by John Carle, Jan 21 2014 // 8:00 AM

I am a fan of Skylanders. It is just plain casual fun for me. To sit down, explore levels that aren’t exceptionally difficult and unlock the hidden items and secret paths is something that helps put me at ease. Not that there are a lot of mainstream games that are hard anymore with a few exceptions, there’s something I just enjoy about kicking back and playing Skylanders or checking out the stack of them on my shelf. But there is one thing I don’t like: The Release Schedule
When I play a game, I binge on it. I start playing it and I am content to go from start to finish and in most cases, that’ll be the majority of the time I spend with the game. Though I will go back to occasionally achievement hunt or if someone wants to hop on multiplayer or even have a party game while over my place, things usually wrap up once I have beat the game and move onto the next.
But because of the level design of the games and release schedule of the Skylanders figures, there are times that it is actually impossible for me to get as much out of the game as I want until months after release. This time with Skylanders: SWAP Force it ended up being three months and one week before I had the proper combination of figures to experience the majority of the title.
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Posted in: Activision · Editorial · Editorial and Opinion · Games · Geek · News · Nintendo 3DS · PC Games · Playstation 3 · PlayStation 4 · Video Games · Wii · Wii U · Xbox 360 · XBox One
Tagged: Activision, Nintendo 3DS, Playstation 3, PlayStation 4, Skylanders, Skylanders Giants, Skylanders Spyro's Adventure, Skylanders SWAP Force, Toys, Toys For Bob, Vicarious Visions, Video Games, Wii, Wii U, Xbox 360, XBox One
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by John Carle, Oct 14 2013 // 10:00 AM

So as previously mentioned, yesterday was the new release for Skylanders SWAP Force. As expected, it was not a cheap endeavor. One special edition Starter Pack, one Adventure Pack, one Battle Pack, four SWAP Force, three Lightcore and one standard Skylander later and my tally between Gamespot, Toys R Us and Target had hit the $250 mark. Now, I am not complaining. I bring it upon myself and I enjoy it. That’s what the appeal of Skylanders is. Combine a video game with the ongoing geek desire to collect things and you have an addicting formula. And that’s why we have a fantastic unboxing video for you to check out to check out and help decide which Skylander SWAP Force starter set to get yourself.
There is one piece of the Skylanders formula that does get a little frustrating though. To access all of the game’s content, it does require you to purchase real world products. To play through all the areas that are travel power based, you need eight different SWAP Force characters. Granted, two come with any Starter Set you buy but that leaves six more to go at $13 each, and at launch there are still two modes of transportation not yet available as only six of the sixteen are available so far.
Now I understand the arguments that they are releasing them in waves to keep up demand and all that, but my problem lies with content being locked. The other argument that this is to keep players coming back later and maintain replayability. Let’s be clear, (gravelly old man voice, “Get off my lawn”) back in my day we went back to games often even when there was no such thing as expanding shy of a sequel.
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Posted in: Activision · Collector's Editions · Games · News · Nintendo · Nintendo DS · Playstation 3 · PlayStation 4 · Toys · Video Games · Whiskey & Waffles · Whiskey and Waffles · Wii U · Xbox 360 · XBox One
Tagged: Activision, Announcements, Nintendo 3DS, Playstation 3, PlayStation 4, Skylanders, Skylanders Giants, Skylanders Spyro's Adventure, Skylanders SWAP Force, Toys, Toys For Bob, Unboxing, Vicarious Visions, Video Games, Whiskey and Waffles, Wii, Wii U, Xbox 360, XBox One
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by John Carle, Oct 7 2013 // 8:28 AM

The collection mentality is a dangerous thing, especially amongst the geek world. Nowhere else do you see the level of completionist mentality as you do amongst gamers. Trophy Whores and Achievement Hunters are both signs of this obsession to get them all. On Saturday the 12th and Sunday the 13th, both the Pokemon and Skylanders franchises intend to bankrupt me in both time and financially.
I bought my first copy of Pokemon Blue back when it first released fifteen years ago in 1998. With that, I set out on my mission to get all 151 of the original Pokemon. Though I never finished the list, I still spent way more time than I should have on that mission. Two years ago, I got my hands on Skylanders: Spyro’s Adventure and a few hundred dollars later, an entire shelf in my room is filled with the damn things.
Next weekend, I get to deal with a double whammy as both Pokemon X/Y and Skylanders SWAP Force are released.
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Posted in: Activision · Games · News · Nintendo · Nintendo 3DS · Playstation 3 · PlayStation 4 · Video Games · Wii U · Xbox 360 · XBox One
Tagged: Activision, Announcements, Behind the Scenes, Game Trailers, Gamescom, Gamescom 2013, Nintendo 3DS, Playstation 3, PlayStation 4, Pokemon, Pokemon X, Pokemon X & Y, Pokemon X/Y, Pokemon Y, Skylanders, Skylanders Giants, Skylanders SWAP Force, Teaser Trailers, Toys, Toys For Bob, Vicarious Visions, Video Games, Wii, Wii U, Xbox 360, XBox One
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by John Carle, Sep 23 2013 // 8:47 AM

