excess of 200 commercial & licensing contracts and worked with brands valued at $billions in value. AT New Media is run by Simon Kay, the company offers consultancy and agency services that are solely focussed on licensing opportunities within the digital games, and gaming market. For more information, please go to www.VirtualWorldLicensing.com or www.atnewmedia.com

Encompassing a range of social skill building tools, Space Heroes aims to nurture connections between players in a uniquely safe environment against the imaginative backdrop of outer space. Players can delve into a story-driven adventure, learning new skills and applying creative and cognitive thinking as they play alongside friends. With the new Squads feature, players are able to join their own social clubs and either compete against or with their buddies, battling it out in a range of games based on a range of skills.

Not only does Space Heroes aim to do this in a fun and creative way, but it also exceeds all safety and privacy standards in its field.

The Avatar Generation article focuses on the building and maintaining of the Space Heroes world through the MacICT program - a collaboration between the NSW DEC Northern Sydney Region and Macquarie University -  where budding young game developers are given the chance for their own input on the development of the game, giving creators valuable insight into how kids play and what they want.

The magazine is available from Apple’s newsstand, and the April 2013 edition can be purchased on iTunes.

Last year saw Paul Gray speak among other creative experts on the state of the gaming industry in Australia and globally. This year the team at Bubble Gum Interactive have been invited to speak for their own set, the Making of Jetpack Jinx. It will be presented in a panel format, with speeches from the team who worked on the project. Participants will hear the different perspectives and roles that contribute to developing and launching a game including production, art, development, community management and marketing. The format will include an opportunity for questions and answers from the audience.

The team will be speak on everything from the original concept, the development of gameplay and design, incorporation of themes, obstacles, testing phases, updates, and public relations as well as the future of the app market. The talk is a must for gaming enthusiasts, business brokers and insiders, keen coders and developers, to get a chance to listen to a gaming studio’s journey of creating an app, from the initial concept, coding, design, marketing, and future updates. It’s a truly unique panel talk from leads on the App team, with an opportunity to pick their brains during a Q&A session.

Learn more and register for the event at the Vivid Sydney website.

Sydney, Australia – 17 April 2013 – Bubble Gum Interactive, the Australian developer of family-friendly games, today announced a new licensing partnership with Wild Pumpkin Licensing International to focus on their rapidly growing kids online game Space Heroes Universe!

Much more than a virtual world, Space Heroes Universe lets kids create their own Space Hero and embark on an epic story-driven intergalactic adventure. Nearly 2 million players from around the world have signed up for adventure. In the free-to-play game, kids can personalise their hero, adopt virtual pet Kritterz, make new friends and explore an ever expanding galaxy full of quests, adventure and fun. Rated E for Everyone and certified kidSAFE+, Space Heroes Universe is a hit with kids and parents, having secured Creative Child Magazine’s 2012 Game of the Year as well as the Mom’s Choice Awards Silver Medal and a Parent’s Choice Approved Award.

Space Heroes Universe stands out from its rivals, with a true focus on storytelling. With a passionate team of writers, the game world has already grown into a transmedia digital franchise encompassing the virtual world, mobile games and animated cartoons.

Wild Pumpkin Licensing International is one of the leading licensing houses in Australia and New Zealand, specialising in brand extension, licensing, media establishment and brand management. In their short time in the licensing business, they have managed numerous blue-chip brands both domestically and worldwide.

“Our players tell us how much they enjoy the epic intergalactic adventures of our online game, and they often ask for real world products like toys, collectibles and t-shirts, so we’re looking forward to taking the story to our audience in new ways” said Phil Mason, CEO, Bubble Gum Interactive “With Australia being our home turf, we’re excited to partner with Wild Pumpkin and can’t wait to bring awesome merchandise featuring our characters and stories to our fans.”

“Space Heroes Universe has outstanding characters and a universal story that’s been a hit with kids around the world” said Lim Mi-Kyoung, Managing Director, Wild Pumpkin Licensing “With its positive values and passion for creating fun and engaging experiences, we’re confident that its fans will enjoy the brand offline as much as they do online.”

Kids can strap on their jetpacks, fire up their starjets and blast off for adventure at www.spaceheroes.com

About Bubble Gum Interactive

Bubble Gum Interactive is an independent game development studio headquartered in Sydney, Australia. Our mission is to create compelling and engaging gaming experiences with a focus on fun, creativity, quality and story. Our first game, Space Heroes Universe! is a multi-award winning kids virtual world in which players create their own hero and explore a galaxy full of fun and adventure. Our first game for mobile, Jetpack Jinx is available for Google Play and Apple iOS with more games launching in 2013. Discover more at www.bubbleguminteractive.com.

