Initial Animax Sites Launch!

May 12, 2010

A full rebrand, redevelopment of an existing Drupal Content management system, and ensuring the new design worked in 23 regions of the world. No problem! Smashing Ideas had a blast collaborating with the team at Sony International on the redesign of Animaxtv.com, a teen and young adult-centered hub similar to ABC Family, the CW and MTV. Eight of the twenty-three sites have launched and the remainder are scheduled for July and September. Using the CMS, each region has the ability to customize the backgrounds and color themes, determine which blocks of content they want to include in the different sections of the site, and customize the content in the different blocks. Check out the initial launches:

Portugal: http://www.animax.pt/
Hong Kong: http://www.animax-hk.com/
India: http://www.animaxindia.com/
South East Asia: http://www.animax-asia.com/
Taiwan: http://www.animax-taiwan.com/
Philippines & Malaysia: http://www.animaxasia.com/
Brazil: http://br.animaxtv.com/
Latin America: http://mx.animaxtv.com/

“Is the iPad worth the time for mobile app developers?”

March 1, 2010

Brian Burke, our Executive Director and GM of Mobile Devices, guest blogged on TechFlash. Read his take on developing for the iPad.

Help the Penguins Save the Planet

February 8, 2010

Can you complete all four missions?

Take four penguins, four missions, the voice of Neil Patrick Harris as the evil Dr. Blowhole, and you’ve got yourself a successful online/on-air event: Penguins of Madagascar: The Rise of Blowhole. Join the daredevil Penguin crew as they battle Dr. Blowhole on-air and off. In a first for Nickelodeon and the popular pack of Penguins, kids who tune into the special episode, “Dr. Blowhole’s Revenge,” on Feb. 15 will be given a secret code by Dr. Blowhole himself to complete the fourth and final mission in the online gaming event.
The online game starts Feb. 8 with a new mission launching every few days, until Feb. 15. The mission themes, which mirror the on-air episode themes, are You Only Spout Once (launching today), Moonflipper (launching Feb. 11), Quantum of Porpoise (launching Feb. 13), and the final mission The Zoo is Not Enough, launching Feb. 15 and coinciding with the on-air episode (Monday, Feb. 15, at 8 p.m. (ET/PT)).
So grab your mouse and your remote and help Skipper, Kowalski, Rico and Private as they race to save the planet once again from the dastardly Dr. Blowhole!

Parenthood 101

February 2, 2010

A friend in need is a friend indeed.

My Li’l Bastard is unlike any virtual pet you’ve ever cared for. This enhanced iPhone/iPod Touch app version of the popular Adult Swim web game will make you feel like a parent for the first time or the last time! Raise your baby from a blob-like hatchling to a full-fledged adult bastard. Each stage of life presents a new challenge for you to overcome with your thankless offspring. He takes your tender loving care and vomits it back at you, tossing Molotov cocktails on the gifts you graciously bought him, breaking that water bottle you used to punish him, and pooping all over the place. But with courage, tenacity, and patience, you just might be able to turn this bastard around. (Note: we said “might.”)

And if you give it a try, you’ll be in good company. It’s among the top 30 paid and grossing apps!