Skylanders... Makin' it Big
Company: Activision Product: Skylanders Spyro's Adventure
When Skylanders Spyro's Adventure launched, it received a warm reception and record-setting sales in October 2011. Not only that, Activision has just announced that Skylanders Spyro's Adventure was, in fact, the #1 best-selling console and handheld video game title between January and April this year worldwide*.
"This achievement is incredibly gratifying, and quite an honor for everyone at Activision and our team at Toys for Bob. It was a simple idea really—bridging the gap between real and virtual play—but one that required tremendous creativity to execute and communicate to our audience. It spawned a new category and a new platform for play in an overwhelmingly challenging marketplace. We couldn't be happier that there is an ever-growing universe of Portal Masters out there." - Eric Hirshberg, CEO of Activision Publishing
Skylanders Spyro's Adventure appeals to the collectors among gamers, with its unique and collectible "toys with brains." Additionally, these toys provide the ability to have cross-platform gameplay without the requirement of Internet access. When a gamer goes over to a friend's house and plays Skylanders on their friend's console (regardless of which console it is), they can take their Skylanders characters with them, carrying along with them the in-game experience, gold and levels already gained with that character, and use them on the friend's system. When they return, the characters will retain any additional progress made to that character.
This novel concept was universally acclaimed after its launch, becoming the #1 best-selling kid's video game title worldwide in 2011**. Since claiming the top overall sales spot for 2012, the game has eclipsed the usual constraints of genre and demographics, building a great bit of anticipation for their upcoming sequel, Skylanders Giants. At their booth at E3 2012, Activision will be showing off this upcoming sequel. Giants will introduce more than 20 new figures, as well as new technological and gameplay innovations that create even more opportunities for collaborative and competitive play. Check back next week during our coverage of E3 2012 for more in-depth information on Skylanders Giants. Skylanders Giants is slated to launch this October. *based on revenue inclusive of toys and accessories, according to The NPD Group, GfK, Charttrack and Activision internal estimates. (per Activision's press released) **based on revenue inclusive of toys and accessories and the best-performing new children's video game IP in North America in overall single-year revenue, inclusive of software and accessories since NPD began tracking the category in 1998 (per Activision's press released)
-Geck0, GameVortex Communications AKA Robert Perkins
Related Links: Game Vortex's Skylanders Coverage Game Vortex's E3 2012 Coverage
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