Cartoon Network releases its first original smartphone game

Kids TV empire Cartoon Network is branching out by publishing its first original mobile title not based on an established show.

OK K.O.! Lakewood Plaza Turbo is actually based on a pilot for a show called Lakewood Plaza Turbo by Ian Jones-Quarterly. That series was never commissioned, and Jones-Quarterly instead went on to create Steven Universe.

The free-to-play mobile title was co-created by Regular Show’s storyboard director Toby Jones. It will be accompanied by a number of animated shorts, each made in a different style by a different studio and available on the network’s website.

Cartoon network has also announced its first ever indie game jam, which will take place in Portland, Oregon on February 12th. 200 participating developers will have 48 hours to create their own title based in the Lakewood Plaza universe.

Cartoon Network is no longer just creating series, we are creating animated worlds,” Cartoon Network’s chief content officer Rob Sorcher said. OK K.O.! is part of our new development strategy which brings a diverse array of creative and digital talent collaborations to the storytelling process.”