LOS ANGELES, April 2, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Neopets (www.neopets.com), the beloved virtual pet game, is thrilled to announce a new partnership with Evolution, a leading US based licensing agency. This strategic move, effective April 2025, aims to enhance brand relevance and drive licensing growth. Together, they seek to strengthen Neopets' presence in the global entertainment and gaming landscape by forging high-profile collaborations and expanding into new product categories and markets.
The announcement follows a record-breaking year in 2024, during which Neopets experienced a threefold increase in its player base, with daily active users (DAU) peaking at nearly 250,000 and monthly active users (MAU) surpassing 400,000 – the highest in the past decade. The brand also collaborated with over 30 partners to extend its reach across multiple categories. Notable successes include:
"We are excited to partner with Evolution," said Dominic Law, CEO of Neopets. "Their proven expertise in retail management, strategic brand monetization and licensee acquisitions will play a key role in our journey to revive one of the world's most iconic gaming titles. This collaboration will allow us to expand into new product categories and explore exciting opportunities with major brands across various fields."
"Our goal is to help Neopets navigate today's evolving licensing landscape and unlock new opportunities for brand growth across multiple product verticals," stated Travis J. Rutherford, Co-Founder and Chief Revenue Officer at Evolution. "We are dedicated to creating innovative programs that not only celebrates Neopets' rich legacy but also introduce fresh experiences that engage both longtime fans and new audiences."
This partnership represents an important step in expanding Neopets' reach through high-quality licensed products. With a focus on the U.S. and Canadian markets, Neopets aims to establish itself as a growing presence in the global licensing landscape. In 2025, fans can look forward to exciting new collaborations that will bring the magic of Neopia to life in delightful ways, allowing both nostalgic players and new audiences to engage with the brand like never before.
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About Neopets
Loved by 150 million players worldwide, Neopets is the world's favourite virtual pet game allowing players to create, care for and raise a wide range of innovative characters in the land of Neopia. Originally browser-based, today players can interact with Neopets across mobile devices and in real life through board games, plushie and trading cards. Under new leadership since July 2023, Neopets has reinvented itself, introducing 100+ classic mini-games, new storylines and licensing partnerships. These partnerships included collectibles, merchandise and tabletop gaming, Neopets blends digital and physical gaming engagement whilst living by core values of creativity and community. Now celebrating its 25th anniversary, Neopets continues to evolve as an inclusive entertainment brand that connects generations of players through shared Neopia adventures.
About Evolution
Evolution is a leading licensing and brand management agency headquartered in Calabasas, California, servicing the popular culture, television and film, gaming, toy, celebrity, character, outdoor, motorsports and lifestyle industry verticals. Evolution offers bespoke turn-key solutions, including strategic brand planning, market analysis, contract negotiations, legal support, product development, retail development, finance and royalty collections, contract compliance, inventor relations, as well as providing leading manufacturers a full service licensing acquisitions team.
Evolution monetizes and enhances brand value via licensing, direct to retail partnerships, collaborations, experiential retail, direct to consumer sales and location based entertainment.
The agency's clients include: Gaumont Television, Stampede Ventures, Patricia Nash, Black Angus Steakhouse, Senna Brands, The Revelyst Group, Pressman Films, Morgan Creek Entertainment, Revolution Studios, Smoko, Tilting Point, OLO Industries, World of Neopets, and The Ella Fitzgerald Charitable Foundation, among others.
** The press release content is from PR Newswire. Bastille Post is not involved in its creation. **
Neopets Powers Up Its Comeback: Strategic Partnership with Evolution to Boost Global Licensing Efforts
SHENZHEN, China, April 11, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Recently, Yole Group, an international research institute and market research & strategy consulting company, released the LiDAR for Automotive 2025 report (hereinafter referred to as the "Report"). According to the Report, RoboSense has secured three global No.1 positions in the automotive LiDAR market: No.1 in 2024 global passenger car LiDAR market share, annual sales champion for ADAS LiDAR, and cumulative ADAS sales champion from 2018 to 2024. These achievements further demonstrate RoboSense's leading position and strong capabilities in the global LiDAR industry.
The Report also highlights RoboSense's progress in globalization, expansion into the Robotaxi market, and cutting-edge technology development over the past year, indicating a promising future.
Market Leadership
Market Share Leader, Annual and Cumulative Sales Champion
According to the Report, the global passenger car LiDAR market is experiencing rapid growth, with a 68% YOY increase in 2024 and market size reaching USD 692 million. RoboSense ranked first globally with a 26% market share. Thanks to the widespread adoption of high-level ADAS with LiDAR in China, the global market is booming, with Chinese LiDAR brands accounting for 92% of global share — closely linked to Chinese automakers' large-scale deployment and reliance on domestic supply chains.
The Report also notes that approximately 1.6 million LiDAR units were installed in passenger vehicles globally in 2024, more than doubling from the previous year. RoboSense ranked No.1 in global annual sales with 519,800 units sold. Among the rapidly expanding passenger car LiDAR market, the Report identifies RoboSense as the leader among the "Big Four" Chinese LiDAR companies.
