darkSpyro

I'm fairly new to posting to this site but I've been lurking for quite some time, so here's my 2 cents! I worked in retail for over 16 years and you shouldn't worry cause Skylanders is being moved to a new location. Facts are there really isn't anything new coming so you work with what you got or what's incoming. If you got peg warmers just move them for the time being to a new location till new merch arrives. Let something else be the new 'it' item till your new product arrives, and share the spotlight.

When it's all said and done guess who's coming back, old reliable with something new to show, and remember all those peg warmers, guess what, you've now got new ppl who are now getting into the craze that never were able to see the potential of the old stuff but now need them all. You need to start worrying when you see the dreaded clearance sticker or placed in the bargain bin.

Give it till next summer when E3 hits again and see if any improvements are made to either game or if they're even releasing a follow up. To make assumptions about 'the end is near' is just crazy! Both games have at least a years worth of product coming and are being released right before the 4th quarter of yearly sales. By February numbers start coming in on how each game does and well have a clearer picture of the fate of each game.

Quote: Darthfaker

I'm fairly new to posting to this site but I've been lurking for quite some time, so here's my 2 cents! I worked in retail for over 16 years and you shouldn't worry cause Skylanders is being moved to a new location. Facts are there really isn't anything new coming so you work with what you got or what's incoming. If you got peg warmers just move them for the time being to a new location till new merch arrives. Let something else be the new 'it' item till your new product arrives, and share the spotlight.

When it's all said and done guess who's coming back, old reliable with something new to show, and remember all those peg warmers, guess what, you've now got new ppl who are now getting into the craze that never were able to see the potential of the old stuff but now need them all. You need to start worrying when you see the dreaded clearance sticker or placed in the bargain bin.

Give it till next summer when E3 hits again and see if any improvements are made to either game or if they're even releasing a follow up. To make assumptions about 'the end is near' is just crazy! Both games have at least a years worth of product coming and are being released right before the 4th quarter of yearly sales. By February numbers start coming in on how each game does and well have a clearer picture of the fate of each game.

I agree with Darth here.. I worked part time before in a retail industry altough not long but enough to help me understand how they operate. In retail empty space is simply not acceptable and DI having skylanders spot is not outrageous since skylanders is practically done with the waves.. But only when u see both products is being displayed and u see one products have a huge space compare to the other then only u can "assume". But even that is not enough to safely assume.. U need to wait the facts from the upcoming exhibition, for example
E3 in the states.

But having all these said i understand where the statement coming from a huge skylanders fan, i'm a big fan myself but having worries too early is just not worth it so let us be amazed with activision and see how will they find ways too keep us amused in the franchise

Darthfaker ... excellent post.

Its refreshing to heat several posts where people understand retail and that Activision is way ahead of all the goings on...lol they know what they are doing waaaay in advance. There is a plan

Of course the shelves are empty now...Giants came out nearly a year ago. Stores aren't going to go crazy stocking Giants figures with Swap Force right around the corner...

I went to my local walmart... found a lots of skylanders... but then, I saw in the wii remote section... Disney infinity... coming in 3 days... but it didin't takes a lot of place... it has 1 section and skylanders has 4... 1 for starter pack, 1 for little figure + other stuff,
1 for the triple + giants AND 1 for the preorder cards... So I don't think that in canada, infinity will be the best figure sellers... Skylanders still better for now in canada!

Quote: Kung Fu Man

The problem is multi-fold really:
-Some stores can't get them, others are getting tons people already have. This one's pretty well explained above, but the distribution really does suck on these.

There you have it. They can't ship stuff people want, they just send the same carp no one needs. We warned them over the past six months; time to pay the piper.

The end is neigh is a bit premature. But if skylanders lose, it's because they didn't put in enough content. They've got toys and variants pegged...now keep us playing the game so it's always in the forefront.

So skimming through this post.....

A couple of things that people have pointed out are correct. Think of it as new car sales. The new car year starts in October, so what are they doing now. Trying to clear the old stock the 2013's. Infinity will have the spotlight for a few months. Let them have it. Skylanders will get it back in October.


