darkSpyro

It was all about Soul gems. 16 new skylanders, 16 new soul gems, 16 new levels. Some levels wouldn't have a soul gem if they had 17 or more levels, and that wouldn't make any sense. Collectors would be angry, critics would be angry, and Activision wouldn't want that at all. I rest my case.

then maybe they should have released more new characters instead of freakin' reposes of old ones ... more levels ... "I rest my case."

What Tig said. I think it was kinda shady of them to do Series 2 figures, of figures we bought over the course of the year prior. We're charged 10 dollars for 1 new move (11 dollars if bought at Toys R Us).

They should have just given Series 1 figures new moves, to show thanks to those who invested in Skylanders.

Now, for God's sake, I hope they ONLY do the remaining 8 Series 1 characters, as Series 2, and put the whole idea to bed, so they can focus on giving us enough new Skylanders, that they can sit there and give us that many new levels (if that's really why they only gave us 16 levels).

I do have to admit, though, Giants 16 levels wouldn't have warranted a thought by me, if I were a gamer who was just getting into Skylanders, or if I was curious, due to the 75 dollar pricetag. 75 bucks for 10 hours doesn't sit well with many, sadly.

It also doesn't help the game has no online. It also doesn't help that Skylanders stats, after doing 32 Heroics in the first game, have their stats dropped, just so you do the Heroics again, to catch back to what you already worked hard for in the first game. In other words, TFB needs to let Skylanders stats go higher with each game.

This game seriously needed new Adventure Packs. 6 Adventure Packs would have worked wonders. Then the game would have at least had as many chapters as the first game did before the added Adventure Packs.

Doesn't matter for me since I don't have the original game. I think it's good they re released old characters with new poses, a wow pow move, and eligibility to level up to level 15. Plus, who says you have to buy S2?

Gah, quit being happy with mediocrity people. Stop making excuses. My son and I loved Giants, but this series could be so much better.

Soul Gems is NOT a good excuse. Would you seriously be angry if they included more levels without Soul Gems? How do you explain the SSA Adventure Packs that still work with Giants? They don't have Soul Gems!

Quote: YOLOrenzo

Gah, quit being happy with mediocrity people. Stop making excuses. My son and I loved Giants, but this series could be so much better.

Soul Gems is NOT a good excuse. Would you seriously be angry if they included more levels without Soul Gems? How do you explain the SSA Adventure Packs that still work with Giants? They don't have Soul Gems!

This.

I really think the Series 2 reposes had a greater purpose than just one new move. If everyone will recall a while back when it was first announced, there was some question whether the old figures would gain anything in the new game, including leveling to 15. They did not definitively say one way or another, just that you could use them in the new game. When asked directly, they didn't have an answer - they probably were still trying to figure a way out.

I believe the problem was the memory chips on Series 1 were made to an absolute minimum spec, no extra room for additional data beyond what was used for the first game. Series 2 could be a way of getting new figures out there that would be more future proof for the third game and beyond, with enough space for grow. It will be interesting if game 3 will let you use Series 1 figures at all, it may only allow Series 2 and 3. The Wow Pow might just be a bonus to encourage upgrades for this Series and soften the blow of phasing out the Series 1.

Quote: defpally

I really think the Series 2 reposes had a greater purpose than just one new move. If everyone will recall a while back when it was first announced, there was some question whether the old figures would gain anything in the new game, including leveling to 15. They did not definitively say one way or another, just that you could use them in the new game. When asked directly, they didn't have an answer - they probably were still trying to figure a way out.

I believe the problem was the memory chips on Series 1 were made to an absolute minimum spec, no extra room for additional data beyond what was used for the first game. Series 2 could be a way of getting new figures out there that would be more future proof for the third game and beyond, with enough space for grow. It will be interesting if game 3 will let you use Series 1 figures at all, it may only allow Series 2 and 3. The Wow Pow might just be a bonus to encourage upgrades for this Series and soften the blow of phasing out the Series 1.

^This so much. I figured there had to be a reason, and this is as likely as any. We also have a new portal that, from what I heard, was supposed to address some problem with using up battery power? Or something like that.

