Sacramento, CA — July 8, 2014 — 3D printing is the next big game changer. Harnessing that innovation in the game space is Toyze (pronounced “toy-zee”), the first “app store” for 3D printed customizable game characters. Launched today, and in partnership with Zeptolab, developers of the internationally popular game franchise, Cut the Rope, Toyze takes your favorite game characters out of the game and brings them to life in 3D. Toyze’s free app is currently available on Google Play and will soon be on the App Store.
The promise of 3D printed customizable and branded game characters is democratized in Toyze’s turnkey solution. Toyze offers game developers of all sizes the opportunity to extend their branded characters to 3D custom merchandising, build communities around those brands, share them through social networks, and profit from an additional revenue stream. All this comes together in Toyze’s online marketplace.
“In the near future 3D printers will be ubiquitous, a home appliance allowing people to choose and print anything - from toys to jewelry - in a matter of minutes. Toyze’s game characters marketplace is our first step towards that big vision,” said Toyze Co-founder and Investor Ilja Laurs, who previously founded and ran GetJar, the first mobile app marketplace. “Our team offers a brain-trust of talent in 3D modeling, 3D printing and game app merchandising. With our unique expertise, we have the opportunity to be the first-to-market online marketplace for 3D-printed, customizable game characters – filled with gamers’ most beloved in-game critters and heroes. And, we are thrilled to have Zeptolab and its Cut the Rope franchise – and candy-eating monster, Om Nom - on board as our first licensor, partner and investor.
"We've partnered with Toyze because they have the most cutting-edge technology and an easy-to-use app where your favorite game characters can be customized and ordered to be 3D-printed and delivered to your doorstep — on demand, from a game, straight from your mobile device," said Misha Lyalin, CEO of Zeptolab. "We invested, because just like ZeptoLab, many game developers will find that partnering with Toyze is a great way to provide brand extension and one more revenue stream."
For game players, Toyze offers two options to model and produce their very own toys. First, there is the free app for the easy 3D customization of their favorite game characters. At the swipe of a finger, Toyze’s intuitive in-app 3D editor allows users to personalize the character in a beautiful 3D view, adding accessories and attributes (from hats, to glasses, to moustaches), play with poses and sizes – and build their own collections. Once they have completed their model, users can share their creation via Facebook and email with friends and family.
3D printing comes next! Once the 3D model is complete, gamers can choose to purchase their very own customized toy. Toyze uses the most advanced 3D printing technology to create the model and then ships it right to their door.
To create and personalize a favorite character in 3D, share it and own it, there are 5 easy steps:
1. Download the Toyze app at Google Play: View the tutorial and get started!
2. Choose your favorite game character: Pick from a growing marketplace of games & characters.
3. Use the in-app 3D editor for fun and easy character customization: At the swipe of a finger, add attributes and accessories (hats, glasses, candy, etc.) or change the position and size.
4. Share your new 3D buddy: Introduce and share your game character on your social channels with friends and family.
5. Own a unique 3D printed model: Be the first to own a custom 3D toy! Click the “Buy this Toy” button to choose a size and purchase.
“Our experience with GetJar and its mobile app store gives us extensive experience and connections in the ever-expanding game space. The momentum is strong and we will be announcing several more game developers and characters in the coming weeks and months,” said Laurs.
About ZeptoLabZeptoLab UK Limited is a global gaming and entertainment company best known for developing the award-winning, hit franchise Cut the Rope®, which includes Cut the Rope, Cut the Rope: Experiments and Cut the Rope: Time Travel, available across platforms and devices, and Cut the Rope 2, now available for iOS and Android. Cut the Rope games have been downloaded more than 500 million times by users around the world since the game’s debut in October 2010. The company has also released Pudding Monsters™, which can be downloaded on Android and iOS platforms. For more information, please visit www.zeptolab.com
About ToyzeToyze Marketplace is the first “app store” for 3D printed customizable game characters that allows gamers to 3D model and print their favorite game characters. Toyze aims to democratize and stir up the toy market by offering game developers of all sizes the opportunity to extend their branded characters to custom merchandising. The company was founded in 2014 in Lithuania by Ilja Laurs, chairman of European VC firm Nextury Ventures and former founder and CEO of GetJar – together with a team of technology professionals from Lithuania. Toyze’s first partner, licensee and investor is Zeptolab, developers of the award-winning, hit franchise Cut the Rope®. For more information, please visit www.toyze.com and follow us on Twitter @Toyze.
