Mark Simester, the former MD of Manchester malt meister Soreen and an ex-marketing director at Bolton baking behemoth Warburtons, is bringing a new AR-tinged trading card game to the UK, alongside a 20-part animated YouTube series.
The YouTube series is produced by global animation powerhouse Cosmos Maya, the creative power behind the Paw Patrol and Cocomelon animated series. Using cutting-edge technology, the Jungle Squad animation is crafted with cinematic action, a truly relevant sustainability-based plot, and a hero versus villain journey that unfolds over time.
The creative development, writing, production and direction were all conducted in-house to provide a unique and cohesive edge to the series.
Simester, now CEO of Imaginakery, said: “Leaving the corporate world behind for a small tech start-up business was quite the leap, and one most people declared crazy, but I’m truly passionate about putting the imagination and energy back into children’s play through the concept of Imaginakery.
“Jungle Squad is where the movement begins and we’re incredibly excited to bring a UK first AR trading game of its kind with a wonderfully captivating YouTube Series to the nation. It delivers storytelling unlike anything currently on UK children’s screens.”
Specialising in design, AR and VR experiences, Manchester-based Corporation Pop are the think tank behind the original, intelligent and engaging development.
Dan Taylor, MD at Corporation Pop said: “When Mark and Imaginakery approached us about bringing their Jungle Squad to life, we knew we could blend their concept of storytelling with interactive gameplay to deliver an unforgettable experience to audiences across the UK. We really believe this is set to be a global phenomenon.”
The Squad comprises a team of animal heroes, each with a detailed backstory and a set of specialist skills. Each card pack includes a set of collectable cards featuring Jungle Squad characters who integrate into an AR world, bringing a whole new realm of innovation and technology to children.
Simester explained: “To activate the card game experience, players scan a character card with their device, and this card acts as a tracker. In an instant, an AR jungle scene appears in augmented reality, bringing children into a wonderfully engaging, interactive and imaginative world to create excitement every time. Each character has a unique signature move on introduction and then the app will select an opponent from the grid of characters at random which include the Squad’s arch-rivals, the RUIN Corporation.
“The game is played out over a series of three rounds, with players pitting one of ten characteristics against their opponent – highest score wins.”
The game and series were launched at an exclusive premiere at Wilmslow’s Rex Cinema at the weekend, including a special appearance from Luke Solve Collectibles, who regularly receives +10million views for his YouTube videos, making him one of the UK’s biggest trading card YouTube influencers.
“I am on a mission to give kids back their imagination, enhance their development and create more family game play moments,” Simester added. “New release Jungle Squad is the antidote to the troubles facing trading cards – offering cards that are affordable, accessible, easy to use and truly imaginative. Through the ground-breaking AR app, the cards blend fast and easy gameplay with augmented reality characters, so that they literally leap off the table and excite the player.
“We are aware that trading cards risk being seen as gambling amongst parents, and as parents we’ve seen the recent boom in kids collecting trading cards for financial value. Much akin to scratch cards for kids – it is the excitement of finding a rare card that holds monetary value, which piques their interest but is short term and unsustainable. Therefore, we wanted Jungle Squad to be focused on play again and have designed our product to appeal to kids and parents, by ensuring we focus on healthier and better experiences.
“My hope is that Jungle Squad’s revolutionary animated YouTube series will enable children to delve into a world of characters, stories, and adventures to spark their imagination, whilst also providing a trading card game that children can play and bring families together to enjoy around the table – something which is sadly missing from many modern homes.
“We want to create a movement that children will love, and parents will thank us for.”
