It's a new year so you know what we need: a new game in each major franchise! Actually, Skylanders Swap Force does sound like an interesting upgrade to Activision's $500 million-grossing collectible toy-video game-thing, introducing characters whose parts can be switched and swapped to customise their powers.
Echoing very similar timing last year, Activision has registered four new Skylanders-related domain names. None of the projects have been detailed, but if it's anything like the reveal of Skylanders Giants, we should see more details soon as we approach the New York Toy Fair.
Activision has another money-maker, just in case that "Call of Duty" thing stops working for them. The publisher has announced that one of its other tentpole franchises has surpassed half a billion dollars of sales in the US. Including sales of accessory packs and figures, the two Skylanders games have generated over $500 million. According to Activision, that means Skylanders makes more money than Star Wars toys.
Activision has tried its hand at an iOS Skylanders game before, with Skylanders Cloud Patrol. But that game didn't take advantage of the franchise's unique physical figurines. That's set to change in November, with two new iOS titles that will use their own (optional) portal accessory.
Nintendo may be launching the Wii U, but it hasn't forgotten the system's predecessor. The company is offering two new bundles for the system this year, one featuring Just Dance 4 and the other Skylanders Giants. In both cases, the bundles offer a significant discount over buying the games separately. The bundles go on sale November 4.
Activision's Q2 2012 results were released today, boasting positive results and an optimistic outlook for the rest of the fiscal year. The quarter ending on June 30 saw non-GAAP revenues of $1.05 billion, an improvement over its forecast of $950 million. It credited the success of Skylanders: Spyro's Adventure and Diablo 3 for the results, even as it acknowledged some shifting habits in its other big franchises.
Activision announced Skylanders Giants today, following rumors sparked by domain registrations. The new game will add twenty more figures to the line-up, including the titular "Giants" and figures that light up. Figures from the existing Skylanders: Spyro's Adventure will be compatible as well.
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