darkSpyro

There are no true surprises. None. All the true unique characters were known about before the game was released, meaning that we're now stuck with a giant waiting game for things to come out and twiddling our thumbs while they do. While variants are still popping up here and there, they're essentially the same characters with just a paint job or different molding color, and still do not appearing differently in game save for the inconsistent 'special' status that appears. By comparison one of the neatest things with the first game is that while you knew a good chunk of what was coming down that pike, things like the sidekicks and Volcanic Vault took some people by surprise.

Here it was all laid out even down to the sidekicks. Right now the only big surprise the game held as far as the toys go was the sniper, and all in all it's pretty obvious he didn't get very far sadly. Sorry if it sounds like I'm griping, just wish they'd held back just a little for the anticipation of 'what's next?'.

And the game itself.
This is something I've thought about for a while. But I feel they will never fix it, so I just steel with it( there!).
I also hate how they made the wonderful figures for the main game and then a bunch of Mega Bloks sets alongside it- what the fix? This is a game based around buying toys, other merchandise like shirts and mugs is understandable, but toys based on toys you use in a video game(that are much cooler to boot)? Nothing against Mega Bloks or their sets specifically, just that they are releasing so much when there is already enough to get. If TFB/Acti wanted to make articulated toys they should have from the start and then made the set grounds sepearately anyway.
And the trading cards! They package cards with figures... But cheap Activision just HAD to employ someone to make them sepearately, huh?
INB4 "but they're fun to collect"- the game's figures are already available to hunt down, too...

Well, I still like they made a Glumshanks block figure thingy. You can't exactly buy him for the game itself........

And I do agree on the characters being unveiled too soon. I'd rather it be a mystery wave too or something.

One thing? I think we can come up with a lot more than that.

Quote: Himewad

One thing? I think we can come up with a lot more than that.

I actually have to agree ^

Guess for me it's the biggest thing then, though I can honestly agree with everything Nibelilt said.

I'm actually kinda surprised that they haven't made a way for the game to be expandable with add-ons that aren't actually built into the game as it is on release day.

How cool would it be if you could buy a download upgrade pack for S:SA now that would let you add the Giants and new characters to it? (Giants would still sell because it's the newer and more advanced game). Or what if they came out with a new expansion pack for it now that it has been out so long? It would certainly add life to the old game and make it still viable.

It would be neat if they had 4 characters that were not revealed that they could put out periodically as a surprise (or even once the other characters have all been released). They could appear as sillohuettes on the posters, etc.

Well in all honesty, what can you expect any more in this day and age? People have the ability to look into the games files all they want. It's the exact same way with Pokemon any more- all the sites go and jump into the files to see all the new Pokemon, all the events, etc etc. It's great for making walkthroughs and stuff but it ultimately ruins the experience because nothing is really a surprise any more. Heck, when Black and White came out, I actually played the ROM about halfway through, and I didn't really enjoy myself all that much when the game finally came out over here. For BW2, I strictly avoided any sort of spoilers for the game.

I'll admit though, it makes me definitely dread all the waiting, but alternatively it is a lot of fun to create the hype for the figures. I do agree though- they should have left some secret or hidden away. I think a bit of it probably also stemmed from Universe which had all the characters out of the gate.

I wonder if it's possible, and going off of Dark Gyro's suggestion- make the data that's in the game for the character blocked (or have them appear as a silhouette that doesn't do anything, then when you activate the special Skylander, the data is added to the data on the game to make the full character. I don't know much about how this all works so I can't say if it's viable or not.


Other than that, my slight gripe is that we can't take the figure off the base. The character data is stored inside the base, so there shouldn't be any reason why we can't take them off. (other than maybe they don't want us to put say Spyro on the base for another character/some character's bases are only made for them- this could be resolved by the figure just being able to only go on it's own base though) Something so that we can pose the figures would be great, even if we can't take them off the base I suppose.

Quote: Kung Fu Man

There are no true surprises. None. All the true unique characters were known about before the game was released, meaning that we're now stuck with a giant waiting game for things to come out and twiddling our thumbs while they do. While variants are still popping up here and there, they're essentially the same characters with just a paint job or different molding color, and still do not appearing differently in game save for the inconsistent 'special' status that appears. By comparison one of the neatest things with the first game is that while you knew a good chunk of what was coming down that pike, things like the sidekicks and Volcanic Vault took some people by surprise.

Here it was all laid out even down to the sidekicks. Right now the only big surprise the game held as far as the toys go was the sniper, and all in all it's pretty obvious he didn't get very far sadly. Sorry if it sounds like I'm griping, just wish they'd held back just a little for the anticipation of 'what's next?'.

Heh heh.

