THE GAME FACTORY, an international publisher of video and computer games based on leading international children's characters, today announced the signing of a worldwide publishing agreement with Build-A-Bear Workshop®, a make-your-own stuffed animal retailer, to market their first Nintendo DS™ title that will virtually recreate the Build-A-Bear Workshop® experience. Geared to players five and older, the game will launch right in time for Christmas 2007

The Build-A-Bear Workshop® game will give young gamers the chance to virtually personalize a furry friend of their liking, name, brush and care for it and buy virtual clothes and accessories to unlock mini-games. Building off of the success of 300+ Build-A-Bear Workshop® stores worldwide, The Game Factory will give gamers a chance to fully interact with their furry friend just like a guest in the real-world store.

“We’re honored that the Build-A-Bear Workshop team has entrusted us with creating the first Nintendo DS™ game that mimics the hands-on experience of choosing, stuffing, dressing and playing with a teddy bear in a physical store,” said Henrik Mathiasen, president for The Game Factory. “We look forward to translating this interactivity into a multi-layered gaming experience that will engage children’s imaginations.”

"We know that kids around the world continue to be enchanted by the ability to design and make their own stuffed animal," said Maxine Clark, Build-A-Bear Workshop®'s founder and chief executive bear. "We are pleased that through our partnership with The Game Factory we’ll be able to expand on our store experience and allow children an entirely new way to personalize and play with their cherished furry friends."

Set in a Build-A-Bear Workshop® store, players will choose, stuff, stitch, dress, name and play with their 3D teddy bear. Twenty different themed mini-games can be unlocked as players win virtual money to buy additional accessories and clothes along the way. Developed by game developer Neko Entertainment the characters and levels in the Build-A-Bear Workshop® Game will be rendered in 3D and a player’s choice of stuffed animal, outfits and accessories will trigger a variety of animations and behaviors. Neko will also incorporate full interaction between the player and his/her furry friend to unlock mini-games that will take full advantage of the 3D, touch screen and microphone capabilities of the Nintendo DS™ system. The game will also feature a Wi-fi multiplayer game mode.