MDI licenses AMC’s “The Walking Dead”

In addition to printed and terminal-generated games, MDI will offer lotteries show-themed digital games delivered to players via the internet and mobile devices as permitted by law, including electronic instant tickets (lottery instant tickets purchased online), 2nd Chance games (played online for drawing entries and instant win prizes) and “just for fun” games. Branded merchandise will be available for prizing, and experiential grand prizes can be developed.

Currently in season three, “The Walking Dead” reigns as the most watched drama in basic cable history. In addition to its remarkable viewership, it has more than 15 million Facebook fans, and more than a million people subscribe to the show’s newsletter.

“It’s safe to say that ‘The Walking Dead’ is far more than a cult hit at this point,” commented Steve Saferin, President, Properties Group and Chief Creative Officer for Scientific Games. “When a show continues to grow season after season and continues to break records among the 18- to 49-year-old demo, it’s definitely noteworthy. The size and passion of the fan base in this coveted adult demographic, along with the constant positive press about the show, leads us to believe that ‘The Walking Dead’ will make a great licensed game for lotteries.”

“The Walking Dead” debuted on AMC in October of 2010, and is based on the comic book series written by Robert Kirkman and published by Image Comics. It chronicles the months and years that follow the zombie apocalypse, and tracks a group of survivors, led by police officer Rick Grimes, who travel in search of safety and security. 

The story explores the challenges of life in a world overrun by zombies, the toll these challenges take on the survivors and how interpersonal conflicts sometimes present a greater danger to survival than the zombies themselves. Over time, the characters are changed by the constant exposure to death, some growing willing to do anything to survive. “The Walking Dead” received the Emmy Award for Outstanding Prosthetic Makeup two years in a row (2011 and 2012).