Bandai extends Tamogotchi brand with Familitchi launch
Bandai, the toy company, is extending its virtual pets brand, Tamagotchi, with the launch of Tamagotchi Familitchi. This will allow users to look after multi-pets at the same time.
The new range, which allows up to three on-screen characters at the same time, has different “family types” of Tamagotchi. The way a user cares for a character will determine which type they end up with.
The launch will be supported by a press and TV marketing campaign breaking this weekend and a new Europe-wide website.
The product has a new look with a house-shaped antenna and customisation element with clip-on character charms, as well as new games, designs and game-play options.
The Familitchi range retains an infrared function so that players can allow their families to interact and even “marry” to create new generations of “tamababies”.
A press campaign will run in the February and March editions of magazines including Girl Talk, Go Girl and High School Musical. It will break on February 17.
A new TV ad, created by Origami film, will also launch this weekend featuring 3D graphics and a voiceover from TV presenter Sarah Cawood.
The launch also coincides with the launch of a new Tamagotchi social networking site website – www.tamagotchieurope.com