Florian Bohn, CEO of Tivola Games & Michael Mack, Owner of Europa-Park — Interview Series

MACK Magic, the prolific torchbearers behind one of Germany’s most prestigious family-owned theme parks—Europa-Park—is set to collaborate with Tivola Games to create Edd & Edda: GRAND PRIX — Racing Champions—a game that will look to merge classic kart racing with the faithful cast of the upcoming motion picture, Grand Prix of Europe. To learn more about this collaboration, I caught up with Michael Mack, owner of Europa-Park, and Florian Bohn, CEO of Tivola Games.

We appreciate you for taking the time out to speak with us! Please could you tell us a bit about yourself? How did it all start for you, and what brought you to Tivola Games?

Florian: Of course! My name is Florian Bohn and I actually started in the gaming industry over 15 years ago, working my way up to become the CEO at “Travian Games”. While I was working in other industries later in my career, I always kept an eye on the gaming sector and then had the chance to “return to my roots” – so to speak – two years ago when I joined Swedish gaming company “Jumpgate” as CFO & COO. “Tivola Games” has been part of the Jumpgate portfolio since 2020. Earlier this year I took over our young and energetic team as CEO in order to help with the new focus on Premium games for PC and console. A game like Edd & Edda: GRAND PRIX — Racing Champions was exactly what we had in mind when we did this shift.

Tivola Games’ latest collaboration with MACK Magic will see in the arrival of Edd & Edda: GRAND PRIX — Racing Champions on consoles and PC next year. Tell us, what inspired this collaborative effort to bring the motion picture GRAND PRIX OF EUROPE to the gaming sphere?

Florian: The idea to make a game based on the upcoming movie “Grand Prix of Europe” came from Michael Mack. Luckily enough for us, we got connected. And we at Tivola Games had our long history of making cute and family-friendly games to show for us. Of course, we all knew Europa-Park and were thrilled to pitch our ideas for such a game. And we were even more thrilled when we learned that Michael liked our vision. We’re really proud to be cooperating with “MACK Magic” and a mastermind like Michael – and to just be part of a transmedia project of this scope.

Michael: My family has been a rollercoaster manufacturer and theme park operator for eight generations. Each generation has diversified the business while staying true to our core mission of entertaining people. We think in terms of generations and always aim for synergies. Under our brand, MACK Magic, we want to produce content and develop intellectual properties (IPs). Collaborating with Tivola on a game, alongside our worldwide animated feature, creates significant synergies and aligns perfectly with our transmedia strategy.

Michael — thanks for joining us! Please could you tell us a bit about your background in the industry?

Michael: With our parent company, MACK Rides, we construct roller coasters and rides for parks worldwide. Our theme park, Europa-Park, was established in 1975 as a showcase for our attractions. Today, it has become Germany’s largest theme park and has been voted the best park in the world several times. When I joined the board in 2014, I began to rethink Europa-Park as a showcase and platform for content and digital experiences as well. In 2011, I started producing content for our attractions featuring our mascots and began building an intellectual property (IP) around them. We have always looked for ways that media can enhance the immersion of attractions and experiences. In 2015, we invented and patented virtual reality (VR) for roller coasters and founded VR Coaster, equipping roller coasters all over the world while also spreading our content and IP into parks globally.

We’d love to hear more about MACK One and the multimedia world that you’ve worked tirelessly to create over the years. How did it all begin, and what are you aiming to achieve as a team?

Michael: With the great success of VR Coaster, I realized that we needed a dedicated unit to focus on group-wide innovation. This is all coordinated by MACK One, which oversees our subsidiaries, including the animation studio MACK Animation and MACK Media for live-action content. We aim to be an innovator in location-based entertainment, combining physical and digital experiences while spreading our own IP content worldwide. As a ride manufacturer, content producer, and VR innovator, and with Europa-Park as our playground, we have a unique setup. We are working on free-roaming VR and robotic technology. A major showcase for us is our ‘Yullbe’ system, which combines all our competencies.

Europa-Park is a whole other ballgame, and one that we’re eager to learn more about. Could you tell us a bit more about how the theme park found its muse, and how it came to earn the title of one of the best resorts in Europe?