I highly doubt that to be honest but we won't know until someone figures out how to analyze the chips and compares them now will we.

Most things (popular books, movies and games) are created with the idea of a possible franchise. The only way they did it to "an absolute minimum spec" is if they purposely wanted to hook people in and then pull the S2 business as a way to get people to rebuy the figures.

Also, IF this was really the issue then there wouldn't be 8 characters not getting a S2 repose since this is supposed to be a "solution". I wouldn't be surprised if we see all missing 8 along with 4 Giants and 4 newlanders as a series 2 for Game #3. In fact, considering the path switching of the S2, I expect it.

The new portal was said to exist because of not only the battery issue (AA, not so much the chips) but also because of the LightCore abilities (which apparently, at full power, drained the battery faster).

EDIT: One more thing, if the figures from S:SA won't work after Giants they risk losing a large portion of the fanbase who opted NOT to buy the reposes. To be frank, the "WowPow" seems to be a creation only to get people to buy the Reposes. Sometimes all you need is to add one thing or change something to get people to buy it again, and Activision did three things: changed the appearance and added a bonus attack and the ability to switch paths.

Quote: Hexin_Wishes

I highly doubt that to be honest but we won't know until someone figures out how to analyze the chips and compares them now will we.

Most things (popular books, movies and games) are created with the idea of a possible franchise. The only way they did it to "an absolute minimum spec" is if they purposely wanted to hook people in and then pull the S2 business as a way to get people to rebuy the figures.

Also, IF this was really the issue then there wouldn't be 8 characters not getting a S2 repose since this is supposed to be a "solution". I wouldn't be surprised if we see all missing 8 along with 4 Giants and 4 newlanders as a series 2 for Game #3. In fact, considering the path switching of the S2, I expect it.

The new portal was said to exist because of not only the battery issue (AA, not so much the chips) but also because of the LightCore abilities (which apparently, at full power, drained the battery faster).

EDIT: One more thing, if the figures from S:SA won't work after Giants they risk losing a large portion of the fanbase who opted NOT to buy the reposes. To be frank, the "WowPow" seems to be a creation only to get people to buy the Reposes. Sometimes all you need is to add one thing or change something to get people to buy it again, and Activision did three things: changed the appearance and added a bonus attack and the ability to switch paths.

I can't agree about the "missing 8 figures". They didn't put them in because they wanted to balance the offering. Now when it comes to marketing, we've seen time and again when companies make something work up to a certain point, even though they have technology to do something better. Take Dvds. They were able to make something better, but intentionally made them as limited as they are, THEN made Bluray. You end up buying more that way. I wouldn't be at all surprised if s2 really were an actual upgrade.

I've noticed that a fair portion of fans don't want the reposes, but they still buy the newlanders. It's a choice people make, and I don't think the franchise is suffering from it. I DO think their hype advertising policy is hurting them though. If they'd stop feeding us false information and try to actually deal with scalpers without making it so difficult for stores and customers to know when something is coming in ect, it would be good.

Honestly, if the SSA figs are going to be significantly weaker than S2 (and beyond) figures, Activision would score a LOT of points with their customer base if they would offer some kind of monetary credit for people to exchange their SSA figs for S2 (and beyond) figs.

Quote: Himewad

Honestly, if the SSA figs are going to be significantly weaker than S2 (and beyond) figures, Activision would score a LOT of points with their customer base if they would offer some kind of monetary credit for people to exchange their SSA figs for S2 (and beyond) figs.

I can see their response to this idea: "No refunds!"

GS had (and may still have) the option of selling them your old skylanders for a less than you paid for them. It seems it wasn't fun for them, and I think Acti is likely to have noticed this.

I don't expect a refund, but a credit (no matter how small) would be a good public relations move. Especially considering how much it cost to collect every figure the first time around, let alone the 24 re-poses. It really seems like a shameless money-grab.

Quote: defpally

I really think the Series 2 reposes had a greater purpose than just one new move. If everyone will recall a while back when it was first announced, there was some question whether the old figures would gain anything in the new game, including leveling to 15. They did not definitively say one way or another, just that you could use them in the new game. When asked directly, they didn't have an answer - they probably were still trying to figure a way out.

