Skylanders may be Activision's greatest idea yet

Written by Erik Kubik, kube00 Tuesday, 22 November 2011 06:00

The hottest holiday toy this year isn't a rocking Elmo or a hamster. Nope, the must have toys this year are Skylanders. These are part of the video game Skylanders: Spyro's Adventure. This masterpiece is one part video game, one part toy/collectible, and one part money maker for Activision. This could be the next pokemon-like craze.

Skylanders is an adventure game in which players control 32 different characters each with different elements. They traverse the world battling other monsters, gaining expierence, and collecting treasures. Sounds like a basic RPG to me.

The concept behind the game is this. The game comes with a portal of power, a peripheral that gamers must attach their action figures to which allows them to use them in the game. Experience and player progression are saved onto the action figures, then players can take them over to a friends' house and hop in for some drop in/drop out co-op play.

The initial game comes with the portal of power, the game and 3 figures, Spyro, Gill Grunt and Trigger Happy. To progress in some areas on the game you must have certain characters who have certain elements like fire, wind, etc. This means going out and spending another $8 to get another figure. There are also 3 packs of figures for $20. There is also DLC-like content such as a pirate ship that opens up new levels, has a new character, and gives the player some sort of treasure. Did I mention within game there are small video clips in certain areas showing what certain characters that you don't have can do? Just another way Activision is sublimely telling gamers to go out and buy. All of this at its core is a great marketing concept.

The reviews of the game are great. This is the hot holiday item. Kids and some adults are going nuts for this game. Some stores like Target and Toys R Us have exclusive characters. This is a great way for Activision to make money. The game is coming to iPad, iPhone, and there will be a web version as well. This might become the most successful game of the holiday season.