The big thing that I don't get it is that people wanted all of the figures out months ago. Now, that they are out (mostly) people are complaining that nothing is coming out. Things are drying up. Makes no sense. As I said months ago people would complain when we had this going on. So, what do you want? Waves? Or all at once?

As far as the distribution it will never be perfect. Bigger areas that move more will get more stuff. However, living in a small area has it's advantages too. We have had a S2 Drobot sitting at my local wal-mart for weeks. Yet we are still moving Skylanders. It would make no sense for Acti to send a box of 12 with the same character. It would be worse that what we have now. Most stores don't have a place to store 24 boxes of characters. So to send a box with just one or two or three different guys in it is not savvy or makes any business sense. I think what Acti is doing while not perfect is probably the best in what they can come up with. I am almost willing to bet that Disney will do the same thing with their guys.

One last thing... GM you know I don't have a problem with you at all. You collect these just like I do. However, from what I have seen you end up getting at least four of each character out. Now, I don't have a problem with that at all. However, in a way you (and the rest of us) make it harder for the average person to find these. I understand you get them for your kids so they can each play them, I get that. However, buying 4 of the Slam Bam when they only came/come 1 to a box that makes it harder for the average person to find these. Not trying to pick a fight just pointing things out and calling them how I see them.

Skylanders has one advantage over Infinity-
Innovation
Skylanders stepped in to a brave new world. They are the rulers of the pack.
I remember reading one of Bionicle's posts and he quite reasonably said, Infinity's main attraction is it's toy box mode and after a few months, no one will care for it. Activision are taking a gamble with all this stock stuff but they are going to make sure that their shipments for Swap Force flood stores up to their ankles. Anyway, Disney have things to learn. With SSA, around Christmas, anything on the shelves disappeared as soon as it got put up. It was impossible to find anything till Mid-Spring. Yet with Giants, they rode through the festive period on a wave of stock.
Activision has nothing to fear on Disney's part because the have Originality. Pick your side...

only advice i have is to buy it when you see it next time. dont wait for the price to fall or a variant of that or this because you dont want that or this other... next time you may not be able to find it but evilbay... just saying.

Quote: Bazinga

So skimming through this post.....

A couple of things that people have pointed out are correct. Think of it as new car sales. The new car year starts in October, so what are they doing now. Trying to clear the old stock the 2013's. Infinity will have the spotlight for a few months. Let them have it. Skylanders will get it back in October.


The big thing that I don't get it is that people wanted all of the figures out months ago. Now, that they are out (mostly) people are complaining that nothing is coming out. Things are drying up. Makes no sense. As I said months ago people would complain when we had this going on. So, what do you want? Waves? Or all at once?

As far as the distribution it will never be perfect. Bigger areas that move more will get more stuff. However, living in a small area has it's advantages too. We have had a S2 Drobot sitting at my local wal-mart for weeks. Yet we are still moving Skylanders. It would make no sense for Acti to send a box of 12 with the same character. It would be worse that what we have now. Most stores don't have a place to store 24 boxes of characters. So to send a box with just one or two or three different guys in it is not savvy or makes any business sense. I think what Acti is doing while not perfect is probably the best in what they can come up with. I am almost willing to bet that Disney will do the same thing with their guys.

One last thing... GM you know I don't have a problem with you at all. You collect these just like I do. However, from what I have seen you end up getting at least four of each character out. Now, I don't have a problem with that at all. However, in a way you (and the rest of us) make it harder for the average person to find these. I understand you get them for your kids so they can each play them, I get that. However, buying 4 of the Slam Bam when they only came/come 1 to a box that makes it harder for the average person to find these. Not trying to pick a fight just pointing things out and calling them how I see them.

