Gamebud Talking Tom, is the first “animatronic toy” in the world, created by HUGE! Play in partnership with Outfit7 and Epic Story Media. Presented in preview last summer at Virtual Licensing Expo 2021, it immediately attracted attention to its extraordinary features. This new revolutionary product, in fact, is the first “Animatronic Toy” in the world, which blends gaming, interactive devices and play in a single product.

Game becomes a next-level experience
Gamebud Talking Tom is the most disruptive gaming device appeared on the market in recent years. This revolutionary “Animatronic” toy is able to connect to live mode to the popular mobile outfit games and gives life to Talking Tom character making it a game partner ever seen before.

GameBud Talking Tom uses an extremely sophisticated software of artificial intelligence and is equipped with an app that transforms it into an autonomous interactive character, able to support conversations and perform various actions. The GameBud Talking Tom app is compatible with Android and iOS devices and connects with Talking Tom’s online games, allowing users to interact with the toy, both in online and offline mode.

Kevin Mowrer, Co-CEO of HUGE! Play said: “GameBud Talking Tom offers a next-level experience for fans. He’s both your gaming buddy and like a real-life streamer. Picture Talking Tom at your side as you play his games…giving hints to better your game play, all while joking and teasing you in the most loveable way! This dynamic product was built for maximum fun, with a powerful software engine that delivers over 5 hours of unique content and three play modes, including: Game-Connected (Online), Free Play, and Command Mode (Offline).”

Xinyu Qian, CEO of Outfit7 said: “From gaming to licensing, our products connect online and offline experiences and bring joy to millions around the world. We are guided by innovation and creativity in everything we do, and the GameBud Talking Tom continues this pioneering mission. It offers a brand new, real-world experience with the character and the games fans love.”

Gamebud Talking Tom soon also in Italy
Gamebud Talking Tom From October 4th is available in pre-order in North America on Gamebud.com marketplace and will be sent to fans for Christmas holidays 2021.

In the coming months the product will expand its distribution channels. As for our country, Ets Licensing, Talking Tom & Friends agent on the Italian territory, is working with the Huge Play! partner in Europe for the presentation of GameBud at the Nuremberg fair and for the launch of the product in spring 2022.

Talking Tom and Friends: a 360-degree brand
The Property Talking Tom & Friends of Outfit7 has evolved in just over 10 years from a mobile games phenomenon into a brand with extensive and articulated content.

The Talking Tom & Friends universe today includes over 20 mobile games with continuously growing record numbers, a massive presence in all countries of the world, more than 16 billion downloads and up to 430 million active users every month.

Outfit7 has also developed a wide range of original video content for the whole family. The Animated Talking Tom & Friends series, with 156 episodes for 5 minutes, was the ninth content more requested in the world in 2020, according to Tubefilter. Talking Tom and Friends YouTube channels have reached over 77 million subscribers and more than 80 billion views. Talking Tom and Friends characters are also very popular on social media with over 30 million followers.

Even in Italy the numbers are excellent: the animated series is transmitted on TV on K2, channel 44 DTT, with excellent audience data and is available on streaming platforms such as Netflix and Kidodle TV. Tom & Friends Italian YouTube channels record more than 416 million views and the games have exceeded 121 million downloads.

Licensing developments
The launch of GameBud Talking Tom is part of a wide and ambitious global licensing and merchandising program, which already includes more than 3,000 products launched and 8 theme parks.

To grasp the synergies potentially offered by the vast global community of Talking Tom & Friends fans, Outfit7 also makes available to partners different visibility and promotion options within the games and videos developed for the I.P. Partners can make use of customized advertising positions, co-branding opportunities and in-game integrations.

That’s an innovative approach that aims to offer 360 degrees brand experiences to increase proximity to the brand and fans satisfaction.