Disney-Interactive
Latest
Disney retires a ton of apps to focus on 'more engaging' games
Disney Interactive recently announced it was retiring close to 100 applications, claiming that it wants to focus on building "new and more engaging" games. The Disney branch, which is behind the popular Infinity toys-to-life series, says the decision was difficult to make but needed to be done. Most of the affected Android, iOS and Windows Phone apps were outdated, since they had been based on older films. Among them are Guardians of the Galaxy: The Universal Weapon, Lone Ranger, Marvel: Avengers Alliance, Cars: Numbers & Counting, G-Force: Mooch Fly, Toy Story 3: Operation Camouflage and many more. While some of these titles may still be playable and available for download, Disney Interactive says it won't be supporting or updating them going forward. It also said it's not responsible for getting you your money back for any of these retired apps -- the full list is right here.
Disney Infinity 2.0 swings to Vita in May with special Spider-Man
Disney Infinity: Marvel Super Heroes will arrive on PlayStation Vita in May 2015, Avalanche Software tweeted over the weekend. The Vita version of Disney's latest sandbox game will feature Black Suit Spider-Man, which VP of Production John Vignocchi noted will be exclusive to the Vita's starter pack for the game. The pack will come with a Bluetooth-enabled base and will be compatible with PlayStation TV. The Vita version will be about eight months late to the party, as Disney Infinity 2.0 first launched in September for a number of other platforms: Xbox One, PS4, Xbox 360, PS3 and Wii U. Disney issued the game as a stand-alone download for returning players last month and confirmed Disney Infinity 2.0 for Vita in June. While Disney Interactive laid off roughly a quarter of its staff in March, the division posted $116 million in annual operating profit in November. [Image: Disney Interactive]
Disney Infinity takes Interactive division into profit and beyond
Disney Interactive posted $116 million in annual operating profit, which is the first time Disney's gaming arm has made a yearly gain under its current setup. The figure represents the division's profit for the fiscal year that ended September 27, 2014, underlining the impact of Disney Infinity and its array of collectible figures since launching in August 2013. It's not all been plain sailing for Disney Interactive this year, after the division reportedly laid off around 700 employees in March 2014, roughly a quarter of its staff. Disney Interactive President James Pitaro said at the time, "These are large-scale changes as we focus not just on getting to profitability but sustained profitability and scalability." A month later, Pitaro revealed Disney Infinity had notched 3 million starter pack sales and an estimated $500 million in revenue. The game's follow-up, Disney Infinity: 2.0 Edition, launched with a Marvel-boosted line-up in mid-September. In its financial statement, Disney said the sequel's shorter window ahead of the fiscal results "partially offset" the Interactive division's Q4 profit of $18 million, which was still up from the previous year's figure of $16 million.
Disney draws up 20 games on Steam, including Epic Mickey 2
Disney Interactive jumped into the magical world of Steam this week, launching 20 PC games on the platform. Epic Mickey 2: The Power of Two ($17.99) is among the list of games from the publisher now available on Steam, and the one on the list that is new to PC entirely. Epic Mickey 2 first launched in November 2012 to an unenthusiastic reaction at retail, leading to developer Junction Point's closure in January 2013. Disney also dropped the price on each game on Steam by 10 percent until Sunday, October 12. The complete list, which features Pure ($17.99) and Split/Second ($17.99 each), can be found after the break. The launch sale page also includes five game packs, such as the seven-game "Other-Worldly Adventure Pack." [Image: Disney Interactive]
Disney Infinity 2.0 Marvel Super Heroes review: Super friends
Disney Infinity 2.0: Marvel Super Heroes is adorable. From the plucky way characters stride toward danger, to the fantastic, real-world figures that power their adventures, it's hard not to be enamored with the sequel. Each time I plop a new figure on the base and a hero emerges from its magical Disney dust (made up of money and acquisitions), I revert back to that little Canadian kid from the early 90s, spellbound by Saturday morning cartoons.