Solid post, Bazinga.
Your analogy to the car retailer's fiscal year is appropriate, and helps illustrate the point I made earlier in the thread. Nicely done.
I get your point about the distribution/boxes/waves, and how it's very appropriate for less-densely populated areas with smaller stores and/or stockrooms. However, I do still also believe that sending boxes of 12 of the same character should be considered as a better option for the urban areas where the stores and stockrooms CAN handle 24 boxes of different characters. I don't think it should have to be only one way or the other ... why not have both options, and distribute to the stores using the better option for each store's population/volume?
I don't think you should have to sugar-coat your criticism of GameMaster. He's a solid contributor to this forum, but he did start this thread, with his "worry" about lack of Skylanders on the shelves, and yet he does, by his own admission, purchase 4 or 5 of everything Skylanders ... there's an important bit of hypocrisy there, and he should know this.

The wave thing will never be a perfect science. You can do it this way or that way. Either way.... someone will be unhappy. It is probably also more cost effective for Acti to do it one way versus two different ways. It would make a logistical nightmare to try and do it different ways.

I know people complain about prices of Skylanders. I am still on the fence about Infinity and will probably wait for Infinity and play it somewhere and see if I want to buy it. However, while doing some looking around today I noticed that some figures are 20 bucks a pop. The cheapest figure is 13.99. Some of the playsets are 35-40 bucks. To me that is a huuuuuuuuugggggggggeeeeeeeeee drawback because by the time you buy four figures you are dropping the price of another game on it. (Some cases.) Who knows what will happen. Maybe Infinity will take off, maybe it won't. Maybe Swapforce will bomb.... (probably not) Hopefully it will take off in even more of a big way then the first two installments did. Either way, I know one thing for sure.... I Know what I will be spending my money on in October.

One other thing. I know a lot has been made out of the on-line debate. People are worried that Swap Force does not have it that it will end up being a huge deal. On-line games are huge these days. Huge for teenagers, adults and the like. However, while I think online play has the place in these games, I don't think it is going to be the end all be all of it. Infinity, I think has more of a draw towards the younger kids even more than what Skylanders does. Cars, The Incredibles, Wreck It Ralph all appeal to younger generations. Many of whom are not to that age of playing on line and it being an ultimate deciding factor on what game to buy.

^I agree, Bazinga. Distribution is an art, and they are getting better at it--but far from perfection.

Bahamut: I hope they can do what they're doing now, with the assortment, as well as to allow for bulk character shipments. That would allow everyone to be happy. The only problem of course is the store to order the right assortment based on need.

I may buy 4-5 of everything, but it always takes multiple stores to be able to do so.

Case in point, S2 Drobot. I only got 1 at one store, and 3 at another (that got 7 boxes in). Then, when the ones arrived from Australia, I gave those away.

Sometimes, I've had to go to 4 stores to get 4 of what I needed (S2 Spyro is one of those figures). In my city, it's either me, or a couple of scalpers who frequent anything popular, and I choose me. Better a fan than a greedy fool who has money on the mind.

My buying 3-4 really has nothing to do with the Skylanders well drying up at this point in time, though, which is the topic of this conversation. I am done with my collection, so the wells drying up has nothing to do with me.

This is about the Skylanders sections being filled at a time competition is coming in. There's still a little less than 8 weeks until launch. That's enough time to fill up the shelves at least 1-2 more times, then let the well dry. It had no trouble raking in 500 million from February to July, and I honestly don't think that 1-2 more "small" shipments wouldn't shelf warm the pegs, thus not allowing proper space for Swap Force.

If they sent out 2 GR boxes this month, and 2 more boxes in the middle of September, those would sell. That's 24 single packs for August and 24 for September. Send out 2 boxes of Giants in August and September. Send out 1 box of Lightcores in August and September. Send out wave 5 triple pack boxes, so people who want triple packs 8 and 9 in North America can finally get them, and that would be that. I don't think they would have trouble selling at all.

It would also show consumers just now getting into Skylanders, that there is product on the floor. Remember, like someone else said, we're probably just 1% of the Skylanders fanbase. Some people may just be looking to get into Skylanders right now. It would be bad for product not to be on the shelf. It shows customers that there is a point in Skylanders collecting where you're too late, and it's the finger for you, for being a late adopter.

