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'Skylanders' takes on Disney Infinity with its new toy-to-tablet starter pack
If you've heard of Skylanders, we're going to guess either you're a kid, you're a parent with kids or you know someone with kids. And if you do, we're going to guess you probably already know about Skylanders Trap Team, the latest game to come out of the Skylanders franchise that's set to debut later this year. As a brief reminder, the game essentially comes with a device that you can use as a "portal" to transform real-world figurines into in-game characters. The hook with the Trap Team version is that you can use one of eight "Traptanium traps" to "trap" enemies in the game -- you do so by inserting a tiny plastic dongle into a slot on the aforementioned portal. You can then play as the trapped enemy if you like, switching between it and your main character as you progress in the game. Which is all well and good if you're content with playing with the game on a console. But what if you don't have one? Or what if your kid's preferred device for gaming is a tablet? Well, fortunately for you, the team behind Skylanders has just announced that it'll be producing Skylanders Trap Team for the tablet as well. Activision and Toys for Bob, the studio behind Skylanders, claims that this is the first time in franchise history that it's bringing the full AAA console experience to the smaller handheld screen. Indeed, Paul Reiche, the head of Toys for Bob, tells us that the tablet version of Skylanders Trap Team is "pixel for pixel" the same as the one for the 360.
Wii version of Skylanders Trap Team includes Wii U digital copy
The Wii edition of Skylanders Trap Team will include a download code for the Wii U version of the game, the series' official Twitter account revealed this week. Fans can pre-order the Wii version (seen above) for $75, which includes a Traptanium portal, two traps, two Skylanders figures and, well, two copies of the game. Activision announced Trap Team in April as a follow-up to last year's successful Skylanders game, Swap Force. Developed by Skylanders Giants lead studio Toys For Bob, Trap Team will launch on October 5 for Xbox One, PS4, Xbox 360, PS3, Wii, Wii U and 3DS. The game has players trapping 40 different enemies into trap crystal, turning them into usable characters. Trap Team will usher in 60 new Skylanders as well, including a new class known as the Trapmasters. The developer showed off a Dark Edition of the game at the San Diego Comic-Con event this week. [Image: Activision]
Skylanders Trap Team Dark Edition debuting at Comic-Con this week
Developer Toys for Bob will showcase the upcoming figure-powered action game Skylanders Trap Team this week at San Diego Comic-Con, giving showgoers an early look at the collector-oriented Dark Edition prior to its launch in October. Skylanders Trap Team's Dark Edition is a special starter bundle that features the Ultimate Kaos Trap, an accessory that allows players to capture and control series antagonist Kaos for the first time. The package also includes two additional trap accessories, a redesigned Portal of Power, a poster, sticker sheets, trading cards, and exclusive black-and-silver variants of new characters Snap Shot, Wildfire and Food Fight. Toys for Bob will additionally host a Skylanders-themed panel discussion and costume contest starting on July 24. The Skylanders Trap Team Dark Edition retails at $99.99, and is set to launch on October 5 for the Xbox 360, Xbox One, PlayStation 4, PS3, Nintendo Wii, Wii U, and 3DS platforms. [Image: Activision Blizzard]
Skylanders enters breakfast cereal territory
Skylanders-branded cereal and fruit snacks may soon stock the shelves at your local grocery store thanks to the franchise's newly expanded licensing business, Games Industry reports. Publisher Activision Blizzard announced at the Licensing Expo 2014 that it has partnered with 175 companies worldwide in licensing its Skylanders franchise for officially sanctioned merchandise. Activision's latest partnerships with General Mills, IDW, and Crayola will soon introduce Skylanders-branded merchandise like magazines, coloring books, and snacks. The next entry in the multiplatform Skylanders franchise, Skylanders Trap Team, will premiere on October 5 in North America, introducing outlandish new characters like tomato-spewing artichokes and rockstar werewolves. [Image: Activision Blizzard]
Toys For Bob turns 25, giving away 25 rare Skylanders figures
Toys For Bob, the company behind the Skylanders series of video games, has marked its 25th anniversary, and to celebrate, the company announced via Twitter that it is giving away 25 rare Skylanders figures. To enter the sweepstakes, participants need to first follow the Skylanders Twitter account, which will tweet a call to action every day until May 24. Those seeking a chance to win have until 11:59 Pacific to retweet that day's call to action and include the hashtag #TFB25. It's not clear which Skylanders figures Toys For Bob is offering as part of the sweepstakes - the official rules don't name any particular figures, and it's unknown if the company would give away figures from Skylanders: Swap Force, since they didn't develop that particular Skylanders game. Still, some toys are better than no toys, and you don't even need to be named Bob to get them. Might not hurt your chances, though. [Image: Activision]
