'Madagascar' Characters to Be Featured in New Online, Mobile Games

Alex, Marty, Gloria, Melman and additional zoo animals from Dreamworks Animation’s Madagascar franchise will be featured in online and mobile learning content via a strategic alliance between DWA and kids educational game company Knowledge Adventure, which  has been renamed JumpStart.

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A subsidiary of privately-held Torrance, Calif.-based Knowledge Holdings, Jumpstart also announced that it has closed a new round of financing with Azure Capital Partners, TeleSoft Partners and other investors.

Available on Thursday, Madagascar Online offers learning quests and adventures. Also launching on iOS and Android platforms is a learning game titled Madagascar Preschool Surf ’n Slide.

JumpStart additionally plans to create a new gaming franchise inspired by DWA’s How to Train Your Dragon.

“JumpStart is at the forefront of developing innovative educational games and progressive technology for kids and we are pleased to join forces with them to launch new learning adventures that incorporate characters from DreamWorks Animation franchises,” said Jim Mainard, head of digital strategy for DWA.

Said David Lord, president and CEO of Jumpstart: “We believe the combination of DreamWorks Animation’s premium brands with our learning capabilities will be a win for children and parents.”

The third feature from the Madagascar franchise, Madagascar 3: Europe's Most Wanted, opened in June. Sequels to Academy-award nominated How to Train Your Dragon are slated to debut in 2014 and 2016.