The thing that I don't get it is that people complain that they were releasing them to slow. Now, that nothing is coming out because most of the stuff is out and we know that lightcore hex will not be out until October pretty much people complain that their is nothing to come out. As I said in Feb. you can not have it both ways....... I knew that this would happen.

To the point of them "letting" Disney have the space. They will have it. Then Swap Force will get it back. Not really a big deal. It will still be out on the shelf. TRU has put too much money into Skylanders to just let it disappear for two months.

Didn't you buy the Spyro and Wrecking Ball from Gamestop online that Friday or Saturday they became available?

I don't think they have just given up their retail space--I belive it was fateofear that posted that although they sold some space they bought back much more.

Again--I think that we can rest assured that Activision has a plan for what they are doing. They don't have one person in an office saying "hmmm maybe Ill stop selling figures before Swap Force comes out." Im sure there is a lot of research and planning that goes into this by many educated and qualified people. Lets give Activision the credit they deserve. After all they did create the game we love so much.

Quote: Bazinga

The thing that I don't get it is that people complain that they were releasing them to slow. Now, that nothing is coming out because most of the stuff is out and we know that lightcore hex will not be out until October pretty much people complain that their is nothing to come out. As I said in Feb. you can not have it both ways....... I knew that this would happen.

To the point of them "letting" Disney have the space. They will have it. Then Swap Force will get it back. Not really a big deal. It will still be out on the shelf. TRU has put too much money into Skylanders to just let it disappear for two months.

Didn't you buy the Spyro and Wrecking Ball from Gamestop online that Friday or Saturday they became available?

I did, but cancelled them as I found them at the store.

But again, I'm glad they released things when they did. We started going into a dry spell on new releases, and we are in a dry spell between releases now (triple pack 8, 9, and single pack Jet-Vac).

I just want them to stay stocked with product, old or new, so people who get into Skylanders now, can find product, instead of seeing empty shelves. There are still customers probably looking into getting into Skylanders, but how can they when they can't find figures on shelves just because it's so close to Swap Force?

So, I don't get with your last statement how this is really Activisions fault? It would be more about the stores ordering stuff than Activision.

It is a business. Newer stuff will sell. That is why they are making room for Infinity. When October rolls around we will see more room for Swap force. It's like with new game systems. You saw with the WII U that the WII stuff is getting smaller. Now with PS4 and Xbone coming out PS3 and 360 will get smaller. More of a demand for this product and it will get put on the shelves.

Skylanders will be on the shelves tomorrow and next month and in a few, nothing to worry about that. To be honest, most people will see the ads for Swap Force and probably won't bother a whole lot with Giants as they will be excited for the new figures. Some will try and be able to get their hands on what they want. As far as triple packs 8 and 9.... I don't know why these not being is such a big deal to anyone other than people who collect every package that is released. All of the figures minus Single Jet and LC Hex can be had in one way or another right now. That not being is not a huge deal.

Just remember 6 months from now in Feb. when people are complaining because Swap Force is in a "dry spell" or they need to release them all at once.... Remember now and that you can not have it both ways/

Every store I've been to, said they tried to order them but they can't, as the vendor for Skylanders is out.

Quote: GameMaster78

Every store I've been to, said they tried to order them but they can't, as the vendor for Skylanders is out.

Vendor is out? Meaning Activision doesn't have any stock? I'm guessing they're going to try and make sure the guys that don't have repeats in Swap Force are available---you guys remember how bad SSA was when Giants came around? My guess is they're trying to fix that problem too, and help increase demand at the same time.

Still, kinda irritated I can't wrap up my triples.

If Disney Infinity wasn't being released there wouldn't be any of this "doom and gloom" BS about Activision and Skylanders. Everyone would realize that it's toward the end of the the games release cycle, they would level up their figures and do heroics, and impatiently wait for Swap Force. There's a 2 month wait and another game that brings figures to life just happens to be releasing and all of the sudden it's the GD apocalypse.