Yeah, the only true surprises are second-hand merchandise, like Mega Bloks, and the variants, like the Rocks and GITDs.

@spyroflame I think the thing they're referring to is that Acti already showed off every single character just under a month before the game was out at all.

we know about all their current products, as far as we know, they could be planning a huge new release. we dont know everything, interviews tell but half of the real deal. heck, there could even be a complete new element for all we know. it's unlikely, but its not impossible.

Kinda impossible to have a new element actually, there'd be nothing in the game's data to support it, not to mention the Debug Minion would've featured it too.

^ Yes, the only way would be via DLC which would just be a middle finger to parents and young kids who don't understand it

am i alone in thinking this...
we knew the toys and the reposes and characters way before release.. playing through giants was a pretty short game.. im thinking they will produce another game that uses the figures (like maybe battlegrounds will be super awesome or there will be something even after that). it just seems like they arent telling us something..
too much toys, not enough game(s)...

Quote: exosquad

too much toys, not enough game(s)...

Indeed. I'm still waiting for them to release the perfect Gauntlet Legends spinoff where your Skylanders can level up to 100 (even if those levels might only "count" in that one game, like Lost Islands), you fight a lot more 'grunt' enemies and can improve your character through several different hat-like accessories during the game. More action, less "why can't I jump" platform play.

But once Battlegrounds comes out, they'll effectively have their foot in the door everywhere - you can play Skylanders on anything. At that point, they can start designing GAMES to sell specific FIGURES if they wanted.

Make FREE (or at least very low priced) DLC add-ons or apps. Short, 2-3 hour adventures around each character that go more into their backstory; you've given them histories, might as well do something with them. The trick is, you can't play the add-on unless you actually own that figure. Completing those quests will give you a special item that appears in the NEXT Skylanders console game. It doesn't matter that the item doesn't exist in any current game, as long as the figure has data to indicate that quest was completed, they can have the next game give the reward.

Timing would be everything - they re-release the eight "forgotten" Skylanders from the first game (still as Series 1) along with apps for them. The DLC add-ons (and unique equipment for completing them) would help inspire the hunt for people who never bought them in the first place. And again, if the add-ons were free for figure owners, they wouldn't suffer from the usual negative perception that paid DLC has.

But really, when you think about it, Skylanders: Giants is already over $500 of locked 'on-disk DLC' content that you need plastic figures to access. And most of us aren't complaining about that fact.

With the addition of more incentive to play with the figures in the game now, I'm finally fine with it, personally. Plus, Universe is still a relaxing distraction since it goes up to Level 50. Then the Hero Ranks on Lost Islands. Heck, if anything- if Skylanders continues to expand on the replayability like Giants has, constantly adding new Levels and Bonuses to conquer- if anything, I think that the franchise would become OVERLY full with any more lines. I just want them to neaten them up though, I miss the hope of Giants featuring "further integration with Skylanders Universe". I would love to see Hero Levels and Hero Ranks mean something more soon. But as it is I'm fine with it... I mean, 10-15 is already quite more time than 1-10, so imagine simply how 15-20 would be in the next game! Though, I would love to see full character-specific levels. I just think eventually we would get far too much if they added even more games in.

Well if there was a mystery wave 2, it would be scalped like nothing ever before.

Quote: Nibelilt

And the game itself.
This is something I've thought about for a while. But I feel they will never fix it, so I just steel with it( there!).
I also hate how they made the wonderful figures for the main game and then a bunch of Mega Bloks sets alongside it- what the fix? This is a game based around buying toys, other merchandise like shirts and mugs is understandable, but toys based on toys you use in a video game(that are much cooler to boot)? Nothing against Mega Bloks or their sets specifically, just that they are releasing so much when there is already enough to get. If TFB/Acti wanted to make articulated toys they should have from the start and then made the set grounds sepearately anyway.
And the trading cards! They package cards with figures... But cheap Activision just HAD to employ someone to make them sepearately, huh?
INB4 "but they're fun to collect"- the game's figures are already available to hunt down, too...

I really like the idea of the Mega Bloks sets. It gives us different versions of characters we really like, that are poseable. i am very excited to get a little, poseable Gill Grunt. But the biggest thing that the MB line brings us is toy figures of the enemies, like Kaos, trolls, etc..., which are close enough in scale to the video game figures. Some of the enemy designs are really well done, and I would love to have figures of more of them.

DLC would be very, very cool. Can't see it happening, though.

I think with the Wii U being released, it's a definite possibility for future games where they all can get DLC. (Wii U last I heard can get DLC for once) Although I think what would have to happen though is the ability to purchase the content, as well as some way to get figures as well. I'm not sure how that'd work, but it'd be neat if they had some sort of redemption code in the character's package (right there with the Universe code) that would allow you to get things from the respective online stores for the consoles.

