Nickelodeon’s Got Game for Green Initiative

By Vlada Gelman

Nickelodeon is launching the first multiplayer kids’ game online as part of its Big Green Help initiative.

The Big Green Help Global Challenge will ask kids to virtually pledge volunteer hours that can be translated into action for environmental change in their homes, communities and schools.

Kids can choose from four Nicktoon characters, including SpongeBob SquarePants and “The Fairly OddParents’” Timmy Turner, and team up with three other players to defeat monsters like Carbon Creeper, Waste Whirlwind and Guzzlor.

The game will be available in more than 15 Nickelodeon markets, including the U.K., Brazil, Germany, Italy, Denmark, Sweden, Portugal, Spain, Australia, New Zealand, the Philippines, Indonesia, Mexico and Argentina.

Nickelodeon Kids and Family Group’s digital Web sites Addciting Games, Neopets, Shockwave and The-N.com will feature green-themed mini-games as part of the challenge.

“With about three-quarters of the U.S. kid population actively gaming online, we think our Global Challenge game is a great way to connect them to the pro-social issues they care about, like the environment,” Marva Smalls, executive VP of public affairs for Nickelodeon Kids and Family Group, said in a statement. “Our legacy of empowering kids has shown that they can lead the way in addressing positive change, and we hope this game can be the beginning of a kid-led environmental movement.”