I believe the problem was the memory chips on Series 1 were made to an absolute minimum spec, no extra room for additional data beyond what was used for the first game. Series 2 could be a way of getting new figures out there that would be more future proof for the third game and beyond, with enough space for grow. It will be interesting if game 3 will let you use Series 1 figures at all, it may only allow Series 2 and 3. The Wow Pow might just be a bonus to encourage upgrades for this Series and soften the blow of phasing out the Series 1.

I thought this at one time, too. However, what doesn't add up, is the fact that we all know they will do Series 2 versions of the 16 Skylanders from Giants. They should have been future proofed already, but I bet we see some Series 2 Newlanders next game, along with the 8 Series 1 that didn't receive Series 2 figures.

I want each new game to give Skylanders new moves, without having to buy new Skylanders. That would help in making this franchise even more epic than it is.

Quote: TheLurk

I can't agree about the "missing 8 figures". They didn't put them in because they wanted to balance the offering. Now when it comes to marketing, we've seen time and again when companies make something work up to a certain point, even though they have technology to do something better. Take Dvds. They were able to make something better, but intentionally made them as limited as they are, THEN made Bluray. You end up buying more that way. I wouldn't be at all surprised if s2 really were an actual upgrade.

I've noticed that a fair portion of fans don't want the reposes, but they still buy the newlanders. It's a choice people make, and I don't think the franchise is suffering from it. I DO think their hype advertising policy is hurting them though. If they'd stop feeding us false information and try to actually deal with scalpers without making it so difficult for stores and customers to know when something is coming in ect, it would be good.

Many companies have an offer where you can trade in your DVD for credit for a blu-ray purchase btw (I know Disney does and I believe Sony does as well...or was it Warner Bros.) so Himewad's .

The DVD to Blu-ray transition didn't happen within a year like Skylanders, so let's not kid ourselves. Afterall, there were plenty of data chips that are inexpensive enough and hold a lot of data when S:SA came out anyways. And, as I said before, most developers ALWAYS leave the option open for a sequel these days (and Skylanders was definitely one game where you could definitely tell a sequel was coming, you don't build an extensive world just to have it end with one game.). But hey, the first game had plenty of glitches so maybe they actually did put out an unfinished and hack-job of a product.

Here's the thing, if the S1 figures don't work with Skylanders 3 then there will be a significant drop from not only disgruntled parents (whom I know a few who refuse to get reposes) to people like myself whom get it because we enjoy it. Eventually the craze will die down as well and, if they're not careful, saying "oh you're figures from SSA won't work anymore" and without any remedy other than "if you want to play as this character you HAVE to rebuy it" will expedite the process.

I don't need new moves. Just give me challenging levels. And I won't be buying new figs if they keep wanting me to spend hundreds of dollars with each new version of the game. It's already ridiculous.

New moves would be pretty cool. I would enjoy a nice pick and choose type of deal where all the moves are available (from the basic upgrades - path 1 - path2 - wowpows/new moves) and you pick which of the lot you want your figure to have. Granted, that probably won't happen because SSA and SG both have this rigid system.

They should have put updates to the game on another disc and download onto hard drive. there's no reason for a company to be greedy with reposes they could have added more but they didn't. I just say if u don't like how they do things don't buy and play there game. It is no different then day one dlc like w happend with mass effect 3. They have the ability to put part of the game on our harddrive, even the wii does zelda skyward sword had apdate u could download. So ether way if u wanted more levels or charicters you pay for what u get a money gimmick and yes I play and collect these things too. So if you don't like how there selling there products in a way don't support it

And if my spelling or grammers off please understand I'm on a ****ty cell phone and the screen loves to just all over. I'm doing the best I can lol

Two words.

Cash grab.

