“Silly old fox, doesn’t he know? There’s no such thing as a gruffalo!”
The mouse may have confidently gloated about the gruffalo, insisting the beast does not exist, but a team of Dundee software developers would beg to differ.
A new app based on the iconic children’s book has been released by Stormcloud Games.
The company, which is based at Abertay University, joined forces with Magic Light Pictures to create the first Gruffalo: Games app.
It follows on from the well-known books, illustrations and films.
The game has been in development for nearly a year and was officially released this week.
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Stormcloud managing director Frank Arnot has a close connection to the Gruffalo series after reading the books to his children crucial in translating the famous tale into an interactive experience.
He said: “Most of the team here have kids, and I know that a lot of us used to read the books to them when they were young.
“I really enjoy them, and when we got the contract to turn it into a game it felt extra special because we are fans of the books and films.”
Author of the books Julia Donaldson worked closely with the Stormcloud team to come up with a product that would appeal to long-term fans.
Mr Arnot added: “We worked closely with Julia, and I know that she wanted to make the games educational as well as fun, so that’s what aims were throughout the design process.
“We didn’t set out to make another Angry Birds we wanted to stay true to the stories and illustrations that everyone will know.
“It has probably been the most well-known title that we have all worked on as a team, and I feel really privileged to have made it.”
Magic Light Pictures owns the rights to the Gruffalo series and co-founder of the company Martin Pope praised the game and the ability of the Tayside team to stay true to the original tales.
He said: “The games are fun, challenging and encourage imagination and we’re thrilled that the Gruffalo’s many fans will be able to enjoy them as much as we do.”