Was at TRU today (purchasing the last two Skylanders I needed) and the cashier was telling me about how Skylanders has some competition now, pointing to the Infinity display. I asked him if he thinks it will sell, and he laughed and told me that it would for sure, and that there were tons of pre orders for it. He did say that mostly younger kids will buy Infinity because they know the characters, and that Skylanders will be more popular with the older kids.

Quote: Trigger Fizz

Was at TRU today (purchasing the last two Skylanders I needed) and the cashier was telling me about how Skylanders has some competition now, pointing to the Infinity display. I asked him if he thinks it will sell, and he laughed and told me that it would for sure, and that there were tons of pre orders for it. He did say that mostly younger kids will buy Infinity because they know the characters, and that Skylanders will be more popular with the older kids.

Yep, and maybe it's ok for Skylanders to "grow up" a bit if Infinity eats their lunch and target the 8-14 year olds.

Honestly though, if Disney Infinity includes Marvel and/or Star Wars down the line, you all know that it will easily outsell Skylanders. I think we can all agree on that. Star Wars has been the number one selling action figure for years until Skylanders took the spot in 2012. Imagine if Star Wars were to combine with Skylanders competiton?... Need I say more?

By the way, the game does already have a lightsaber in the Toy Box mode and concept art for Captain America was leaked awhile back.

To be fair... Lots of pre-orders don't mean success. The game can have lots of pre-orders and still be crap and it won't sell.

Quote: Trexroarr

Honestly though, if Disney Infinity includes Marvel and/or Star Wars down the line, you all know that it will easily outsell Skylanders. I think we can all agree on that. Star Wars has been the number one selling action figure for years until Skylanders took the spot in 2012. Imagine if Star Wars were to combine with Skylanders competiton?... Need I say more?

By the way, the game does already have a lightsaber in the Toy Box mode and concept art for Captain America was leaked awhile back.

WHAT! I NEED A PICTURE LIKE NOW!

Quote: Bazinga

To be fair... Lots of pre-orders don't mean success. The game can have lots of pre-orders and still be crap and it won't sell.

Preorder is just people willing to try new products from the result of advertising, but in the end if its the result which are positive or negative from the community that matters..

While Swap Force is still 2 months away, doesn't Infinity deserve the spotlight til then? Skylanders already has a huge fanbase and wont need huge instore displays to sell their product this time, Activision will be relying on returning players. As for Disney Infinity, they need to promore their product in order to get people to buy it... given the track record of previous Disney games they don't really fare too well.

I have pre-ordered Infinity myself just because it is an interesting concept (completely different to Skylanders in the fact that you can create your own games) and I can't wait for Star Wars Infinity (it has been unofficially confirmed at various game expos with concept art of C-3PO and R2-D2 figures) in 2015!

I have been tossing around all day if I am going to get Infinity or not. We have room for both sets of games. We have CoD and Battlefield. Mario and Sonic, We had until a few years ago different Football, Baseball, and Basketball games that all seemed to survive.

Quote: Sparx_Dragonfly

I have pre-ordered Infinity myself just because it is an interesting concept (completely different to Skylanders in the fact that you can create your own games) and I can't wait for Star Wars Infinity (it has been unofficially confirmed at various game expos with concept art of C-3PO and R2-D2 figures) in 2015!

Where did you hear this about Star Wars Infinity and tell me there are pictures of the concept art!!!

I think that game wise we will be ok, we have 17 confirmed levels not just 12 so I think that the 5 levels will be enough to make this game truly awesome!

Every time I walk past the infinity display i put a light core on and leave him and let flash on and off,disney characters dont light up!

Quote: Bazinga

To be fair... Lots of pre-orders don't mean success. The game can have lots of pre-orders and still be crap and it won't sell.

Don't forget Disney has been doing there thing like movies, games and toys for quite a long time now before Skylanders was even introduce to the world, theres still things that Disney Infinity can do to make it better and only some of the Disney figures are release, they still have like Lion King, Tarzan, Peter Pan etc figures thats not even out yet.

