AOL announced that it will launch an online interactive game based on the popular Shrek franchise on April 26, three weeks before Shrek the Third hits the movie theaters. The game is co-produced by AOL, DreamWorks Animation and Mark Burnett Productions.

Titled "Ye Olde Shrek the Third Royal Tournament," the game poses a series of online challenges over a six week period involving characters and settings from the movie. Each day, players will have the opportunity to solve new challenges and explore new areas - in all, 25 individual games will be released over the course of the Tournament. The game builds on the success of last year's Flushed Away Underground Adventure game as well as the original Gold Rush, which attracted nearly 11 million users and five blue chip sponsors, including Sara Lee Food & Beverage.

"Shrek is one of the most popular animated franchises of all time, and we are thrilled to be teaming up with Mark Burnett and DreamWorks Animation to create an immersive game based on the world of Shrek," said Mike Kelly, President of AOL Media Networks.

"We are very excited about working with Mark Burnett and AOL again on another new game. This unique and immersive on-line environment allows fans of all ages to connect and interact with all of their favorite Shrek characters -- Shrek, Fiona, Donkey, Puss In Boots and the fairytale creatures -- and also get to know our new cast of characters from 'Shrek the Third,'" said Jeffrey Katzenberg, CEO, DreamWorks Animation. "And on top of that, they will have a chance to win some great prizes along the way."

"We're excited to partner for a second time with AOL and my friend Jeffrey Katzenberg with the creation of a revolutionary interactive gaming experience 'Ye Olde Shrek the Third Royal Tournament'," said Mark Burnett. "Parents and children alike will have the opportunity to absorb the characters and new plots before the movie even hits the theaters. This 360 degree approach to launching a film is the perfect companion to the mammoth promotional Shrek machine."

AOL, Mark Burnett and DreamWorks Animation will unveil "Ye Olde Shrek the Third Royal Tournament" at the AOL First Look event in New York City today, along with several other new programs, including, "Gold Rush Goes Hollywood," Ellen: The Ellen DeGeneres Show tie-in, "Million Dollar Bill" and "iLand." AOL First Look is the first time an online network has announced a series of major-scale programs at a single event, similar to traditional upfront events in the television industry.

How "Ye Old Shrek the Third Royal Tournament" Works

• The Tournament launches on April 26 at shrek.aol.com. Play for fun and to win exciting prizes.

• The game will delight casual and devoted gamers alike.

• 25 individual games featuring characters and situations from the Shrek universe will be released over a six week period. Each game will serve as its own competition event that will last until the end of the Tournament, so players to join the game at any time.

• Each time a player engages with a game, he or she gets an additional entry into that game's prize pool.

• At the end of the Tournament, a grand prize winner will be crowned. The winner will receive incredible prizes, including the ultimate family trip to Hollywood.

About Shrek the Third

When Shrek married Fiona, the last thing he had in mind was becoming the next King. But when Shrek's father-in-law, King Harold, suddenly croaks, that is exactly what he faces. Unless Shrek (with the help of his trusted companions Donkey and Puss In Boots) can find a suitable King for Far Far Away, the ogre could be stuck with the job. The most promising candidate, Fiona's cousin Artie, an underachieving Medieval high school slacker, proves to be more of a challenge than they bargained for.

DreamWorks Animation S.K.G. Presents a PDI/DreamWorks Production, DreamWorks Shrek the Third, which is being distributed by Paramount Pictures. Directed by Chris Miller, the film features the voice talents of Mike Myers, Eddie Murphy, Cameron Diaz, Antonio Banderas, Rupert Everett, Justin Timberlake, Julie Andrews, John Cleese, Eric Idle, Cheri Oteri, Amy Poehler, Maya Rudolph, Amy Sedaris, John Krasinski and Ian McShane. The story is by Andrew Adamson. The screenplay is by Jeffrey Price & Peter S. Seaman and Chris Miller & Aron Warner. The film is produced by Aron Warner and co-directed by Raman Hui. The executive producers are Andrew Adamson and John H. Williams. This film is rated PG for some crude humor, suggestive content and swashbuckling action.