Toys'R'Us hosts Skylanders: Swap Force launch event with exclusive figures

TOYS"R"US® TO SERVE AS THE GLOBAL RETAIL DESTINATION FOR SKYLANDERS SWAP FORCE ™

Portal Masters Can Experience Brand-New Innovation – Swappability – Along with the Return of Exclusive Legendary Line, Special Events and More

Toys"R"Us Stores in the U.S. to Open Early on Sunday, October 13 to Welcome Eager Fans*

WAYNE, NJ (October 7, 2013) – Toys"R"Us® stores worldwide and Toysrus.com are poised to become the global retail destinations for consumers eager to explore the Swappable. Unstoppable. ™ world of Skylanders SWAP Force™, the highly anticipated follow-up to Activision Publishing, Inc.'s acclaimed Skylanders Giants™ and Skylanders Spyro's Adventure® gaming experiences. Set to debut on Sunday, October 13, this new video game combines the franchise's signature gameplay and collectible "toys to life" experience with an all-new, innovative play pattern – swappability – allowing Portal Masters to swap the top and bottom halves of Skylanders® figures to create their own unique characters. The game, which was named as one of the "Fabulous 15" on the company's 2013 Holiday Hot Toy List, will be available on the Nintendo Wii™, Wii U™, 3DS™, the Xbox 360™ game and entertainment system from Microsoft and the PlayStation®3 computer entertainment system, as well as the upcoming Xbox One™ and PlayStation®4 when they debut next month. Once again, Toys"R"Us will be the only place fans will find the limited edition Legendary Series of toys, including alternative versions of new SWAP Force characters, such as Free Ranger and Night Shift, both of which feature enhanced in-game powers and are available for preorder now at Toysrus.com/SkylandersSWAPForce.

"Activision has been a pioneer in the toy and gaming world, and with the highly successful launches of Skylanders Giants and Skylanders Spryo's Adventure, the virtual and toy worlds collided to bring toys to life – much to the delight of its now incredibly devoted fan base of kids. Skylanders SWAP Force now takes that innovation a step further, offering this concept with a whole new twist – customization," said Richard Barry, Executive Vice President, Chief Merchandising Officer, Toys"R"Us, Inc. "As evidenced by its place as one of the 'Fabulous 15' on our Holiday Hot Toy list, we believe that Skylanders SWAP Force will be one of the most sought-after products to hit the market this holiday season. Once again, we applaud Activision's ingenuity and are proud to continue our strong global partnership with the brand, allowing us to bring the game to millions of enthusiastic young fans around the world."

Skylanders SWAP Force introduces 16 completely new Skylanders characters and 16 new swappable versions of fan-favorite characters from Skylanders Spyro's Adventure and Skylanders Giants, which players can turn into more than 250 unique in-game characters by swapping the top and bottom halves of the toys.** Fans can also play Skylanders SWAP Force with their entire collection of figures from both Skylanders Spyro's Adventure and Skylanders Giants, ensuring all stats and customizations remain intact. To help fans build their collections, Toys"R"Us will have the largest selection of Skylanders Spyro's Adventure, Skylanders Giants and Skylanders SWAP Force characters available – just in time for the holiday season.

"From the very beginning, Toys"R"Us has always believed in the magic of the Skylanders franchise. And they've helped us make it one of the hottest brands in all of entertainment," said Eric Hirshberg, CEO of Activision Publishing. "Just as we have taken the franchise to a new level of innovation with Skylanders SWAP Force, Toys"R"Us has also taken their support and commitment to the brand to a whole new level as well. We look forward to working with this key partner to bring the excitement of swappability to fans around the world."

Toys"R"Us Times Square to "Mix it Up" with Skylanders SWAP Force Launch Activities
As part of "SWAPtober," the month-long celebration of the launch of Skylanders SWAP Force, on Thursday, October 10, Activision is partnering with Toys"R"Us to bring the Skylands to life with "SWAPtoberfest." This fan festival in Times Square will provide kids with the opportunity to play the game before it's available, receive giveaways while supplies last, take photos with Skylanders characters, as well as take part in additional Skylanders SWAP Force-themed activities.