I initially hated the idea of reposes, but then purchased a few via triple packs with newlanders. Once I realized they were able to do both paths (and retain both paths once fully purchased) I started purchasing the remainder. I'm sure I'm not the only one who quickly got sucked in, but ultimately it is a choice. IF the s1 figures are not compatible with future games, I'd mostly be upset if any characters were left out in the dust (like Whamshell and Ghost Roaster). If they reposed the missing 8 from the first game I wouldn't be to upset as I'll have all the s2 reposes. $10 or so is not worth the re-purchase in my opinion, but for various reasons I have purchased them this time....if they cut off s2 working in the future I'd have to draw the line at repurchasing them all. If people continuing buying them, they will continue reposing them!

I originally hated the s2 idea too. Then I started buying them. It's a shady business move but I'm a sucker for this series. I'll have them all. If they do it again next game I'll have all them too.

Back to original topic (kinda) 16 levels wouldn't have been so bad if there was online. Sure there is battle arena and plenty to hunt for in each bigger level but at face value it's quick. I just rebeat the game last night to take advantage of the upper deck money exploit that I messed up on my first file. Took less than a day.

Count me as a parent that will not buy reposes for season 1 characters. I got a ton in 2.99 and BOGO deals to establish my kid a solid base to play. Throw in the starter pack and a couple other giants and I figured he was good to go. I never saw a S1 Slam Bam out there so I made the mistake and bought S2 version before realizing that the adventure packs were so epic...and now here I sit REFUSING to buy the Empire of Ice because we already have a Slam Bam.

Adding new cool characters is the key to any new versions...and yeah, stop tying Soul Gems to levels if you don't make enough new ones. Make 10-12 new guys for the new game, add a soul gem every other level but stick with the overall chapter theme with a few new nooks and crannies...Call it a day.

the whole reason behind the new portal is so the skylanders will light up ssa portal doesnt light up the giants or light core.

16 levels they could have been better there to short in my opinion more would have been better.

s2 figures yes and no ys new figures look better and the variants are gd no cause no better upgrades or higher levels level 15 is bad should be twenty.

as for game three they cant just cut out the s1 figures cause you wont be able to use your magic items or sidekicks which then would have been a waste of money and people will start to fray away from skylanders there for going to infinity.

they should have made it playable for online too like a few folk have said even brung skylanders universe for acces from xbox,ps3.wii or 3ds the fanbase would grow even larger and the revenue would hit even bigger margins.

now on to something else if they even wanted to make skylanders even BIGGER again why not make a movie or tv series like pokemon look how much thats grown over the years not to mention how far it came then theres the prospect of toys and a know the figures are toys and gaming together and they have megablocks stuff to but what about possable figure and battle sets for kids to play with or collectors to collect this franchise could be a lot bigger if they put there heads in the righ gear and start there engines.

this is just my opinion.

Figures do light up on the old portal.

And as far as eventually dropping support for some older figures, after two main console games, two 3DS games, Universe, Battlegrounds, Cloud Patrol and Lost Islands, it is really hard to claim they haven't given you enough to do with them. The game grows, it has new storage demands, needs new characters - they are already at 48 unique playable characters, expecting them to support and balance every one for every future game and still be able to come out with a new game every year with interesting new content and features is eventually going reach a limit.

Another idea that would be cool is if Activision came out with an "expansion" type game every half year that supports all figures from the previous game, but adds a new story and levels. Like Skylanders 3/4/5/6 comes out in October, Skylanders Giants: New Stuff in June.

Or maybe since Wii is being dropped, add the ability to add levels and new characters to the game through updates. Right now, every character and level has to be complete when the game releases, so there is a hard limit to what they can get done.

Are we sure that Wii is being dropped?

We play it on Wii...I have a PS3, so the conversion could be made there...but I like playing it on Wii.

I think that a lot of time can be put into thus game. Each level has all the collections. Also there are plenty of accolades and awards that can be achieved. Each character has the monster masher where they have to kill 1000 enemies. Fire characters have challenges to beast water enemies. Stuff like that can add playing time and new challenges.

As far as expanding the franchise, I could see them doing that eventually what with the books and other products they are already selling.

Quote: Trigger Fizz

... Plus, who says you have to buy S2?

Can anyone confirm the following?