Quote: Dark Gyro

I'm actually kinda surprised that they haven't made a way for the game to be expandable with add-ons that aren't actually built into the game as it is on release day.

How cool would it be if you could buy a download upgrade pack for S:SA now that would let you add the Giants and new characters to it? (Giants would still sell because it's the newer and more advanced game). Or what if they came out with a new expansion pack for it now that it has been out so long? It would certainly add life to the old game and make it still viable.

It would be neat if they had 4 characters that were not revealed that they could put out periodically as a surprise (or even once the other characters have all been released). They could appear as sillohuettes on the posters, etc.

^ Yes, I've often wondered why they don't have an update or expansion for the S:SA where you can use Giants or S2 figures... still holding out tho!! Maybe they'll wisen up yet! hehe

To be honest, they really didn't need the reposes. The 16 new characters are great enough. The game however left something to be desired. Don't get me wrong. Good story and gameplay but the levels were WAY too long. Especially if yoy screw up and have to start over. I have a few reposes but I'm more anxious for the new characters.

Quote: delta chameleon

I really like the idea of the Mega Bloks sets. It gives us different versions of characters we really like, that are poseable. i am very excited to get a little, poseable Gill Grunt. But the biggest thing that the MB line brings us is toy figures of the enemies, like Kaos, trolls, etc..., which are close enough in scale to the video game figures. Some of the enemy designs are really well done, and I would love to have figures of more of them.

You're on our good list.

I think battlegrounds is gonna be a big time game. They've already said there will be "constant" updates and new chapters. We shall see

Quote: spyroflame0487

I think with the Wii U being released, it's a definite possibility for future games where they all can get DLC. (Wii U last I heard can get DLC for once) Although I think what would have to happen though is the ability to purchase the content, as well as some way to get figures as well. I'm not sure how that'd work, but it'd be neat if they had some sort of redemption code in the character's package (right there with the Universe code) that would allow you to get things from the respective online stores for the consoles.

The Wii could always have DLC, it's just a more complex process than the other consoles. I remember hearing about this one Wii game having DLC- I think it was a 007 game.

A response from another forum:

Right now only small DLC is possible. All Wiiware and VC games from the SD card are copied to the Wii automatically and then deleleted when you're finished playing, so any DLC would have to be under 40mb or so that Nintendo recommends keeping open. In order for real DLC to be implemented it would have to be streamed off the SD card directly. Currently only Guitar Hero 5 and Band Hero do this although songs aren't really that big. I imagine it's possible to fix this with a firmware update, but Nintendo probably doesnt' really care enough too. So unless Nintendo decides to do something about it or a really ambitous 3rd party developer (possibley High Voltage with Conduit 2) decides to create some kind of system for it it probably won't happen. Also some DLC is really good for making old games seem fresh. Only some of it is really a ripoff, like paying $2 to unlock an item already on a game disc.

Quote: delta chameleon

different versions of characters we really like, that are poseable.

That's what we have Series 2 for, and for the possible part- well, that's why roi Saotome wrote this. Don't get me wrong, I like the Mega Bloks sets, just not a good idea releasing them next to a set of toys that work with several games that there are already over 100 of in two series and I feel like Activision are really wanting money with that. I know I don't have to buy them but still.

On a different topic, we discussed something about only adding a figure or two per game, so we dont have cases full of plastic and 3 games (too late?).

Yeah, it's possible that continuing to support the Wii is what keeps Skylanders out of the DLC game, for better or worse. Assuming the Wii U comes with a more traditional method of supporting DLC, then it's just a question of if "Skylanders III" will be MADE for the original Wii or not.

I imagine they'd probably lose more money to drop Wii support that early in favor of DLC that can work for all consoles, though. Time will tell.


Quote: SPARXisAWESOME

That would be really cool, and by 'unique equipment' do you mean new armour and stuff?

Pretty much, yeah. Equipment kinda needs to be unique to each character - you can't make universal "armor," "shoes" or "gloves" like the hats, because not all characters would be able to use them! Drill Sergeant with Gloves? Not seeing it. (But then Hot Head has a hat, so what do I know?)

So there you go, the Wii does support DLC, though it CERTAINLY isn't enough to support even a Portal firmware update or anything.
... Thinking over it, I find it amusing people think we don't have enough games when we have two 3DS games, two major console games, an MMO, a sim, and an arcade, and another coming this month, plus even more coming for at least the next few years... And it's barely been over a year.

I'm actually really looking forward to Battlegrounds, too. I do most of my gaming on my iPhone already. The time constraints of adulthood and all that.