Disney pulls a Skylanders, unveils Disney Infinity
Yuliya Geikhman January 16, 2013 - 1:59 amDisney Infinity lets you collect and interact with some well-known Disney character figurines, no imagination necessary.
Activision hit on something big with Skylanders, creating a game that keeps players engaged (and paying) by giving them lots and lots of toys to buy. Disney is now joining the party with the announcement of Disney Infinity. Infinity will work in the same way as Skylanders, needing toys (sorry – action figures) and a “toy box” base to give players access to different worlds. Disney fans will recognize plenty of familiar faces, like Captain Jack Sparrow, the cast of the Incredibles, and Sully from Monsters Inc.
Disney Infinity will let players interact with the worlds of their characters, but it will also let you customize and create your own worlds that can then be shared with others (with some heavy moderation, of course). All the different characters will have worlds complement them with different playing styles, from sword-fighting to straight up action. The game will be as cross-platform as you can get, coming out this summer for practically every current console except the Vita.
While Disney is obviously following Skylanders’ example, Activision is not too concerned about the competition. In a statement issued to Forbes, VP of consumer marketing John Coyne said that although Activision is “flattered that one of the leading family entertainment companies is joining our toys to life category,” Skylanders is “well positioned to continue leading the category.”
Check out the trailer for Disney Infinity below, while I quietly remind you that Disney owns Marvel and Star Wars.
Comments (1)
The copycat business model is getting ridiculous and this is one of the worst examples, to me. What Activision came up with is, in my opinion, a genuinely good idea, and Disney is straight ripping off the idea to make a buck.
People will be attracted to the Disney brand, but this seems too blatant, in my eyes.