Disney Infinity's Toy Box 2.0 offered as standalone download
When Disney formally unveiled Disney Infinity 2.0: Marvel Super Heroes in April, the publisher announced that the power discs and base from the first game would be compatible with the one slated to arrive next week. Instead of buying a starter pack for Disney Infinity 2.0 with a new base, returning players will have the option to download the new game's Toy Box mode separately starting on November 4. The Toy Box mode has improved since the first game, offering options for procedurally generated content and themed templates. Priced at $19.99, the standalone Disney Infinity Toy Box 2.0 game will be available for PS4, PS3, Xbox 360 and Wii U players. The developer opted for a November release date to time the digital launch with its physical 2.0 Edition Play Sets as well as the game's Disney Originals series. North American players that download Toy Box 2.0 will receive both the Stitch's Tropical Rescue and Brave Forest Siege game discs for free, with details on the limited-time offer on the way from Disney Interactive as November approaches. Disney Infinity 2.0 launches September 23 for Xbox One, PS4, Xbox 360, PS3 and Wii U. [Image: Disney Interactive]
Star Wars: Commander clashes clans on iOS
LucasArts takes on the strategy genre with this week's iOS launch of Star Wars: Commander, a base-building defense game that pits rebel forces against the Empire in asynchronous online multiplayer battles. Heavily inspired by Supercell's Clash of Clans, Star Wars: Commander allows players to side with either the Empire or the Rebellion in a global player-versus-player war. Each faction features unique themed buildings and troop types, and like Clash of Clans and similar games that have risen in popularity in recent months, players must fortify their defenses in between assaults on enemy player bases. Star Wars: Commander is available as a free download supported by in-game microtransactions. An Android version is slated to launch in September. [Image: LucasArts]
Upgrade Disney Infinity Wii to Wii U free of charge
Still on the fence about buying a Wii U? Disney Interactive is offering a new reason to move to Nintendo's latest home console by allowing Disney Infinity players on Wii to upgrade to the Wii U version free of charge. Beginning today, those that own the Disney Infinity Starter Pack on Wii can download the Wii U version of the sandbox game from the eShop, including the game's multiplayer components. The offer arrives just in time for the next game in the series, Disney Infinity 2.0, which stars Marvel's super heroes when it launches on September 23. The upgrade deal also makes sense for the publisher, as Disney Interactive would certainly love for the series' sizable fanbase on Wii to make the trek to Wii U, given that Disney Infinity 2.0 won't be available on Wii. [Image: Disney Interactive]
Marvel meets mayhem in Disney Infinity 2.0's Toy Box trailer
Marvel's superheroes invade Disney Infinity's sandbox-styled Toy Box mode in the latest trailer for Disney Infinity 2.0, showcasing the game's expanded options for user-generated content. Toy Box 2.0 allows players to create detailed interior areas and minigames that take advantage of character-specific abilities. Of course, if you just want to see Thor pilot a Tron light cycle, that's also an option. A Toy Box-focused Combo Pack will be available when Disney Infinity 2.0 premieres on September 23 for the PlayStation 3, PS4, Xbox 360, Xbox One, and Wii U. [Image: Disney]
Disney Infinity 2.0's Toy Box pack stars Stitch, Merida
Following the recent news about Disney Infinity 2.0's Toy Box, Disney Interactive revealed a combo pack for the game that's centered on the mode. The Toy Box Combo Pack will be a new way to buy the game without all those pesky Marvel Super Heroes, as it stars Merida (Disney's Brave) and Stitch (Lilo and Stitch). The Toy Box Combo Pack will include a copy of the game, the Disney Infinity 2.0 base, one poster, figures for both Merida and Stitch as well as two Toy Box game discs: "Stitch's Tropical Rescue" and "Brave Forest Siege." The starter pack will launch November 4 in North America and November 7 in the UK. Disney Infinity 2.0 will launch September 23 for Xbox One, PS4, Xbox 360, PS3 and Wii U. [Image: Disney Interactive]
Disney Infinity 2.0 is a whole new world with Aladdin, Jasmine
