Report: Disney Infinity is ambitious cross-character sandbox

A report claims that "Disney Interactive" is a large open-world sandbox game that brings together various Disney properties, to debut next January.

2

Disney Interactive is reportedly planning an ambitious open-world game that will cross various popular Disney and Pixar characters. "Disney Infinity" is said to be an open-world sandbox game in the vein of Minecraft that will allow the company to constantly expand itself by releasing new sets of characters, settings, and building blocks.

Polygon reports that leaked images and videos have detailed the game, which is planned for consoles, iPad, and Android phones. The "gaming initiative" is being developed by Avalanche Software, which made Toy Story 3. That game, not coincidentally, included a sandbox mode that seems to share a lot in common with this game.

The report notes that much of its information comes from older assets, so the game may have changed since then. But what they did see includes racing, hoofing it, and flying. Characters can utilize "toys" like ray guns, tanks, a "sticky hand" toy similar to the Just Cause 2 grappling hook, and a slingshot to hit explosives that knock a building down. Some characters will be able to drive or ride mounts and others won't. The characters skills seem very differentiated tallying around 30 in all, such as invisibility, super damage, and ranged combat.

The game is said to include a story campaign, and multiplayer modes like soccer, king of the hill, or capture the flag, but it's more focused on being a sandbox to let players make their own game styles. Virtual playsets will be themed after major Disney properties, including matching backdrops and action figures. The Rumpus Room, meanwhile, is a blank slate for players to create with any of the tools from the playsets.

It's being stressed as a "gaming initiative" because Disney apparently plans to keep iterating on it for quite a while, constantly expanding it with new characters. The company has tried cross-branding with Disney Universe, but that game didn't feature the constant expansion plans or sandbox element. According to the report, the game is set to be debuted next January with a Hollywood event that will feature animation studios CCO John Lasseter and Disney Interactive co-president John Pleasants.

Editor-In-Chief
From The Chatty
Hello, Meet Lola