On Saturday, October 12 and Sunday, October 13, the Toys"R"Us international flagship store in New York City will celebrate the launch of Skylanders SWAP Force with one-of-a-kind, in-store experiences. Street teams in Times Square will distribute informational cards throughout the weekend to build excitement and awareness of the upcoming launch. Customers who visit Toys"R"Us Times Square from 11am to 5pm on Saturday and Sunday will have the opportunity to be among the first to play the new game at dedicated kiosks throughout the store and receive complimentary giveaways, while supplies last.

Toys"R"Us U.S. Stores to Open Early for Game's Debut, Unveil Exclusive Toys
As the game debuts on Sunday, October 13, Toys"R"Us stores in the United States will open one hour early, at 8am, making Toys"R"Us the must-stop destination for Portal Masters ready to experience the game and exclusive figures.* In addition, select locations will be open from midnight to 1am on Sunday morning to accommodate super fans eager to get their hands on the game the moment it becomes available for sale. To view the full list of stores opening at midnight, customers can visit Toysrus.com/SkylandersSwapForce.

Also, at midnight on Sunday, October 13, parents will be able to browse and shop all Skylanders SWAP Force products online at Toysrus.com/SkylandersSWAPForce.

The following two exclusive Skylanders SWAP Force toys are available for preorder online at Toysrus.com/SkylandersSwapForce and will be available only at Toys"R"Us stores in the U.S. at launch, beginning Sunday, October 13:

Legendary Grim Creeper (Lightcore) from Activision Publishing, Inc.
Kids will be excited to take home this brand-new Toys"R"Us exclusive SWAP Force character as part of the limited edition Legendary Series. Legendary Grim Creeper is an alternative version of the new SWAP Force character with unique, enhanced in-game powers. Grim Creeper is considered to be one of the best reapers ever to swing a scythe in his quest to defend the Skylands. Whether using his scythe to eliminate enemies the easy way, or employing his suit of armor to produce a mega hard attack to triumph over even the toughest adversaries, kids are sure to love this undead Lightcore character. No batteries required. Ages 6 years and up.

Legendary Free Ranger from Activision Publishing, Inc.

Along with the same abilities as the new, original Free Ranger, this exclusive Legendary version features more lightning fast power. Fans will be taken on a high velocity adventure with Free Ranger as he battles with earth, wind and fire to protect the Skylands and reach his destiny as the greatest storm chaser in the land. Free Ranger is known for his ability to chase hurricanes, spin inside tornados and ride lightning, as well as for his catchphrase, "Whip Up a Storm!" No batteries required. Ages 6 years and up.

Following are additional Skylanders SWAP Force toys that will be available only at Toys"R"Us stores and online at Toysrus.com later this fall:

Legendary Night Shift from Activision Publishing, Inc.
For Portal Masters looking to add to their assortment of Skylanders SWAP Force figurines, this Toys"R"Us exclusive is a Legendary version of the new character soon to be famous for his massive uppercut and fighting spirit. The undefeated phantom-weight champion of Skylands, Night Shift stays true to his motto to "Roll with the Punches." This boxer is well-equipped to help the Skylanders protect their world, no matter the challenge, making him a must-have character for Portal Masters determined to prevail against evil. No batteries required. Ages 6 years and up.

Legendary Zoo Lou from Activision Publishing, Inc.
This Legendary version of the new Zoo Lou character is every bit as in tune with nature as the original, but with even more enhanced powers. A descendant from a long line of shamans, Zoo Lou traveled the Skylands far and wide to become a master in the art of communicating with nature and summoning animals. Known for his catchphrase, "Nature Calls!" and single-handedly freeing his lands, Zoo Lou's caught the eye of Master Eon who brought him to the Skylanders. No batteries required. Ages 6 years and up.

Dino-Rang (Skylanders Spyro's Adventure) from Activision Publishing, Inc.
This popular character from Skylanders Spyro's Adventure returns as an exclusive Toys"R"Us SWAP Force Skylander who, despite his calm and cool demeanor, is back to protect Skylands. No matter the battle, Dino-Rang has what it takes to win, whether it's using his earthen boomerangs to attack his opponents or summoning pillars of earth in the form of fists to blast away his foes. No batteries required. Ages 6 years and up.