Nintendo plans new NFC figures and games in a bid to rescue the Wii U
We hope you liked Skylanders, because Nintendo is apparently setting up its own range of toys to accidentally tread under foot. At the company's financial briefing this morning, it outlined a Mario figure that could be used across multiple titles, somehow tying into game saves too. It's not the first for Nintendo's console: Pokemon Scramble connected NFC toys to the Wii U last year. Interestingly, Nintendo had apparently declined exclusivity on Activision's lucrative Skylanders series. These physical characters and games, grouped together as NFP (which apparently stands for both NFC Featured Platform and Nintendo Figurine Platform), will debut at this year's E3, alongside a new IR reader for 3DSes that will make the toys compatible across both the handheld and the Wii. With 3DS sales currently totaling 43 million, and the Wii U struggling to top six million, it's probably a wise business decision.
Joystiq Weekly: VR walker Omni, Hitman Go review, Mario Golf's season pass and more
Welcome to Joystiq Weekly, a "too long; didn't read" of each week's biggest stories, reviews and original content. Each category's top story is introduced with a reactionary gif, because moving pictures aren't just for The Daily Prophet. Okay, we have to admit that the Omni, a motion-tracking platform that associates real-life walking with in-game movement, is kind of ridiculous, right? Yeah, we do and we will - as long as we can also acknowledge how interesting the concept is. Sprinting in reality to hurry down a virtual hallway probably won't be as quick as strafing with arrow keys, but the tradeoff sounds worthwhile. Pairing Omni with the Oculus Rift would bring us closer to the hectic deathmatch action of games like Halo 4, but we could also do rhythmic leaps through stages of Runner 2 or wildly-dangerous imitations of Mirror's Edge's parkour. Hmm ... maybe Omni should be bundled with life insurance. We can ponder the benefits of treadmill controllers together, but if your brain needs a break from all that, there's plenty of gears to switch to after the break. Between a glimpse of the new Ace Attorney game, reviews for NES Remix 2 and Hitman Go, and an exploration of morality systems like those found in the Infamous and Mass Effect series, there's lots to think about beyond how physical our video games could be in a few decades.
One of Activision's top moneymakers gets a new entry in Skylanders: Trap Team
Like taxes, iPhones and, well, Madden, you can count on a new Skylanders game every year. If you're unfamiliar with the franchise, that may just be a symptom of not being around kids -- the toy / video game series is a dominant force in the kids gaming market, sharing responsibility with biggies like Call of Duty and World of Warcraft for bringing in 80 percent of Activision's earnings in 2013. Each new entry in the game series comes with a new physical device for reading toy figurines; when said figurines are placed on the device (called a "portal"), they're transported into the game world and playable in-game. Between the figures ($5 - $7 apiece, on average) and the games (anywhere from $7 to $60), it's easy to understand why the franchise is so profitable. Thankfully, the franchise is also lauded by most critics as a pretty decent game, too. The next entry, Skylanders: Trap Team, arrives this October and it's the largest game in the franchise to date.
Joystiq Weekly: Nintendo foibles, LGBT gaming cons and crash-prone dirtbikes
Welcome to the Joystiq Weekly wrap-up where we present some of the best stories and biggest gaming news from our sister-publication.
Joystiq Weekly: NPD sales data, Trials: Fusion review, A Realm Reborn tips and more
Welcome to Joystiq Weekly, a "too long; didn't read" of each week's biggest stories, reviews and original content. Each category's top story is introduced with a reactionary gif, because moving pictures aren't just for The Daily Prophet. It seems like there are two brands of Trials riders - those who try the series and bail, seeing it for the inevitable, rage-induced heart attack it is, and those that persevere and conquer every track. We're not sure where we fit just yet - some of Trials Fusion's stages give us flashbacks to Super Meat Boy, and our patience is finite. Still, the triumph in each small victory reminds us that we can get the best of gravity, that we can guide motorbikes over ridiculous terrain with the best of them ... until we reach the next stage and the cycle of emotions renews. We've got plenty of resources for anyone that needs a sanity break from Fusion, though! You can brush up on this month's NPD data, read our verdict on Atlus' baby-making RPG, Conception 2: Children of the Seven Stars, or gain some insight on what's next for GaymerX's future. All that and more is laid out in tidy little bulletpoints for you after the break!
