Amidst the plethora of films being released, Coraline has a few claims impressive enough to make it stand out. For one thing, it is based on a best-selling novel from internationally renowned author Neil Gaiman. For another, it is the first full-length stop-motion film to be filmed in stereoscopic 3D.
Such a movie inevitably invites games publishers to release a title alongside it, and sure enough D3P steps up to the challenge of bringing Coraline to retail shelves, allowing fans of the film to relive the adventure for themselves. Given that the film is targeted at children, the company is bringing Coraline’s adventures to Wii, DS and PS2, taking advantage of the appropriate demographics those platforms boast.
Like the book and film, the game follows the adventures of its namesake, a young girl who discovers a secret door in her new home. This mysterious portal leads to a surreal world modelled around her life. As she explores this parallel reality, she makes new friends and discovers alternate versions of her seemingly cruel parents.
A WHOLE NEW WORLD
Initially, everything seems to be much better than it is in the real world, but the adventure becomes dangerous when her counterfeit parents conspire to keep her there forever. Coraline must depend on her new companions and the secrets she has learned from this world in order to find a way home and try to save her genuine family.
The heritage of the film is enough to capture the public’s attention, thanks to the success of Gaiman’s previous works. Awareness will be high when the game is released, something D3P is confident will serve the game well.
“The Coraline movie has already received critical acclaim and a fantastic IMDb score when it was released in the US earlier this year,” says D3P’s PR and marketing exec Marlene Fitzsimmons. “Any game based on a movie licence always relies heavily on the quality of the film and we have extremely high hopes for Coraline.
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“Targeted towards the growing girl-gaming market, Coraline realistically replicates the best-selling book and movie, and offers players a chance to interact with the familiar environments and beyond.”
The surreal style of the movie has been perfectly evoked in the game, allowing players to immerse themselves in the two worlds even more than they would at the cinema.
All of the characters appear as they do on the silver screen, breathing that necessary element of familiarity into the game that will delight Coraline fans everywhere.
BECOMING CORALINE
Gamers take on the role of Coraline. In the initial stages of the game, they must carry out the harsh chores set by her real world parents, before escaping to the other world and enjoying the challenges they find there.
The gameplay varies from making pancakes to performing songs, ensuring young players will have plenty of things to do. Only by completing tasks and mini-games will they earn buttons, the currency of the game, which will open new activities and unlockable items.
As well as different outfits for Coraline, this will also fill her scrapbook with photos and grant access to artwork and stills from the movie.
While Universal is supporting the movie with a strong outdoor and press campaign, D3P has prepared its own marketing initiatives to promote the title.
“We’re looking to maximise awareness for the game through a heavyweight TV, cinema and online advertising campaign and a comprehensive PR campaign covering all girl and parent press,” explains Fitzsimmons.
“Trade marketing also features heavily to ensure Coraline: The Game has a great presence in stores and we’re working closely with Universal and other licences to ensure the game is part of all promotional activity nationwide.”
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