I haven't tried any yet, but a friend of mine reported that Heroic Challenges in SG (which should be playable with Series 1 figures) can only be unlocked with Series 2 figures. For example, my series 1 Sonic Boom could play the SG Sonic Boom challenge if it was unlocked, but I can only unlock Sonic Boom's challenge with a Series 2 Sonic Boom, thus, requiring the purchase of new figure.

Cupra, figures do light up on the old portal.

I had Legendary Bouncer, LC Drobot, Prism Break, and Eruptor 1 week before Giants released, and I had the Dragonfire Canon 2 weeks before Giants came out. All of the lightcore features of those objects lit up on the old portal, which I would use to show my kids how they lit up before Giants came out.

On the subject of this game, some more. They do need to start doing things a little different, if they truly care about this franchise.

1: More than just 16 levels
2: Adventure Packs with every new game to add to the more than 16 levels they should have per game
3: Make Nightmare Mode available from the start
4: Allow Skylanders' stats to go over 100 (not just HP)
5: Allow Skylanders to get new moves with each new game, without having to buy another version of said character (however new moves aren't compatible with older games)
6: More than 16 "NEW" Skylanders per game (24 sounds about right)
7: Nix the Series *insert number here* Skylanders after giving people the remaining 8 Series 1 Skylanders, as Series 2, this way customers don't feel like they're just after money
8: Online CO-OP and multiplayer. Make Battle arenas bigger for advanced players
9: Explorable hub with lots of secrets
10: Secrets in each level that are hard to find, but really reward those who explored and found said secret

I won't list this as 11, but I think they should still have elemental areas that can only be accessed by Skylanders of a certain element, BUT, they should do it like the secret Life area in the second chapter of Spyro's Adventure. No one would have known to use the life element in that one spot to get to the Legendary Treasure.

I absolutely love the idea of them taking out any hints of how to gain access to elemental areas in each chapter. It makes people think, and it also makes people buy 1 of each element, because they know they may not have the correct element, if they have a hunch that a specific spot is the access point to an elemental zone.

God, this franchise would be uber beasting if they ever made you look for potential access spots to elemental zones, instead of laying it out right in front of you.

Quote: kaz409

Quote: Trigger Fizz

... Plus, who says you have to buy S2?

Can anyone confirm the following?

I haven't tried any yet, but a friend of mine reported that Heroic Challenges in SG (which should be playable with Series 1 figures) can only be unlocked with Series 2 figures. For example, my series 1 Sonic Boom could play the SG Sonic Boom challenge if it was unlocked, but I can only unlock Sonic Boom's challenge with a Series 2 Sonic Boom, thus, requiring the purchase of new figure.

You can only unlock heroic challenges in giants with S2 figures. However, if you have Spyro's adventure and unlock the heroic challenge with a s1 character in that game, then bring him forward, the corresponding attribute increase in Giants will be retained on the figure, despite the challenge not being available. They have slightly altered the bonuses to attributes from Spyro's to Giants, so it won't be exact, but it will be there. So just do them in Spyro's if you have a S1 and it'll be all good.

Quote: Skylanders Dad

Are we sure that Wii is being dropped?

We play it on Wii...I have a PS3, so the conversion could be made there...but I like playing it on Wii.

No it isn't confirmed, I mis-spoke on an opinion. Given the Wii is pretty much dead and replaced now, I wouldn't be surprised if it was dropped. It sure would open some opportunities if it wasn't necessary to play down to the lowest common denominator. I know it was the lead platform (in other words, they wrote the code for it and ported it to the XBox360 and PS3) for the first game, not sure on the second. Even if it is supported for game 3, they need to just decide that there are some things the Wii can't do and that is just fine that the other platforms have some features it doesn't.

Quote: Skylanders Dad

Quote: kaz409

Quote: Trigger Fizz

... Plus, who says you have to buy S2?

Can anyone confirm the following?

I haven't tried any yet, but a friend of mine reported that Heroic Challenges in SG (which should be playable with Series 1 figures) can only be unlocked with Series 2 figures. For example, my series 1 Sonic Boom could play the SG Sonic Boom challenge if it was unlocked, but I can only unlock Sonic Boom's challenge with a Series 2 Sonic Boom, thus, requiring the purchase of new figure.