McDonald's offers eight exclusive Skylanders toys with Happy Meals
Starting this Friday, McDonald's will bundle exclusive Skylanders Swap Force figurines with Happy Meal purchases, in the restaurant's latest ploy to keep kids occupied while they stuff their faces with Chicken McNuggets. Featured characters include Chompy, Eruptor, Free Ranger, Freeze Blade, Magna Charge, Prism Break, Rattle Shake and Wash Buckler. Eligible purchases also include coupons giving $10 off of the multiplatform Skylanders Swap Force Starter Pack and $1 off individual character figures. The week-long promotion extends through April 4. Bear in mind, however, that Happy Meals-bundled characters are just toys, and won't summon in-game Skylanders like retail figures will. Still, if you've ever wanted a Chompy figure to display alongside your Skylanders collection, you'll want to hop in your car on Friday and order up some Happy Meals. Hint: tell the drive-thru guy that you have eight kids waiting at home for their dinner if you're trying to order a full set. He might not believe you, but he probably won't feel like you're worth an argument. [Image: Activision/McDonald's]
Next Skylanders game coming from series creator Toys for Bob
A new Skylanders game is in development at Toys for Bob, which should come as a pleasant surprise to all those dusty figurines you've been neglecting on your shelf. Skylanders get lonely too. Toys for Bob, acquired by Activision in 2005, created the Skylanders series and took charge of development on the inaugural game as well as its sequel, Skylanders: Giants. As of December 31, 2013, the Skylanders series has grossed $2 billion total worldwide. Vicarious Visions developed the most recent game, Skylanders: Swap Force. Vicarious Visions also spearheaded the 3DS port of Skylanders: Spyro's Adventure and the Wii U version of Skylanders: Giants. [Image: Activision]
Skylanders series sells $2 billion worldwide
Activision announced today as part of its quarterly financial report that the Skylanders series has grossed more than $2 billion worldwide across all available platforms, as of December 31 last year. To date, Activision has sold approximately 175 million Skylanders toys, which players can collect and summon in-game as playable characters. The latest series entry, Skylanders Swap Force, debuted in October. Activision revealed in August last year that the Skylanders series passed $1.5 billion in retail sales since the franchise's launch in 2011. Over 100 million toys were sold by the end of 2012. [Image: Activision]
Final two Skylanders: Swap Force series 3 figures released
Rubble Rouser and Stink Bomb, the final two Skylanders Swap Force figurines in the third series, have been released and can be found at your local Toys R Us store in the US, Kotaku reports. You may already have a shoebox full of Swap Force characters, but these two characters are of particular interest, as they allow access to the final content in Skylanders: Swap Force. Rubble Rouser, the first earth elemental Skylanders: Swap Force character, is necessary for bypassing certain gates requiring a rocky touch. If a masked gunman is forcing you to choose between Rubble Rouser and Stink Bomb, it's worth knowing that Rubble Rouser's extra content can be accessed during co-op games – those dual-element gates can also be opened by two separate Skylanders playing together. Stink Bomb, on the other hand, is the first character able to unlock Swap Force's sneaking mini-games. If players want to fully experience absolutely everything Skylanders: Swap Force has to offer, Stink Bomb is a must-have character. Skylanders: Swap Force is the latest entry in Activision's toy-driven action platformer series, which converts real-life toys into in-game characters by use of a special portal. Swap Force is the first entry to have figurines with a top piece and bottom piece that can be combined with other Swap Force characters to create new combinations.
