Atari has teamed up with Jonathan Cheban, aka Foodgod for the latest update to RollerCoaster Tycoon Touch. The TV personality and social media influencer appears in the game as a rendered character alongside his restaurant and other food-related items.
RollerCoaster Tycoon Touch, the mobile version of Atari’s popular amusement park management game, is using influencer marketing to engage exist players and attract new ones. A food-themed update was added to the game on Thursday, starring a rendered version of Foodgod, known for his appearances on Keeping Up with the Kardashians, Celebrity Big Brother House and his culinary exploits on social media.
The Foodgod partnership with RollerCoaster Tycoon will allow for cross-promotion between the two brands and encourage in-game purchases, as the game is free-to-play (FTP).
The Foodgod update adds six new food stands and “FoodPalace,” a large food court restaurant themed after the influencer’s “signature gastronomic style and affinity for over-the-top foods and desserts.” Players can offer their guests treats such as tropical smoothies, donut waffles and hot dogs with ketchup, among others menu items.
In the game, players can customize their amusement parks to keep its virtual guests happy and spending money. Different add-ons can be obtained through cards which can be earned or purchased. Players can find Foodgod cards in the game’s standard card packs or purchase them in the store.
Atari chose Cheban as a brand partner because of his affinity for both food and games, CEO Fred Chesnais explained in a press release. His large social following doesn’t hurt either—the young foodie boasts over 2.8 million followers on Instagram. One video of Cheban eating a hamburger garnered over half a million views alone.
“RollerCoaster Tycoon was a favorite game growing up. Now, to be able to share my food experiences in RollerCoaster Tycoon Touch is surreal,” said Cheban in a statement.
