Animation Studio Cheeky Little has developed platformer Kangaroo Beach: Rescue Run Run in-house, making its first foray into the game.
Aiming for ages 4 and above, the game is based on the company’s ABC Kindergarten series of the same name and watches players achieve high scores by running and avoiding obstacles such as crabs, seagulls, and sandcastles on the beach. Unlike the 3D animated series, it boasts a 2D, 8-bit aesthetic.
The concept, design and all visual assets of Rescue Run were developed by a two-person team at Cheeky Little, while the code and backend work was completed by an Argentine contractor. Built with Godot, an open source game engine, it took about 2-3 months from concept to completion.
The free version of the game is currently available via a web browser and there is a full app version that will launch on Apple iOS and Android next month. The app version of the game has expanded features for Kangaroo Beach characters, including costumes, equipment, achievement system for purchasing pets, new playable characters, and cosmetics stores.
Created by Tim Bain, Kangaroo Beach follows the training of four cadets. The livessavers are Lifesaving (Harriet Hines), Frizzy (Eliza Hines), Neville (Jella Wright Smith), and Gemma (Milly Egerton).
The game is one of the brand’s many IP extensions and features a water safety theme unique to the TV series.
Surf LifeSaving Australia has been a TV series investor since season 2, and Beach Passport, an online beach safety course for kids delivered by Qantas, is led by the show’s main characters. The Australian Children’s Television Foundation has also developed water safety-themed educational resources for teachers, based on the messages and skills explored in the series.
Additionally, JPS Productions hosts Meet and Greet of cadets from Craft Village and Kangaroo Beach at the shopping centre.
More widely, Kangaroo Beach also boasts a consumer product line of clothing, toys and water accessories.
David Taylor, the cocky Little Commercial Director, talks about whether the company has always had a “entertainment first” strategy. The hope of being a safety message for Kangaroo Beach sinks into nature and is surrounded by storytelling fun.
That spirit continues in the game, with the desired play serving as an opportunity for parents, caregivers and educators to encourage conversations. Collecting water safety accessories like flotation devices will kill extra lives.
“The good thing about the game is that you want to go back and beat the score, especially when you have a score. We all know what an addictive game will look like if it’s fun enough to play. We hope that the game creates an opportunity to interact with the brand to happen with kids more and more frequently,” he says.
Although 3D animations are expensive to produce, Taylor points out that the game was relatively affordable. The hope is that revenue from the game, as well as other IP exploitation, will help fund further seasons of television series and potential feature films.