Skylanders Collection Vault tracks your toys, shares with friends
Activision has a free Skylanders Collection Vault iOS app that allows Skylanders fans to manage their collection of figurines and share and compare with their friends, browse images and videos from the Skylanders universe and also unlock certain special content. You can also make wish lists for the figurines you're missing and share with friends or family members who may be looking for a subtle hint for holiday gift ideas. The app does not support iPhone 3GS, iPod3 or older devices, and is compatible with Skylanders, Skylanders Giants and the latest entry in the series, Skylanders: Swap Force. In our review of Swap Force, we called the game "fun from start to finish" and said it "outclasses its predecessors in depth and breadth of content."
Skylanders: Swap Force swaps next-gen release date, out tomorrow
Skylanders: Swap Force will launch tomorrow on PS4 and Xbox One. The Activision-published action game was initially expected to arrive at each console's launch, November 15 for PS4 and November 22 for Xbox One, respectively. We were impressed with the current-generation version of the game, as our review noted that the game's "main quest is straightforward but challenging on the higher difficulty levels, and its optional content will keep older fans hunting for secrets long after the credits roll." It's a safe bet that the toy-wrangling game will operate similarly on PS4 and Xbox One.
Skylanders Swap Force Wii U bundle assembling in November
Nintendo has another Wii U bundle slated to arrive in November: a Skylanders Swap Force pack. Priced at $299, the bundle includes a white Wii U basic system with 8 GB of storage space, a copy of Nintendo Land and a Skylanders Swap Force starter pack. Nintendo Land was recently dropped in price to $30 in addition to being replaced in Nintendo's Wii U Deluxe set with New Super Mario Bros. U and New Super Luigi U, another $299 bundle. The Skylanders Swap Force starter pack includes a copy of the game, three Skylanders figures, a "portal of power" dock and collectible stickers, trading cards and a poster. A stand-alone starter pack can currently be purchased for $130 on Amazon. The Skylanders Swap Force Wii U holiday bundle will be available on November 15.
Activision: Skylanders Giants remains No. 1 in US and Europe [Update]
In dollars, Skylanders Giants is still the No. 1 selling console and handheld game in the US and Europe – including its toys and accessories, Activision reports. Activision notes that Giants sold more than 500,000 Starter Packs globally in its first two weeks last year, and the Skylanders franchise has generated more than $1.5 billion worldwide in its lifetime. Activision expects Skylanders figures to outsell the top action figures in the US and Europe during the first eight months of 2013. A new competitor to Skylanders, Disney Infinity, sold 294,000 units in its first two weeks in the US alone and was ranked No. 3 in overall sales for August, according to the NPD. Skylanders Swap Force, the third full Skylanders game, launches in October for Wii, Wii U, Xbox 360, PS3 and 3DS, and later this year for Xbox One and PS4. Update: Activision's two-week sales number of 500,000 refers to global sales, while Disney Infinty's numbers cover the US only. Activision notes Skylanders Giants "remains the biggest kids' videogame launch in the last 12 months in the US and Europe," based on revenue and according in part to Activision internal estimates. The above story has been edited for clarity.
Target offering magic cards with Skylanders Swap Force pre-order
Activision has announced that Target will be passing out magic cards with pre-orders for the upcoming Skylanders Swap Force. Portalmasters who pre-order the game at Target will get an exclusive physical trading card that grants upgrades in the game when placed on the new Portal of Power. Swap Force's marquee feature is that it uses characters with two parts that can be mixed and matched, but these specially branded trading cards will work as well. There's also an ongoing deal (at all retailers) that grants a free "Lightcore Hex" Skylanders Giants character when you pre-order a starter pack. This Giants character, like all of the other characters in the series so far, can also be used to play through Swap Force content. If you're a parent of younger children, it's also something else for you to trip over.
Big updates coming for Skylanders, Real Racing 3
We've got news of two major updates coming to high profile iOS games recently. First up, Activision's Skylanders: Lost Islands (the iOS town-building title based on the very popular toy/game series) just got a new substantial update, featuring Facebook integration, and lots of new companions to place in your town. There's also a new feature called "#1 fans," which will have players finding little extra creatures to add power to their current Skylanders. If you have a little fan in your house, make sure to update the free app soon. And second, EA's Real Racing 3 is getting a big update as well, with new tracks, new cars, and an official version of the Dubai Autodrome, a real racing location over in Dubai. That update, just like the game itself, will also be free, and should be out soon. Both of these games are already very popular, and these updates should make them even more so.