About Wild Pumpkin Licensing

Wild Pumpkin offers the marketplace a unique and tailor-made approach to brand building, with a full range of integrated services. We are a market leader in brand licensing, brand management and product development, introducing a specialised, strategic management and consumer marketing consultancy to brand owners and licensees both domestically and internationally.

Much more than a virtual world, Space Heroes Universe lets kids create their own Space Hero and embark on an epic story-driven intergalactic adventure. Along the way, players can personalise their hero, adopt pet Kritterz, make new friends and explore an ever expanding galaxy full of quests, adventure and fun. Rated PEGI OK and certified kidSAFE+, Space Heroes Universe is a hit with both kids and parents, having secured Creative Child Magazine’s 2012 Game of the Year as well as the Mom’s Choice Awards Silver Medal and a Parent’s Choice Approved Award.

With one and six month memberships available, Space Heroes membership cards unlock members-only features for unlimited fun and adventure. Members can personalise their hero, adopt virtual pet kritterz, decorate their hero’s homepad, turbo-charge their Starjets, rock out at exclusive events and explore the entire game experience.

“The UK is one of our strongest markets and fans have been eagerly telling us they want game cards. We’re happy to launch the cards with Sainsbury’s and are excited to give our fans a really special launch offer.” said Paul Gray, CMO, Bubble Gum Interactive.

All Space Heroes Universe game cards purchased from Sainsbury’s will provide players with exclusive virtual goodies including an ultra rare virtual pet kritter, a bomber jacket and a turbo Starjet.

Ready for adventure? Blast off at www.spaceheroes.com

Much more than a virtual world, Space Heroes Universe lets kids create their own Space Hero and embark on an epic story-driven intergalactic adventure. Nearly 2 million players from around the world have signed up for adventure. In the free-to-play game, kids can personalise their hero, adopt virtual pet Kritterz, make new friends and explore an ever expanding galaxy full of quests, adventure and fun. Rated E for Everyone and certified kidSAFE+, Space Heroes Universe is a hit with kids and parents, having secured Creative Child Magazine’s 2012 Game of the Year as well as the Mom’s Choice Awards Silver Medal and a Parent’s Choice Approved Award.

Space Heroes Universe stands out from its rivals, with a true focus on storytelling. With a passionate team of writers, the game world has already grown into a transmedia digital franchise encompassing the virtual world, mobile games and animated cartoons.

As one of the largest licensing agencies in Asia, Empire Multimedia Corp. brings over 30 years of experience and an established reach across Asia. Empire provides pre-emptive customer and client services to our principals, licensees and strategic partners across Southeast Asia and greater China. Innovative and customized business solutions consistently position Empire well ahead of the competition. Empire  places  its consumer’s brand experience at the center of everything we do.

“Our players tell us how much they enjoy the epic intergalactic adventures of our online game, so we’re looking forward to taking the story to them in new ways” said Phil Mason, CEO, Bubble Gum Interactive “Empire’s proven success in helping to build brand experiences will no doubt herald some truly awesome Space Heroes merchandise in the years to come.”

“Space Heroes Universe has all the hallmarks of a compelling and long-lasting kids brand franchise.” said Hubert S. Co,  President, Empire Multimedia Corp. “With its rapidly growing Asian fanbase and its commitment to family-friendly fun and adventure, we’re sure fans will enjoy the brand offline as much as they do online.”

Kids can strap on their jetpacks, fire up their starjets and blast off for adventure at www.spaceheroes.com

About Bubble Gum Interactive

Bubble Gum Interactive is an independent game development studio headquartered in Sydney, Australia. Our mission is to create compelling and engaging gaming experiences with a focus on fun, creativity, quality and story. Our first game, Space Heroes Universe! is a multi-award winning kids virtual world in which players create their own hero and explore a galaxy full of fun and adventure. Our first game for mobile, Jetpack Jinx is available for Google Play and Apple iOS with more games launching in 2013. Discover more at www.bubbleguminteractive.com.

About Empire Multimedia

Empire Multimedia Corp.  is a licensing agent with over 30 years of experience whose main thrust  is to achieve consistency & continuity, market access & expertise. We customize brand and business strategies, aligning opportunity with cultural demands in each territory. We  also have territorial reach and offices in:  Philippines, Hong Kong, China and Taiwan, Indonesia, Singapore/Malaysia, Thailand , Korea, India  and Vietnam. Our goal: To leverage immediate returns and maximize long term brand potential. You may know more about our company at www.empiremultimedia.com

Now, Jetpack Jinx has been given a turbo-charge of a game update. Released on Android and Apple, the latest update includes:

New sidekicks

Jinx fans have told us how much they love Rex, the dragon sidekick that can be unlocked in the game. Now, three new pet kritterz have been added to the mix:

• Yoonie the Unicorn
• Swoop the bat
• Zap the drone-bot

Gem Generator

Players have a huge range of choice of power ups in Jetpack Jinx, from Mega Mouth to Emergency Fuel Boosts and more. Now, players can purchase the Gem Generator and double their virtual dosh! This in-app purchase doubles all gems collected to give players a faster path to unlocking awesome goodies.

