The ‘Disney Infinity’ game transports real action figures into a virtual world. The new release comes with a stand for the action figures that integrates them into a video game environment. This is an easy way to prevent action figures from collecting dust on a shelf.
Disney Infinity is compatible with a number of consoles, including the Playstation 3, Xbox 360, Nintento Wii and Wii U. The base kit also includes three action figures from popular titles like Toy Story, Monsters University and Pirates of the Caribbean, although there are additional characters that can be purchased outside of this starter kit.
When the action figures are transported into the game, users can customize their virtual "Toy Box" and begin to build their own Disney-themed world. As well, playtime becomes even more collaborative, giving users the ability to share the worlds they create online.
Toy-Integrated Virtual Games
The Disney Infinity Game Brings Action Figures into Video Games
Trend Themes
1. Toy-integrated Gaming - The novelty of bringing tangible toys to life in a virtual world presents an opportunity for gaming companies to create more immersive experiences that are both physical and digital.
2. Customizable Virtual Worlds - The ability to create and share bespoke worlds is a trend that has vast potential for social gaming and immersive storytelling, allowing for more nuanced and personalized interactions within gaming environments.
3. Collaborative Playtime - As users are given the ability to share their Disney-themed worlds, the potential for online collaborations and social gaming between players presents a lucrative opportunity for gaming and social media companies.
Industry Implications
1. Gaming - The integration of tangible toys into digital gaming environments, alongside customizable and shareable digital worlds present opportunities for gaming companies to create novel, engaging experiences that innovate the gaming landscape.
2. Consumer Products - There is potential for toy companies to leverage popular IP to increase sales of both physical and digital products, addressing the issue of reduced engagement with traditional toy play among younger audiences.
3. Social Media - Collaborative playtime in virtual worlds presents potential opportunities for social media networks to incorporate gaming experiences into their platforms and create immersive new ways for users to interact with one another.