Ziggy & Pam Sports Arena

Arena soccer with Ziggy against Pam the pug, from a side camera or straight overhead. Play the computer, or a friend on the same keyboard.

Play it free Put your kid in a game

How we made it

At a glance

Format: One on one arena soccer, rounded boards, golden goal
Players: One player against the computer, or two on one keyboard or two gamepads
Levels: Easy, Medium and Hard; two- or four-minute matches
Plays on: iPads, Chromebooks, phones and laptops, right in the browser
Cameras: Raised side view or straight overhead, switch any time

What it teaches

Dribbling: keeping the ball close and turning with it
Tackling by stepping into the dribbler's path instead of chasing from behind
Timing a charged kick

What this game means

Every kid with a dog has wondered who would win. The Sports Arena puts the two of them on the same field and lets the kid find out, and Pam is no pushover.

It's also where the studio's sports engine started. The camera, the characters, the ball and the sound were built here first and then copied into the starter kit that Soccer Kids, Hockey Kids and Pickle Kids grew from.

Two cameras, one match

The same match plays from a raised side view or straight down from above, and the camera swoops between them in under a second. On a phone held upright, the overhead view turns the field to fit.

They play differently

Ziggy has the bigger kick, volleys, headers and a slide tackle. Pam is quicker, dribbles closer and pounces.

Play a friend

Two players can share one keyboard or use two gamepads. Phones get a thumb stick and a Kick button: hold to charge, release to kick.

A match behind the menu

The front page plays a live computer match while you pick your options, so there's always something moving.

Screens from the game

Ziggy and Pam Sports Arena from the side camera: Ziggy dribbles toward midfield with Pam at his heels, 0-0 with 1:49 left, under the sponsor boards and a packed crowd

Ziggy and Pam the pug racing for the ball beside the goal

The Sports Arena from the overhead camera: Ziggy carries the ball out of the center circle with Pam chasing, Pam up 1-0 with 1:30 left

The Sports Arena on a phone held sideways: Ziggy and Pam chase a bouncing ball near the goal, tied 2-2 with 1:01 left, with the thumb stick and the Kick button on screen

On the field

A boy and his pug. Either one can win.

Ziggy

Bigger kick, headers and a slide tackle
vs
Pam

Quicker, dribbles closer and pounces

Put your kid in a game

How to play

On a tablet or phone: Drag on the left to run. Hold Kick to charge and let go to kick.
On a keyboard: Run with WASD or the arrows. Space kicks; hold it for a harder kick. C switches the camera.