I'd be more afraid that Infinity's going to lead to brand confusion, not so much competition. Look at what happened with Rock Band and Guitar Hero for example.

Dumb Parents are going to buy Disney figures for their kids who play Skylanders that is all LOL

When I see the Disney Infinity adverts on TV I get worried for Skylanders
I do hope they carry on makeing it because no more Spyro games means I will get so so so upset...

Quote: Kung Fu Man

I'd be more afraid that Infinity's going to lead to brand confusion, not so much competition. Look at what happened with Rock Band and Guitar Hero for example.

This is probably the most intelligent post in this thread so far. Most parents seriously have no idea what Skylanders and/or Infinity is all about ... it's VERY confusing to the average adult in the USA (that's sad, isn't it?).
Just two days ago I was in a GameStop store and the woman in front of me in the queue at the cashier's desk asked the clerk about pre-ordering the new Madden game. While she was doing that, the clerk (with very little effort needed) talked her into pre-ordering Infinity and a bunch of the Infinity add-on packs ... she literally knew nothing about it, at all. She kept asking questions like, "so, do I need that for this game, too?" ... and the clerk just had to say "yes" (even if it wasn't true), and she tossed down another $5 bill ... and another, and another ...

I had to bite my tongue and just wait my turn in line.

Quote: LegendaryFlames

When I see the Disney Infinity adverts on TV I get worried for Skylanders
I do hope they carry on makeing it because no more Spyro games means I will get so so so upset...

Put your worries to bed. Skylanders is here to stay. There have been so many "knock-offs" in the video games market over the past 2 decades ... and while some "knock-offs" enjoy moderate success, the established franchise/title almost always continues to out-perform the newcomers.

I wouldn't worry GameMaster, once Swap Force is out they'll dish out more figures. D.I. got it because it's new and because the release is coming up. But wait and see Skylanders will be filling up the space soon enough. Also, where do you live? Where I live the skylanders section isn't dried up, granted I do go to target for my figures but I think it still applies for Gamestop. In fact, I don't think Target even has a Infinity section unless they're waiting until the day of to do it.

Quote: ninja9351

I think that game wise we will be ok, we have 17 confirmed levels not just 12 so I think that the 5 levels will be enough to make this game truly awesome!

Where was this confirmed here? Where are the 5 levels coming from if the game has 12 levels?

Quote: GhostRoaster

Quote: ninja9351

I think that game wise we will be ok, we have 17 confirmed levels not just 12 so I think that the 5 levels will be enough to make this game truly awesome!

Where was this confirmed here? Where are the 5 levels coming from if the game has 12 levels?

I'm not sure about the exact source, but apparently some was able to view or access the achievements list for Swap Force, and based on that, someone (or a group of someones) deduced that there are 17 levels with these names:

Mount Cloudbreak
• Cascade Glade
• Mudwater Hollow
• Rampant Ruins
• Jungle Rumble
• Jaw Gulch
• Motleyville
• Twisty Tunnels
• Serpent's Peak
• Boney Islands
• Winter Keep
• Frostfest Mountains
• Mesmeralda's Show
• Fantasm Forest
• Kaos' Fortress
• Motherly Mayhem
• Cloudbreak Core

I don't know anything more than this myself yet.

Well around here in NY i asked a few stores and they said shipments have stoped minus the tree rex one lately. I am currently away in PA a couple days ago at hershey area. Harisburg TRU told me the same as NY. Walmart in harisburg told me the same too. I'm in VA now and tru in steeling told me the same as NY and PA. Target here and walmart had no idea just and thought i ment DI, which they both said is tomorrow urgh.

So ya idk if/when triple 8,9 or jetvac (and now possibly punch are coming). I may just have to order it somewhere at this point.