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Idle Thumbs Kickstarter includes exclusive game, neat artwork

by David Hinkle on Feb 20th 2012 4:30PM

It seems everyone's got a Kickstarter nowadays. Double Fine just surpassed $2 million, inXile is going to use Kickstarter to reboot a classic and now the Idle Thumbs video game podcast is using the site to finance its future.

The interesting thing about this Kickstarter campaign, however, is that it includes an exclusive game called Thirty Flights of Loving by Blendo Games. It's a sequel to the one-man indie development studio's previous effort, Gravity Bone, a spy-based affair blending adventure and first-person shooting elements. Thirty Flights of Loving will be given to all backers who drop $30 or more down.

If you want to throw down more cash, Vincent Perea and Graham Annable, the artists behind The Misadventures of P.B. Winterbottom and Puzzle Agent, respectively, will toss in some of their doodlings. So hurry up and help the crew finance their -- oh, they already hit their goal? Okay then, head on over if you want to pay for some stuff you want.

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LEGO City Stories exclusive to Wii U, 3DS

by Richard Mitchell on Jun 7th 2011 1:11PM

Nintendo's Reggie Fils-Aime has announced one of the first third party titles for the Wii U. Entitled LEGO City Stories, it includes an expansive city to explore. Few details were offered, though it looks a bit like a family-friendly version of Grand Theft Auto. The title will be exclusive to Wii U and 3DS.

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Our Exclusive Interview with MonkeyPaw Games about BurgerTime HD

One of the game I remember most from my early childhood is BurgerTime. In fact, I remember first playing not in the arcade, but on one of the old-school handhelds. My relatives mentioned how they played it all the time, and it was not too long before I became just as attached as them. Even though the game’s premise and mechanics were simple, it was almost addicting.

Similar to titles like Donkey Kong and Mario Bros., BurgerTime was based on a one screen grid. The basic idea places you, as Peter Pepper, in a burger factory. You must create burgers while walking over the different parts (buns, meat, lettuce, cheese). All the while, you also must avoid the enemies, which include hot dogs, pickles, and eggs. After you complete a level, you begin again.

MonkeyPaw Games has taken the classic game of BurgerTime and created a modern remix that will soon hit the WiiWare service (along with XBLA and PSN). BurgerTime HD includes new enemies, boss battles, and multiplayer. All of this takes place in a new cylindrical playing field.

We recently had the privilege of interviewing John Greiner, the President of MonkeyPaw Games. He spoke with us about this upcoming title along with his history with BurgerTime, Hudson Games, and future plans for Nintendo systems. Below is a portion of our interview.

NintendoFuse: What made you want to work in the gaming industry instead of just playing them?

John Greiner: I went to school and graduated with a BA in general education. I chose to travel the world, but only made it to Asia. I met the president of HudsonSoft, and he hired me to work on the TurboGrafx. It had already been successfully launched in Japan, but the US side was a completely different cookie. That shoved me right in front of a lot of gaming companies. I just got lucky and ended up in the industry by chance.

NF: What were some of your prior game projects?

JG: Basically, I was touching every single title that was coming out for the TurboGrafx16. The very first day I worked, I remember doing a voice recording for a game called Gundam. One of the next games was Ys Book 1 & 2. Any game that came out of Hudson that was bound for the US or Europe, I basically had somewhat of a hand in. Everything that had to be done on a foreign perspective kind of fell into my lap.

NF: Why did you choose to remake BurgerTime?

JG: BurgerTime, for us, was an obvious choice. It was our number one mobile title at Hudson. I was really shocked. It did better than Bonk and Bomberman by a magnitude. So, one of the first things I did, when we started MonkeyPaw was to go after that license, because I knew the game was pulling in that many users as it was. We already had the relationship, which made it easier to secure the license. The game started development at the beginning of 2010, and we are coming to fruition now.

NF: What types of changes to BurgerTime have you made in the remake?

