Social gaming juggernaut Zynga is teaming up with toy maker Hasbro to create a "wide range of toys and gaming experiences" based on Zynga properties and brands, a release read.
The first products are expected to hit the market in Fall 2012. The agreement gives Hasbro license to develop and distribute an array of products in various toy and game categories for Zynga's various properties. The companies will also be able to co-brand merchandise, which could potentially lead to digital product tie-ins.
The Hasbro/Zynga deal is just the latest to create real-life products out of social games. Angry Birds is a bona fide brand of its own, with licensees for everything from toys to plush dolls to baby clothes. Disney's social network for tweens, Club Penguin, sells plush toys that also act as in-game bonuses.
While Zynga has an enormous audience -- 227 million users play its games every month -- its biggest hits (CityVille, FarmVille and Words With Friends) don't have immediately recognizable mascots or protagonists like Angry Birds. Sure, the -Ville franchises share similar character designs but the games are largely about individual player experiences.
That doesn't mean that products based on the brand can't work. Speaking only for myself (and not the rest of Mashable) this recovering FarmVille addict would be tempted to buy a miniature FarmVille playset or stuffed Truffle Hunting Pig.