Neha Patil (Editor)

Toys to life

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Toys-to-life is a genre of video game using physical figurines or action figures to interact within the game. These toys use a near field communication (NFC), radio frequency identification (RFID), or image recognition data protocol to determine the individual figurine's proximity, and save a player's progress data to a storage medium located within that piece. It is one of the most lucrative branches of the video game industry, with the Skylanders franchise alone selling more than $3 billion worth over the course of four years.

Contents

Toys-to-life games generally use a third-person camera view, and have in-game power-up figurines. Most toys-to-life games are based on E-E10+ content, oriented to users aged 5 through 12 years. Toys-to-life games generally have an accompanying portal device that is used to "transport" the figurine's character and associated player data into the game. The figurines can be transferred from each game in the franchise, possibly resetting with every different installment.

Skylanders (2011-present)

Skylanders (2011) is one of the most successful early games of this genre. Since its first release, each year has seen a new installment in the series, totaling six as of 2016. Each game has its own portal device and a different take on the premise than past games. They star the Skylander heroes and the evil antagonist Kaos. All current figurines are compatible with its most recent installment, Skylanders: Imaginators (2016).

Amiibo (2014-present)

Amiibo (2014) is a toys-to-life platform primarily based on Nintendo properties and characters, as well some third-party non-Nintendo characters like Pac-Man, Mega Man, Sonic the Hedgehog, Ryu and Cloud Strife that have appeared in Nintendo games. Launching in 2014 with figurines, Nintendo has since also deployed Amiibo-compatible playing cards, with plans for other media in the future. Unlike most other toys-to-life series, Amiibo does not have games dedicated exclusively to the use of the toys, but the characters are used throughout various Nintendo games. Amiibo toys can save players' progress data and information per game. They have even released plush toy Amiibo for Yoshi's Woolly World and Poochy & Yoshi's Woolly World, as well as cards for Animal Crossing: Happy Home Designer and Mario Sports Superstars.

Lego Dimensions (2015-present)

Lego Dimensions (2015) is a toys-to-life game using the Lego franchise characters, and various Warner Brothers franchises, as well as numerous characters from other franchises including Sonic the Hedgehog. Players must physically assemble some figurines by unlocking the levels in-game, which shows them the building instructions on-screen. Almost all of the figurines, and the base portal, have to be built by the player. There are also alternate portal builds.

Sick Bricks

A game by Spin Master with Lego-compatible figurines and builds.

U.B. Funkeys (2007-2010)

U.B. Funkeys (2007) was the first ever game of this genre. It was discontinued in 2010 and was worked on by Mattel, Arkadium, and Radica. It had multiple updates before it was discontinued. Almost every update had a portal, also referred to as a 'Hub', with the same mold but a different pattern. The Hubs were a special USB port to plug into your computer. The characters were the Funkeys, which each unlocked new in-game areas.

Disney Infinity (2013-2016)

Disney Infinity (2013) is a toys-to-life series based on Disney characters and franchises. Since the initial game's release in 2013, there have been three installments. Disney Infinity is the first game, focusing on classic Disney and Pixar characters. In 2014, Disney Infinity: Marvel Super Heroes was released as the second game, which focuses on Marvel characters and properties. The third game, 2015's Disney Infinity 3.0, centers on the Star Wars franchise. All Disney Infinity figurines can interact with various games in the series. The line concluded in 2016, when Disney announced that production of the series had officially ceased, and that there would be no more future titles, yet it is revealed there was going to be a Disney Infinity 4.0.

Disney Playmation (2015-2016)

Disney Playmation was an longer range (~10m) networked interactive role-playing game with wearable toys that supported BLE communications with phone apps. The product was sold in collaboration with Hasbro. The single-product story line delivered was based on the Marvel Iron Man universe. Other universes announced before the produced was terminated included Star Wars and Frozen.

"Lightseekers Awakening"

A project fully funded on Kickstarter, this game is by PlayFusion, with toys produced by Tomy, it features smart action figures with interchangeable weapons and flight packs.

"Infinite Arms"

A game created by Jumo, and a production by famous video game developers and toy makers, featuring the MetaMod mechs and their Armament weapons.

References

Toys-to-life Wikipedia