Toys-to-life

Toys-to-life is a genre of video game using physical figurines or action figures to interact within the game.^[1] These toys use a near field communication (NFC) 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.^[2] 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.^[3]

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.

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.

Skylanders (2011-present)

Skylanders (2011) is one of the most successful early games of this genre.^[2][3] Since its first release, each year has seen a new installment in the series, totaling five as of 2015. Each game has its own portal device and a different take on the premise than past games. Most of the Skylanders figurines are compatible with all of the different games.

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.^[4]

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.

Amiibo (2014-present)

Amiibo collection

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.

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. 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.

References

External links

• Toys-to-life: what's coming next