I have to disagree with the Oct. release being better idea then Aug. in regards to Infinity and Swap Force. These are basically kid games at heart with tons of additional characters and anything purchased in Oct. will be saved for the holidays where as an Aug. purchase will probably be cracked opened and played with. Parents are much more likely to buy additional characters for a game kids are playing vs. one thats sitting in a closet waiting to eb wrapped. Plus we have 2 weeks of summer left where kids are off.

Quote: Urban_Yeti

I have to disagree with the Oct. release being better idea then Aug. in regards to Infinity and Swap Force. These are basically kid games at heart with tons of additional characters and anything purchased in Oct. will be saved for the holidays where as an Aug. purchase will probably be cracked opened and played with. Parents are much more likely to buy additional characters for a game kids are playing vs. one thats sitting in a closet waiting to eb wrapped. Plus we have 2 weeks of summer left where kids are off.

You're entitled to your opinion, but in this case, you're probably incorrect. As stated above, parents' budgets during August tend to be directed towards three things: vacations/camps, back-to-school supplies, and clothing for the upcoming school year. There is less disposable money available for toys in the vast majority of American families during mid-to-late August. Meanwhile, October and November tend to be two of the absolute best months of the year to release a new video game, historically.

Quote: Matteomax

That's just wrong.

Activision worked HARD to make all these figures, and when Infinity comes out? They lose EVEN more money. I have a feeling there will be a lawsuit between the two companies, and ToysRUs will be in the middle of it.

They're VERY slow with shipments now. That's gonna bite them in the butt when Infinity is out and there are NO Skylanders on the shelves.

same here i too believe that their will be a lawsuit

As someone who used to work in the Video game retail industry...Oct & Nov sales are driven by the Holidays and in general most video game sales nowadays are driven by adults who buy and play the games. There is a reason why Call of Duty and Grand Theft Auto break sales records and why Xbox 360 and PS3 cater to adults more then kids. Most of the parents I know are planning on buying Swap Force for Christmas...haven't heard much buzz about Infinity from anyone I know. Disposable income for Oct. and Nov. tends to go to Holiday purchases and in general with the exception of Birthdays. Holidays, and Graduations...most parents will buy a small toy randomly for a child vs. an $80 starter pack.

On a sidenote (if I've read correctly) I think Disneys big issue will be that you can't mix characters for the main world missions. You can't use cars characters in the Incredibles missions...only in toybox mode. I think a huge part of Skylanders is that you can play your favorite character throughout the whole game.

Quote: BahamutBreaker

Quote: Urban_Yeti

I have to disagree with the Oct. release being better idea then Aug. in regards to Infinity and Swap Force. These are basically kid games at heart with tons of additional characters and anything purchased in Oct. will be saved for the holidays where as an Aug. purchase will probably be cracked opened and played with. Parents are much more likely to buy additional characters for a game kids are playing vs. one thats sitting in a closet waiting to eb wrapped. Plus we have 2 weeks of summer left where kids are off.

You're entitled to your opinion, but in this case, you're probably incorrect. As stated above, parents' budgets during August tend to be directed towards three things: vacations/camps, back-to-school supplies, and clothing for the upcoming school year. There is less disposable money available for toys in the vast majority of American families during mid-to-late August. Meanwhile, October and November tend to be two of the absolute best months of the year to release a new video game, historically.

good they release di in august when parents have to usage money on vacations/camps, back-to-school supplies, and clothing for the upcoming school year. the less disposable money available for di the better, di gonna crash and burn noaw

Quote: Topic Title: I can't lie, I am worried about Skylanders. - by GameMaster78

I don't think Skyalnders will ever have anything to worry about, so long as they keep shelves stocked, so old and new customers can find product.

Also, it's a game, not a way of life. If it goes down the pan, it goes down the pan.

i just want triple 8 and 9 already and jet vac. Single pop fizz i may import but I'll wait for now i guess.

Quote: Will171717

Dumb Parents are going to buy Disney figures for their kids who play Skylanders that is all LOL

That's cruel, calling parents dumb.

They don't understand toys as well as kids. Jeez.

Agreed matteomax