RoboSense's impressive market performance is the result of its long-standing commitment to market-driven collaboration and continuous technological innovation. As of the end of March 2025, RoboSense has established close partnerships with over 30 OEMs and Tier 1 suppliers worldwide, including BYD, Zeekr, and IM, with more than 100 vehicle models awarded. From January to March 2025, RoboSense has supported the launch and debut of 15 collaborative models, including Toyota bZ3X, GAC Trumpchi S7, and Geely Galaxy E8. With the rapid adoption of L2+ advanced driving assistance systems, over 10 vehicle models in the ¥150,000–¥200,000 range have launched mass-produced models equipped with RoboSense LiDAR.
Furthermore, Yole Group estimates that between 2018 and 2024, RoboSense led the cumulative global passenger car LiDAR sales with over 800,000 units sold, far ahead of other brands — solidifying its position as a global leader in LiDAR technology and delivery capabilities.
Accelerating Global Expansion
Mass Production Collaboration in EU, U.S., and Japan
The Report indicates that China, the EU, the U.S., Japan, and Korea are all showing active plans to release car models equipped with LiDAR. Chinese OEMs are expected to release 111 car models with LiDAR in 2025 or soon after. EU OEMs are projected to launch 4+ car models with LiDAR, while U.S. OEMs plan to release 2. Additionally, Japanese and Korean OEMs are expected to release 2+ car models with LiDAR in 2024 or soon after.
While maintaining its leading position in China, RoboSense is rapidly expanding globally with its high-performance and highly reliable LiDAR products, becoming a preferred partner for overseas OEMs in their smart transformation. RoboSense has secured 8 overseas and Sino-foreign joint venture brand partnerships, including a top-tier Sino-American joint venture automaker, all three of Japan's top automakers, two Sino-European collaborative brands, a leading emerging automaker in North America, and a North American new energy vehicle brand — covering major automotive markets across Europe, North America, and Asia-Pacific.
L4 LiDAR Market
Rapid Expansion and Securing Multiple Leading Robotaxi Clients
As the global Robotaxi market shifts from pilot programs to large-scale deployment, the number of LiDAR units per vehicle is expected to rise significantly, accelerating growth in the L4 LiDAR segment.
Yole Group forecasts that the global L4 LiDAR market will reach USD 166 million in 2024, a 35% YOY increase. Among the 10 L4 autonomous driving companies listed in the Report, six have adopted RoboSense's LiDAR product, reflecting its exceptional performance and industry recognition.
With its stable, reliable, and automotive-grade LiDAR, RoboSense is poised to become a mainstream supplier for commercial Robotaxi vehicles, unlocking significant growth opportunities.
Cutting-Edge Technology and Full Product Portfolio
Full-Stack Chip Self-Development Drives Digital Transformation
The Report also analyzes technology trends among leading global LiDAR suppliers. According to Yole Group, RoboSense is the only global LiDAR brand offering a complete portfolio that includes mechanical, 1D and 2D hybrid solid-state, and full solid-state LiDAR products — leveraging innovation to stay ahead in diverse application scenarios.
Yole Group also notes that RoboSense, among others, has begun incorporating SPAD-SoC chips in its latest product designs. By combining VCSEL with SPAD-SoC, LiDAR systems can achieve longer detection range and higher resolution, breaking through performance limitations.
As a pioneer of LiDAR technology, RoboSense integrated LiDAR technology architecture in 2024 and mastered full-stack chip self-development, covering transceiving, scanning, and data processing. With a comprehensive product platform featuring "1D mechanical scanning, 2D MEMS scanning, and all-solid-state array scanning," RoboSense has pioneered the mass production of digital LiDAR and established the industry's most complete product portfolio. This allows rapid development and iteration to meet the diverse needs of intelligent driving, robotics, and other applications.
Amid widespread adoption of intelligent driving and rapid growth in the robotics industry, demand for LiDAR sensors and fusion perception solutions is rising rapidly. As the world's first company to ship over one million LiDAR units, RoboSense will continue to strengthen its global leadership in technology and mass production, driving the industry toward a smarter, safer, and more efficient future.
About RoboSense
RoboSense (2498.HK), founded in 2014, is an AI-driven robotic technology company that supplies advanced and reliable incremental components and solutions for the robotic industry. The company is committed to "become a global leader in robotic technology platforms," and its mission is "Safer world, Smarter life." For more information about RoboSense, visit https://www.robosense.ai
** The press release content is from PR Newswire. Bastille Post is not involved in its creation. **
RoboSense Ranked No. 1 in Global Passenger Car LiDAR Market Share, Annual and Cumulative Sales in 2024 | Yole Annual Report
RoboSense Ranked No. 1 in Global Passenger Car LiDAR Market Share, Annual and Cumulative Sales in 2024 | Yole Annual Report
RoboSense Ranked No. 1 in Global Passenger Car LiDAR Market Share, Annual and Cumulative Sales in 2024 | Yole Annual Report
