Skylanders Spyro’s Adventure becomes #1 selling kids’ title for 2011

In Activision Blizzard's Fourth Quarter and Calendar Year 2011 Earnings Report, the company revealed Skylanders Spyro's Adventure was the biggest, new IP launch in the history of Activision.

"In North America and Europe, including accessory packs and figures, Skylanders Spyro's Adventure was the #8 best-selling game in dollars for the fourth quarter of 2011 and #1 selling kids' title in dollars in the calendar year," the report revealed.

Additionally, in North America, including accessory packs and figures, Skylanders Spyro's Adventure was the #10 best-selling title in dollars.

Activision took a unique approach with Skylanders when targeting kids.  Utilizing NFC technology, Skylanders tied in physical toys sold at major retailers to the video game.  While the game comes with 3 character toys that you actually use with the game, to unlock more characters kids must buy the toys.

It was a unique approach that reports say generated $200 million in sales last quarter for Activision.  And it's an approach the company doesn't plan on stopping anytime soon.

Activision said Skylanders is on track to become an "important and sustainable franchise" with the company recently announcing a follow-up to the successful title.

Skylanders Giants "builds upon the breakthrough fundamentals of the first game-merging the physical and virtual realms with an innovative line of cross-platform toy figures that have “brains,” which players everywhere can magically bring to life in the world of Skylands."

This next installment of the franchise is said to feature a "variety of new characters, new challenges, a thrilling new story-driven adventure, and advanced integration across console, handheld, mobile and online."