You can only unlock heroic challenges in giants with S2 figures. However, if you have Spyro's adventure and unlock the heroic challenge with a s1 character in that game, then bring him forward, the corresponding attribute increase in Giants will be retained on the figure, despite the challenge not being available. They have slightly altered the bonuses to attributes from Spyro's to Giants, so it won't be exact, but it will be there. So just do them in Spyro's if you have a S1 and it'll be all good.

To be explicit, it's not the functionality that bothers me - it's the concept of needing to purchase more figures to truly expose EVERYTHING in the game. Throw a bone to us gen1 peeps who bought+maxed all of the figures, yo.

My understanding is that I can achieve FURTHER attribute increases with my S1 figures in Giants, even if they already did some challenges in the first game (perhaps this is not that case, and my S1 figures cannot achieve bonus from Giants challaneges?) but it irks me that i am unable to unlock said challenges without buying a new figure.

Quote: Trigger Fizz

Doesn't matter for me since I don't have the original game. I think it's good they re released old characters with new poses, a wow pow move, and eligibility to level up to level 15. Plus, who says you have to buy S2?

This. I bought S2, thankfully before the price went up to 10/11 bucks, and it's only because I've gained interest in them since SSA. Why complain if they're virtually the same as SI? The Wow Pow's hit or miss and switching paths is kind of stupid because chances are you like the path you're on. And I think you have to pay everything you change, so you may as well reset

Quote: PinkWater

Quote: Trigger Fizz

Doesn't matter for me since I don't have the original game. I think it's good they re released old characters with new poses, a wow pow move, and eligibility to level up to level 15. Plus, who says you have to buy S2?

This. I bought S2, thankfully before the price went up to 10/11 bucks, and it's only because I've gained interest in them since SSA. Why complain if they're virtually the same as SI? The Wow Pow's hit or miss and switching paths is kind of stupid because chances are you like the path you're on. And I think you have to pay everything you change, so you may as well reset

The path switch ability means you don't have to pay after you've already paid once. So you can unlock all of one path, go and unlock the other, and freely switch between them without a reset or paying again.

Quote: GameMaster78

Cupra, figures do light up on the old portal.

I had Legendary Bouncer, LC Drobot, Prism Break, and Eruptor 1 week before Giants released, and I had the Dragonfire Canon 2 weeks before Giants came out. All of the lightcore features of those objects lit up on the old portal, which I would use to show my kids how they lit up before Giants came out.

On the subject of this game, some more. They do need to start doing things a little different, if they truly care about this franchise.

1: More than just 16 levels
2: Adventure Packs with every new game to add to the more than 16 levels they should have per game
3: Make Nightmare Mode available from the start
4: Allow Skylanders' stats to go over 100 (not just HP)
5: Allow Skylanders to get new moves with each new game, without having to buy another version of said character (however new moves aren't compatible with older games)
6: More than 16 "NEW" Skylanders per game (24 sounds about right)
7: Nix the Series *insert number here* Skylanders after giving people the remaining 8 Series 1 Skylanders, as Series 2, this way customers don't feel like they're just after money
8: Online CO-OP and multiplayer. Make Battle arenas bigger for advanced players
9: Explorable hub with lots of secrets
10: Secrets in each level that are hard to find, but really reward those who explored and found said secret

I won't list this as 11, but I think they should still have elemental areas that can only be accessed by Skylanders of a certain element, BUT, they should do it like the secret Life area in the second chapter of Spyro's Adventure. No one would have known to use the life element in that one spot to get to the Legendary Treasure.

I absolutely love the idea of them taking out any hints of how to gain access to elemental areas in each chapter. It makes people think, and it also makes people buy 1 of each element, because they know they may not have the correct element, if they have a hunch that a specific spot is the access point to an elemental zone.

God, this franchise would be uber beasting if they ever made you look for potential access spots to elemental zones, instead of laying it out right in front of you.

no probs gamesmaster78 but i was speaking on experience cause mine doesnt bloody do it now am no happy lol