Imangi Studios, Raleigh, N.C., and NFL Players Inc. (NFLPI) recently announced a partnership to bring some of the NFL’s top players to the mobile game Temple Run 2.
The first two members of the lineup — quarterbacks Colin Kaepernick of the San Francisco 49ers and Russell Wilson of the Seattle Seahawks — are available for download within Temple Run 2 for a limited time only. New NFL players will be chosen weekly by Imangi and released through the fall season.
“We are very mindful about choosing the right characters to join the Temple Run universe, and partnering with NFL Players Inc. was a natural fit to include more of the world’s greatest athletes into the game,” says Keith Shepherd, co-founder of Imangi Studios. “We had a great time choosing some favorites and think our fans will enjoy the run even more.”
In Temple Run 2, part of a franchise that has been downloaded more than 1 billion times worldwide, gamers take on the role of an explorer who steals a coveted idol and runs as long as possible through varying landscapes, avoiding obstacles to earn points and escape a terrifying demon monkey. Each professional football player in Temple Run 2 is modeled after his real-life persona.
“Featuring NFL players as in-game characters in Temple Run 2 provides fans with a new way to experience their favorite players using their incredible skills off the field in a unique, fantastical setting,” says Steve Scebelo, vice president of business development and licensing, NFLPI. “Players have embraced the opportunity to become an in-game character and are jockeying for position to be selected by Imangi as the next player to become part of the Temple Run universe.”
Each featured NFL player will remain in the game as runners if fans have downloaded them. Fans should check in weekly at www.facebook.com/templerun for The latest roster additions of runners are available at facebook.com/templerun.
For more information, visit nflplayers.com. — J.L.