Skylanders Spyro's Adventure, Activision's smash hit game that combines collectible "toys" with a digital fantasy world, was the #1 best-selling console and handheld video game between January and April 30, 2012 based on revenue inclusive of toys and accessories, according to the NPD Group, GfK, Charttrack and Activision internal estimates.
"This achievement is incredibly gratifying, and quite an honor for everyone at Activision and our team at Toys for Bob," said Activision Publishing CEO Eric Hirshberg. "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."
Skylanders Spyro's Adventure launched to great acclaim and record-setting sales in October 2011. Now, several months later, it is still reigning supreme due to its genius format of using NFC technology to incorporate unique toy figurines as playable characters in this fantasy world. It really created an unprecedented medium for cross-platform, communal play.
Here's how it works: players take the physical toys and place them on the Portal of Power peripheral. Once on there, the toys come to life in the game allowing players to play as that character. The toys are easily interchangeable allowing players to switch characters on the fly. This concept was universally acclaimed after launch and Skylanders Spyro's Adventure became the #1 best-selling kid's video game worldwide in 2011 based on revenue. It has also been the best-performing new children's video game IP in North America in overall single-year revenue.
Now that Skylanders is no longer a gamble, Activision is preparing to unveil the console sequel, Skylanders Giants, which will have its coming-out part at E33 next week. Skylanders Giants will introduce more than 20 new figures and a "raft of technological and gameplay innovations". Skylanders Giants is set to launch this October 2012.
