Universal's upcoming movie "Hop" bounces into the popular iPhone game "Doodle Jump" today with a free, Easter-themed update.
According to Universal, the free update, which is now available for download, "will allow players to unlock the secret Easter theme within the game."
OK, so "secret" is stretching it, but the update will let players access a previously unknown game-within-the-game.
On the new level, players become E.B., the teenage son of the Easter Bunny — and a character in Universal and Illumination Entertainment's "Hop."
Users can find the "secret" level by setting their name in the end-game screen to "Hop."
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The movie blends animation with live action and stars Russell Brand as the voice of E.B., who is about to take over as the Easter Bunny but decides instead to pursue his dream of becoming a drummer.
“We’re thrilled to be working with Universal on this crossover of 'Hop' and 'Doodle Jump,'” Igor Pusenjak, the president and co-founder of 'Doodle Jump' creator Lima Sky said in a statement. “'Doodle Jump' players have always enjoyed when we introduce new characters and themes to the game, and allowing them to play as the lovable E.B. from 'Hop' will be a special treat.”
It's increasingly common for studios to release mobile games along with movies. "Avatar," "How to Train Your Dragon," "Despicable Me" and "Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince" are but a few of the movies with their own games.
Lately, the trend is for movie studios to piggyback onto already popular games like "Doodle Jump."
In January, Twentieth Century Fox announced that "Angry Birds Rio," a sequel to the hugely popular game "Angry Birds," will be released in late March in conjunction with the studio's new animated feature "Rio."