Huzutech brings Horrible Histories® to life in new virtual world

The hugely successful Horrible Histories® books and TV series have been brought to life in a brand new virtual world, created for Scholastic using an entirely new technology created by Huzutech.

Accessed through a web browser, the Horrible Histories® virtual world launched officially on September 1st 2011.

Huzutech’s new platform brings together virtual worlds, social networks, massively multiplayer games and online communities in an entirely new way. Huzutech enables the creation of persistent online worlds, in which hundreds of players can compete, collaborate and play, all within their regular web browser - across all new platforms, including tablets, iPads, mobile devices and netbooks - with deep integrated links into each user’s favourite social networks.

This makes it perfect for brand owners and media companies who wish to bring their properties to the new online, social and connected audience, across every device, making their brand a part of each user’s digital social life.

Horrible Histories® World brings to life the hugely successful books and CBBC TV series. Visitors can explore some of the most gory periods in history, including ‘Ruthless Romans’, ‘Awful Egyptians’, ‘Terrible Tudors’, ‘Measly Middle Ages’, and ‘Perilous Pirates’. Players can dress as gladiators, tour ancient Egypt, play battleships with Blackbeard, enjoy quizzes and quests and make new friends. There’s even a medieval pig-flinging catapult.

All of which takes place in a safe and educational online environment. Users have to be over the age of 13 - though children under that age can join if supervised by a responsible adult.

The Horrible Histories brand has become a media phenomenon in recent times. After selling millions of books, the Horrible Histories® TV show debuted on the CBBC channel to critical acclaim, scooping several major awards including the BAFTAs and the prestigious ‘Best Sketch Show’ at the National Comedy Awards.

Lisa Edwards, Publishing and Commercial Director, Scholastic Children's Books said, “Huzutech’s advanced technology and understanding of the new social gaming sector has helped us to create an entirely new experience for Horrible Histories readers and viewers. The new virtual world, enables us to explore the full marketing and commercial potential of an innovative and exciting new chapter for the Horrible Histories brand.”

Graeme Harvey, Managing Director of Huzutech said, “Horrible Histories has always taken readers and viewers into different worlds. The different countries and periods of history which the books and the TV series have introduced to children makes it the perfect property to become a virtual world in its own right. The series’ focus on the gruesome, gory and fun aspects of history creates a real connection with kids and it’s something we’ve made sure is fundamental to the online experience. By tying everything into the social networks and allowing every user to visit and explore the world through a simple web browser, we’ve created something entirely new, which we’re proud to make a part of the Horrible Histories brand.”

For more information:
www.horriblehistoriesworld.co.uk
www.scholastic.co.uk
www.huzutech.com

Huzutech:
Online communities, social networks and virtual worlds are changing the way in which people all over the world communicate, participate, collaborate and play. Stand alone communities are increasingly rare, as users share more information and cross-pollinate over a wide range of digital services across multiple devices, platforms and channels. Huzutech understands how these new environments are evolving, growing and being used. The company has created a comprehensive technology - HuzuVirtual- which allows the creation of wholly-branded, white label online virtual worlds which integrate seamlessly with all leading social networks. HuzuVirtual enables brand owners, media companies and organisations to build an effective, branded online presence, tailored to their individual requirements, which encourages user participation across all new platforms, social networks and digital channels.

Founded in 2009 Huzutech is headquartered in Glasgow, Scotland, one of the world's leading regions for the development of original new interactive entertainment and digital media. The company was founded by a team of online veterans, who had worked with a number of pioneering companies, including WeeWorld, Pixel, and HarperCollins Publishers. Huzutech is backed by MLC 50. In 2010 the company was fast-tracked by Scottish Enterprise as one of the country's most innovative new digital media companies, with truly global potential.

Media contact:
Beatrice Mocci
Revolver PR
E: beatrice@revolver-pr.co.uk
M: 0845 130 8992
@revolverpr

Revolver PR
38 Lansdowne Crecent
Glasgow
G20 6NH

This release was published on openPR.