Michael: Europa-Park is truly unique. It is the only family-owned park of its size. With Mack Rides as a world-renowned premium ride manufacturer, there is always something new to try out. We continue to invest in quality, which our guests appreciate. We also remain true to our European heritage with various themed areas representing different European cultures. The park has grown organically, and we consistently aim for synergies. Step by step, we have established six hotels, making us Germany’s largest hotel resort. In 2019, we opened our second gate, Rulantica, which is a water park adjacent to Europa-Park. Our location has become a real tourist destination, attracting around 7 million visitors each year. During their stay, guests enter our world from the beginning to the end of their visit. This is our platform, and we define the experience.

Let’s move on to the upcoming game. Edd & Edda: GRAND PRIX — Racing Champions is said to feature an “undeniably adorable kart racing” experience. Could you tell us what sets it apart from other family-friendly kart racing games?

Florian: We were aware that with a kart racer, you cannot and probably should not try to re-invent the wheel (pun intended). But we wanted to make sure that the wonderful locations of the movie, as well as the love for detail, and a heartfelt warmth that is part of the movie, as well as content related to Europa-Park, came to life in our game. We wanted to make a game for families that are already fans of Europa-Park and for all the new fans that will fall in love with the movie and its characters. And our team is working on making that happen every day.

Let’s talk about the characters who will flesh out Edd & Edda. Aside from the titular protagonists, who else will we be seeing behind the wheel come launch day?

Michael: The Europa-Park mascots Ed & Edda are well known to over 100 million guests who have visited us over the years. Every generation of guests has created lasting memories connected to the park and its mascots. By giving them a story world, they have become characters that fans will also encounter in the racing game. In addition to the full-feature game, there will be an innovative interactive media ride based on the Ed and Edda story world, which is set to open at Europa-Park in 2025.

Thrilled to announce today that #MACKMagic, in collaboration with Tivola Games, will release Ed & Edda: GRAND PRIX – Racing Champions in summer 2025! Join the stars of Europa-Park in this new game adventure, based on the upcoming GRAND PRIX OF EUROPE feature film. pic.twitter.com/JeVmG3yWgK

— Michael Mack (@MichaelMack) August 19, 2024

Of course, Tivola Games has a history of creating games that resonate with younger audiences and families alike. Would you say that Edd & Edda shares a similar target demographic?

Florian: Tivola Games had been making games for families, children, and young adults for almost 30 years now. So, in a way, creating a game for a brand that stands for family entertainment like almost no other in Germany, seems like the perfect fit.

Could you give us a few tips for tackling the circuit? Are there any dos or don’ts that might just help fledgling racers to burn a little extra rubber out on the track?

Florian: The game and its content are still top secret, of course! But let me say this: If you watch the movie and pay close attention to what’s going on during the races, you might be well prepared for some of the surprises that will be waiting for you.

So, how’s the fourth quarter looking for Tivola Games? Aside from Edd & Edda, are there any other upcoming projects that you’d like to share with our readers?

Florian: Until the end of the year, we will entirely focus on “Edd & Edda”. That way we can make sure that an amazing game will be ready when the movie hits theaters next year. It’s a strategy that also worked well with our mobile game Cat Rescue Story, which won the German computer game awards as best mobile game earlier this year.

And what about Europa-Park and the MACK One sphere? Do you have any big plans to broaden the scope over the next quarter, Michael?

Michael: Europa-Park will celebrate its 50th anniversary in July 2025. In addition to the release of the full feature film in collaboration with Warner Bros and the launch of the game, we are planning a major campaign and celebratory events for 2025. This will be an unforgettable experience for our guests and fans, and it will capture the attention of people across Europe. Many exciting surprises are yet to come!

We’d love to stay on top of the latest updates from the upcoming karting chapter. Are we able to jot down any social feeds, newsletters, or events?

Michael: Please feel free to follow Europa-Park social media or have a look at our website www.grand-prix-of-europe.com for more information.

Would you like to add anything to the pot before we close the book?

Michael: Thanks to Tivola for your trust and great work. Let’s cross the fingers that the Grand Prix adventure will be a success and our long term entry to the gaming business.

Thanks for your time, and good luck with the launch of Edd & Edda: GRAND PRIX — Racing Champions! We look forward to seeing more of Edd & Edda over the coming months!

Grand Prix of Europe is coming to cinemas in 2025. You can find more information about the upcoming motion picture via the website here.

For more information on Tivola Games’ Edd & Edda: GRAND PRIX — Racing Champions, be sure to check in with the team over on their official social channel here. Alternatively, you can visit the website for additional coverage and details here.