Disney Infinity 2.0 will include playable Aladdin and Princess Jasmine characters, Disney Interactive announced. Aladdin will have his magic lamp and scimitar on hand to defeat baddies, including familiar Agrabah guards from the Aladdin series of films. The acrobatic Jasmine will have the power to summon sandy cyclone winds. Aladdin and Jasmine will be accompanied by four power discs, one of which, named "Rags to Riches," transforms Aladdin into his more royal persona, Prince Ali. Another power disc gives the characters the ability to fly around the toy box on Aladdin's magic carpet. The final two discs affect the landscape of the toy box: The Sands of Agrabah and Jasmine's Palace View. Aladdin's figure will arrive this fall, whereas Jasmine's is slated to launch in early 2015. Disney Infinity 2.0 will launch September 23. [Image: Disney Interactive]
Disney Interactive marvels at a revenue surge in Q3 2014
Disney Interactive, the gaming arm of Disney's multi-appendaged corporate beast, is performing better than last year in the company's third quarter of 2014. Revenue for the Interactive business is up 45 percent to $266 million, while operating income is up from a $58 million loss last year to a $29 million surplus this year. "The increase in game sales was driven by Disney Infinity, which was released in the fourth quarter of the prior year, and the success of the Tsum Tsum and Frozen Free Fall mobile games," Disney's Q3 financial statement reads. "The decrease in product development costs was due to fewer titles in development and the benefit of restructuring activities." The Interactive division is the smallest revenue-generator at Disney again this quarter, outpaced by media networks, parks and resorts, studio entertainment (films), and consumer products. Overall revenue is up 8 percent in Q3 to $12.5 billion. This quarter's results set records at Disney. "We're extremely pleased with these results and we are also thrilled with the spectacular performance of Guardians of the Galaxy, which holds great promise as a new franchise for our company and once again reinforces the tremendous value of Marvel," The Walt Disney Company CEO Robert Iger says. Disney Infinity: Marvel Super Heroes 2.0 Edition hits shelves on September 23 in North America, now with 100 percent more Guardians of the Galaxy. [Image: Disney]
Loki, Green Goblin are Disney Infinity 2.0 Marvel super villains
Oh sure, playing with superhero action figures is plenty fun and we fully endorse it, but what good is a plastic hero without a plastic villain to whack against them every once in awhile? While it's true that this often results in damaged toys, Disney Infinity 2.0: Marvel Super Heroes is removing that particular risk by making Loki, Green Goblin and Ronan the Accuser playable, thus allowing them to trade virtual blows with Marvel heroes in-game. The baddies are bit underrepresented for now, especially with all five of the Guardians of the Galaxy set to lend a hand (or branch, or paw) in the fight against evil, but when has being outnumbered ever stopped a comic book supervillain? Disney Infinity 2.0: Marvel Super Villains Heroes will be available for PlayStation 3, PlayStation 4, Xbox 360, Xbox One, Wii U and PC on September 23. [Image: Disney]
Disney Infinity 2.0 hits North America on September 23.0
Update: Disney Interactive confirmed the game's release dates for Europe. It will hit the continent's mainland on September 18 before arriving in the UK on September 19. The Marvel-stuffed Disney Infinity 2.0 is officially hitting North America's store shelves on September 23, a date that's been rumored for a while. We've confirmed with Disney the release date applies to the PS4, Xbox One. Wii U, Xbox 360 and PS3 versions of the sequel. Disney also confirmed the pre-order program GameStop's been advertising, which bundles in an extra $14-value Disney Infinity 2.0 figure, is available at "top retailers nationwide." We reached out to Disney to find out the figures are available in the promo - UK retailer GAME says players can choose between Nick Fury, Hawkeye and Iron Fist.
Guardians of the Galaxy converge in Disney Infinity 2.0
The Guardians of the Galaxy, Marvel's oddball ensemble leaping from comics to film on August 1, are visiting earth in the form of tiny figures. Disney Interactive is preparing a cosmic Play Set for the upcoming launch of Disney Infinity: Marvel Super Heroes, rooted in the likenesses of Groot (the tree), Gamora (the assassin), Drax (the Destroyer), Rocket Raccoon (you know) and Star-Lord. (Star-Lord, man. Legendary outlaw?) The five space criminals on the cusp of heroism are playable in their own story, joined by a handful of crossover characters from other sets. Iron Man swings by to help out in the battle against Ronan the Accuser, while Nova jets in from the Spider-Man Play Set. Oh, and switch "swings" with "jets" there. Now it's wordplay.