Ready for fun? Play Jetpack Jinx on Android or iOS.

As with all our game updates, our goal is to make for a more fun, friendly and exciting experience. The content is designed to increase engagement with players and has resulted in longer play times across the board. With more opportunities for social interaction than ever, it’s no wonder we’re seeing an increase in sales and registrations.

In particular the Squad feature, allowing players to join one of four exclusive clubs, has created a sense of belonging in the community and helped strengthen player identity. From the Mighty Zoomers to the stylish Space Kittens, intrepid Moon Dogs to the galaxy-exploring Aquanauts, Space Heroes have enjoyed making new friends and teaming up. A roll-out of new multiplayer games and the ability to play these games anywhere has increased social interaction. Two of the more popular games are Battle Ball, an epic intergalactic take on soccer and the intensely fun Red vs. Blue Bubble Blaster Battles.

If there’s one thing Space Heroes is about, it’s fun, and we’ve rolled out three massive parties this year already from the underwater fun of the Deep Dive Party to the herotastic celebrations in our Galactic Fair. Heroes have enjoyed collecting their party pins, scoring free goodies and taking part in themed games and activities. We’ve got a massive line up of parties for 2013 including the annual Bubble Bunny party bouncing along soon. We’ve even added a treasure hunt feature, allowing players to explore the virtual world while being rewarded and interacting socially. Our continual positive reinforcement has increased our engagement with players.

With more opportunities for personalisation, social interaction, and fun, it’s no wonder we’re seeing huge growth in the game community. Ready for adventure? Blast off at www.spaceheroes.com

Magnificent Mermaid and Merman Costumes

Heroes can adopt fantastic new virtual pet kritterz

Parties every month keep things fresh and fun!

SPLAT! Heroes take part in an epic multiplayer blaster battle

Sydney, Australia 25^th February 2013 – Independent Entertainment Studio Bubble Gum Interactive is thrilled to announce that its animated cartoon episode Space Heroes Universe ‘Villainy has a New Name’ has been named the winner in the animation category of the 2012 Pixel Awards.

Within its category, Space Heroes Universe was up against serious competition including Walt Disney’s Jake and the Never Land Pirates, Square-Enix’s Final Fantasy and Nintendo’s Pokemon.

Now in its seventh year, the Pixel Awards have since 2006 taken a fresh look at the best on the web. The awards honor compelling creative content design and development in 24 diverse categories with thousands of entrants from around the world.

“Storytelling is at the heart of everything we do.” said Phil Mason, Bubble Gum Interactive CEO “Our global fan base of kids and families have told us they love the pilot cartoon so we’re excited to announce that we’re already in production on episode 2, with more to follow during 2013!”

Based on the multi-award winning kids virtual world, the Space Heroes Universe cartoon tells the tale of the intrepid Space Heroes Ace, Kira, Professor Q and their friends as they embark on an intergalactic adventure to rescue the life-giving glows. Together, they pit themselves against the “I-wish-I-was-more-evil” Lord Shadowbot and his long suffering sidekicks who plan to steal all the glows and bring darkness to the galaxy.

The cartoon is freely available via the official Space Heroes Youtube Channel, as a free “Pocket Toons” download from Google Play and coming soon to the Apple iTunes store.

About Bubble Gum Interactive

Bubble Gum Interactive is an independent entertainment studio headquartered in Sydney, Australia. Our mission is to create compelling and engaging gaming experiences with a focus on fun, creativity, quality and entertainment value that help kids discover every day. Our first game, Space Heroes Universe! is a multi-award winning kids virtual world in which players create their own hero and explore a galaxy full of fun and adventure. Our first game for mobile, Jetpack Jinx is available for Google Play and Apple iOS. Discover more at www.bubbleguminteractive.com

About The Pixel Awards

Established in 2006, The Pixel Awards take a fresh look at the best on the web. We are the cutting-edge website award, annually honoring compelling sites that have shown excellence in web design and development. Sites are submitted in 24 diverse categories, including our unique Agency, Geek, and Green categories. Any site can enter. Only 24 exceptional sites will win.