De Blob (lost production material of cancelled animated series based on THQ video game series; 2010)

The concept art of de Blob.

Status: Lost

de Blob is a duology of puzzle-platform video games published by THQ released from 2008 to 2011, and later re-released in 2018 for the eighth generation of gaming. The short-lived series centred around the titular Blob, who is thrust into repainting Chroma City with color against the actions of INKT Corporation, who drains the colorful wonder of the alien city, led by their leader of Comrade Black. While it was one of the few original IPs from THQ, the franchise is fondly remembered and are considered cult classics of the seventh generation of gaming. In-between the releases of the games, an animated series from SYFY was announced, but was never released.

History

In February 2010, right after the official announcement of de Blob 2, it was announced that THQ and SYFY would be collaborating to produce an animated series of de Blob as a plan to make the video games a multi-media franchise. The animated adaptation of de Blob was planned to spearhead the kids brand of SYFY, with the possibility of further cartoon collaborations between THQ and SYFY for the future. In the original press release, THQ executive vice president, Doug Clemmer, shared his thoughts on the reveal:

"We are pleased that our owned franchise de Blob has been selected as a foundational character and storyline for Syfy’s new Syfy Kids brand. We look forward to working closely with Syfy to introduce de Blob’s colourful world to a new audience of young adults via webisodes, television and other media, broadening awareness for this loveable hero."

Due to their deal, SYFY Kids would co-publish de Blob 2 with THQ, appearing in the advertising for the sequel starting with the original release trailer from E3 2010. In the merchandise for the game, the SYFY Kids logo would be heavily featured alongside the likes of THQ and Blue Tongue Entertainment. While de Blob 2 released in February 2011 as expected, no news about the cartoon came.

Availability

As of 2022, very little material of the proposed de Blob adaptation has surfaced, and no other announcements of it aside from the original press release and mentions during the lead-up to de Blob 2 were made. In 2020, per the word of a journalist who had interviewed de Blob team back in 2011, it was revealed the underperformance of de Blob 2, the closure of Blue Tongue, and THQ's subsequent bankruptcy is what led to the animated series never getting produced. As a result, the SYFY Kids branding went nowhere and no programming was produced for it. In March 2013, months after THQ closed down, it was confirmed the deal between them and SYFY had fallen through, and the SYFY Kids attempt as a whole was scrapped. It is unknown if any development was done for the show before it was cancelled, although a singular piece of concept art exists that was published in October 2011.