Disney's Castle of Illusion lowers the bridge for Mac this week
It's not a trick, Michael, it's Castle of Illusion Starring Mickey Mouse, and it's out this week on Mac. The 2013 remake of Disney's classic platformer hits the platform on Thursday, July 24, courtesy of Feral Interactive. It's priced $15 in the US and £10 across the pond. In our four-star review, Danny Cowan deemed Castle of Illusion a "very successful remake." In his words, the new incarnation "captures the original's unique style while expanding on it in a meaningful way, without burdening the experience with unnecessary additions or other concessions to the Disney license. Castle of Illusion is blessed with a magic that transcends licensing, and 20 years after its initial release, it's still a damn fine platformer." [Image: Disney]
Marvel returns to Facebook in Avengers Alliance Tactics
Captain America is feeling excited today! :) "Big announcement, guys! So excited! You excited?" Iron Man commented: "Look guys, I know we're getting a continuation to our Facebook game Marvel: Avengers Alliance, but let's not get ahead of ourselves. I mean, what's really new about this one?" Nick Fury commented: "This is Avengers Alliance Tactics. Like before, players will take on the role of a SHIELD agent who sends teams of heroes out to save the day in turn-based battles. However, this time the the map is grid-based, when before it was just teams of heroes on the left side of the screen battling enemies on the right. Now, positioning is a factor, and the 3D graphics mean the 20 heroes available at launch can be seen from more angles." Hawkeye commented: "As long as they get my good side!" Black Widow commented: "So where and when can we play it?" Nick Fury commented: "We're not sure when it'll be released worldwide, but it's coming to Canada first. They say we'll have it 'soon.'" Wolverine likes this. Spider-Man commented: "Hey guys, I know this might not be the best time to ask, but can I be an Avenger now?" Hulk poked Spider-Man. Spider-Man's bones are dust. [Image: Marvel/Disney]
Disney Infinity keeps Interactive division in a whole new profitable world
"To Disney Infinity and beyond!" must be the mantra at Disney Interactive, which enjoyed a second profitable quarter thanks to the game. Disney's Interactive division saw revenues increase 38 percent during the second quarter, with operating income of $14 million, compared to a $54 million loss last year. Disney stated the company's game business grew "driven by the strength of Disney Infinity" and growth in Japanese mobile market. It should be noted that this profit comes at the cost of a high body count, nearly 26 percent of staff and a 50 percent reduction in game development announced in the first quarter. Disney Infinity has sold over 3 million starter packs and "an estimated $500 million in global retail sales to date," according Disney Interactive President Jimmy Pitaro. Disney Infinity 2.0 is expected to launch this September.
Disney Infinity 2.0 out in September, says official webcast
Disney Infinity 2.0: Marvel Super Heroes is soaring onto shelves in September, according to an official weekly webcast. At the 8:28 mark in the video, Executive Producer John Vignocchi says, "Definitely check out all the Avengers that are going to be part of the 2.0 edition of Disney Infinity out this September." Now, pinches of salt at the ready, because official announcements from earlier in the week only noted a fall window, and nothing more specific than that. Also, when Disney's official fan club let slip of the news a bit early, it noted an August launch, not September - that was all swiftly retracted ahead of the announcement proper. Finally, when we reached out to Disney a UK PR representative reiterated a fall window. If September is accurate, however, it means Disney Infinity 2.0 gets the jump on the new Skylanders, which is due to hit North America on October 5 and Europe on October 10. As for Disney's own magic box that turns plastic into gold, Infinity 2.0 calls on characters from Marvel's huge roster of heroes. The new characters include Hulk, Captain America, Thor, Hawkeye, Black Widow, Iron Man, and promises of plenty more besides. The new game also brings expanded worlds for the heroes to fly around in, and a deeper Toy Box to sink time into. All the additions and expansions won't prevent returning players from using characters, power discs and Toy Box saves from the original game, because they'll all be compatible with Infinty 2.0. [Thanks, Tim!]
Disney Infinity 2.0 arrives this August with Marvel heroes [Update]
Update: D23 has since posted a correction, noting it "erroneously reported about the launch of the next chapter of Disney Infinity" and that the information it provided was incorrect. It added that further information on the future of the series will be revealed on April 30. Original story: Disney Infinity 2.0 is slated to launch this August, according to a since-removed snippet from Disney's official fan club site, D23. While the D23 blog entry in question is still available to view, a cached version of it notes that the Disney Infinity follow-up "is coming in August 2014, and a teaser trailer can be viewed at Marvel.com," likely referencing the teaser posted by Marvel earlier this month. "The teaser promises such Marvel-ous additions to the game as familiar Marvel characters, objects, and vehicles-the possibilities are infinite," the site continued. The previous sandbox-style adventure game from Avalanche Software did wonders for Disney Interactive, driving its revenue to $403 million in the first fiscal quarter of 2014. The company also saw losses in Q2 2013 and Q3 2013 to the tune of $54 million and $58 million, respectively. That led to layoffs in its games and Internet divisions in March that numbered 700, at which point Disney said it plans to scale back annual game output "by as much as 50 percent." We've reached out to Disney to confirm the release window for Disney Infinity 2.0 and will update as we learn more. [Image: Disney]