JG: The game is simple, yet very addictive. The problem is that it is a 30-year old game. We think that keeping a game the way it is and just redoing the graphics is not enough. Users would like to see the old classics and play the hook again, but they do not want to see that in 1980 graphics or presentation. They want to see it in something that is about today’s hardware. The actual playing field of the game had one screen, so we decided to put it on a rotating cylinder in order to create a 3D image for the game. It allows you to see through the cylinder to see what is going on behind the cylinder. In multiplayer, this helps to see what other players are doing. You can also see the baddies coming around the corner. You can kind of get more of a three-dimensional view and also grasp of the game by inserting this new concept. We wanted to leave the mechanic and AI alone; we just expanded the playing field. The best thing that I think we have done is make it multiplayer. That makes it so much more fun to play in a competitive atmosphere.

NF: Could you elaborate on the multiplayer?

JG: We are limited on the Wii side. There is only local multiplayer on the Wii, but the other versions (PSN/XBLA) will have online. That is just the constraint of the hardware.

NF: Are there any other differences between the WiiWare version and the others?

JG: Yeah, less levels, basically. We couldn’t fit as much on. A few less boss characaters, which is a new feature. We tried to keep as much as we could, but everybody knows that is not really possible. You can only put so much. Compared to other examples, I feel like we have a lot on there.

NF: Are there any new features you are particularly excited about?

JG: I think this rotational axis gives this game a new life. It is no longer just a puzzle game. It really has this much bigger platform aspect. We need to satisfy the core, but we have to be aware that there are a number of people who have never even heard of BurgerTime. So, for those users, we want to make the game much more accessible. We included things like a rocket that you need to climb certain levels. We have added more baddies and boss characters too. It is about complexity today; you have to keep the attention span going for a much longer time.

NF: Can you explain the DLC for BurgerTime HD?

JG: The DLC is not huge, because we did not design the game around it, which a lot of guys are doing these days. We are putting out the game, and of course we will have things like extra levels and some different characters, but it is not going to be a driver. It will be supplemental for people who want to delve deeper and play the game longer.

NF: Will DLC be available for all platforms, including WiiWare?

JG: There will be some for every platform, but they will be different. Levels and characters are things we can do accross all platforms.

We would like to thank Mr. Greiner for taking some time to speak with us about BurgerTime, his history in the gaming industry, and the future of MonkeyPaw Games. Be sure to check out the full interview in our downloadable podcast. BurgerTime HD will be released in Summer 2011, so please stay tuned to NintendoFuse for further development about BurgerTime HD.

Ray Almeda, of MonkeyPaw, also stated that “If any BurgerTime fans, MonkeyPaw Games fans, or hardcore gamers out there have suggestions on what retro titles they would like revisited, you can follow MonkeyPaw Games on Twitter (@MonkeyPawGames) or LIKE Facebook.com/monkeypawgames.”

(Below is the BurgerTime HD announcement trailer, with footage from the PSN version of the game.)

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[PS3] Quantic Dream plan on staying Sony exclusive for now

[PS3] Quantic Dream plan on staying Sony exclusive for now
What? Another Quantic Dream story? You'll get over it. David Cage has been letting his mouth run a bit wild lately and this new story is really more of that same scenario.

David Cage now says that Quantic Dream fully intends to stay loyal to Sony's PlayStation 3. It is worth noting that Quantic Dream is still an independent studio, but is choosing to stay exclusive to Sony's platform of choice for an undisclosed amount of time. Cage's loyalty comes from Sony's incredibly generous support for their most recent title, Heavy Rain, with marketing and funding.

"The relationship on Heavy Rain has been fantastic," David Cage said to CVG. "They trusted us from day one, supported us all the way through. It was really a very risky project [for them] and they never let us down."

"Being a part of a company with what are probably the best studios in the world is something really pleasant for us. We're happy to continue this relationship and create content for the PlayStation brand. But they fund our projects, so we're staying exclusive to PlayStation."

He wouldn't confirm whether or not Quantic Dream shared tech with Sony's internal studios but he did say that they often have regular conversations with the folks at Naughty Dog, Media Molecule, Santa Monica and Guerilla Games.

Do you think this is a smart move on Cage's behalf? Is his loyalty admirable in a world where exclusives can sway a potential customers choice? Or is it foolhardy?

Written by: Kyran Morrison

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