Right now, I am counting down the days until my savings account basically becomes non-existent. On one side, I have a new console generation so there goes a few hundred bucks instantly. On the other, we have the next version of Skylanders with the largest launch lineup of new characters since the game’s inception in Skylanders SWAP Force. In other words, “Goodbye monies.” But I can’t complain. I am the one choosing to buy them after all. But of course, Vicarious Visions can’t help but make the wait and anticipation worse by showing off the new characters.
Skylanders SWAP Force will take place in a new location called the Cloudbreak Islands. Here, there is some mystical volcano that erupts every hundred years and this is the source of the SWAP Force’s SWAP ability. Back to his old habits is the series’ antagonist Kaos. But this time he isn’t alone as he is accompanied by his mom. Because if there is one thing more intimidating than a horrible wizard, it is one that needs to bring his mom to a fight.
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Posted in: Activision · Developer Diary · Games · News · Nintendo 3DS · Playstation 3 · PlayStation 4 · Toys · Video Games · Wii · Wii U · Xbox 360 · XBox One
Tagged: Activision, Announcements, Behind the Scenes, Game Trailers, Gamescom, Gamescom 2013, Nintendo 3DS, Playstation 3, PlayStation 4, Skylanders, Skylanders Giants, Skylanders SWAP Force, Teaser Trailers, Toys, Toys For Bob, Vicarious Visions, Video Games, Wii, Wii U, Xbox 360, XBox One
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by John Carle, Aug 23 2013 // 8:44 AM

With Gamescom came a slew of announcements from Activision. While you’ve probably already seen the latest BTS on Destiny or heard the news on Call of Duty: Ghosts, you may have not been privy to an exciting tidbit about Skylanders SWAP Force. In addition to revealing two new Core characters and two new SWAP Force characters, Skylanders SWAP Force will be making its way to the next gen consoles.
Though the specific release dates are not set, the Skylanders SWAP Force will be on the XBox One and PlayStation 4. As you’ll see in the screens below, the engine behind the game is able to take the simple and cartoonish style of Skylanders SWAP Force and translate it to gorgeous next gen visuals.
Take a look below at the profiles and vignettes for Zoo Lou, Slobber Tooth, Grilla Drilla and Boom Jet as well as a horde of next gen screen shots as well.
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Posted in: Activision · Announcements · Game Trailers · Games · News · Nintendo 3DS · Playstation 3 · PlayStation 4 · Screen Shots · Toys · Video Games · Wii · Wii U · Xbox 360 · XBox One
Tagged: Activision, Announcements, Game Trailers, Gamescom, Gamescom 2013, Nintendo 3DS, Playstation 3, PlayStation 4, Skylanders, Skylanders Giants, Skylanders SWAP Force, Teaser Trailers, Toys, Toys For Bob, Vicarious Visions, Video Games, Wii, Wii U, Xbox 360, XBox One
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by John Carle, Jun 12 2013 // 9:00 AM

While some arguments still rage after the E3 Press Conference backlash between the PlayStation 4 and the XBox One, what one can’t argue is the power of Activision/Blizzard in 2013. Whether or not you like their games, there is no denying that Activision/Blizzard is set to make a mint this year with the multiplatform releases for Diablo III, Destiny, Call of Duty: Ghosts and, of course, Skylanders SWAP Force.
In spite of Disney’s attempt to make its way into the collectible interactive figure game market with Disney Infinity, the legacy of the current Skylander player bases’ collections is going to continue to drive sales of both the game and the record setting release of new figures along with this iteration of the franchise.
In addition to the 256 combinations of new characters made by the 18 two part new SWAP force characters, there will be a horde of other figures both new and remodeled from previous series for players to collect as well leading to the largest expansion of the franchise to date.
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Posted in: Activision · E3 2013 · Game Trailers · Games · News · Nintendo 3DS · Playstation 3 · Screen Shots · Trailers · Video Games · Wii U · Xbox 360
Tagged: Activision, Announcements, E3, E3 2013, Game Trailers, Nintendo 3DS, Playstation 3, Skylanders, Skylanders Giants, Skylanders SWAP Force, Teaser Trailers, Toys, Toys For Bob, Vicarious Visions, Video Games, Wii, Wii U, Xbox 360
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by John Carle, May 28 2013 // 8:00 AM

Last week I posted my thoughts about the XBox One announcement and something just didn’t sit right with me about the focus on the Kinect integration. I’ve thought about it and watched the press conference over and over and the things I saw should have gotten me excited. The ability to control my TV and game system with just hand gestures and talking to it is like Iron Man style Jarvis technology. Why shouldn’t seeing that in action get me excited. This weekend, I finally figured out why.
It’s Nintendo’s fault. Specifically it is the fault of the Wiimote and Wiimotion Plus. Let me explain.
When we first saw the Wii, everyone got the impression that the technology inside the system and controller would be able to accurately track the motions of my Wiimote but quickly found out it wasn’t one to one readings, but gestures that were recognized.
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Posted in: Editorial · Editorial and Opinion · Games · Nintendo · Sony · Tech · Video Games · Wii · Wii U · Xbox 360 · XBox One
Tagged: Editorial, Kinect, Video Games, Wii, Wiimote, WiiMotion Plus, XBox, Xbox 360, XBox One
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by John Carle, Jan 16 2013 // 11:30 AM

As much as we love Disney and a lot of the things they do like Wreck-It Ralph, even we notice that they don’t always come up with all their own concepts. Usually it is something that has been successful in the past and they put a Disney twist on it to turn it into an even bigger success. Cinderella, Snow White, Beauty and the Beast and tons more are all examples of this. So, it’s no surprise that Disney and Avalanche Software would be following the success of the toys to video game combo of Skylanders with the announcement of Disney Infinity.
Using a special hardware base accessory, players will be able to unlock new in game content and characters for Disney Infinity. Sounds familiar right? Disney Infinity will be following a model similar to that of Activision’s Skylanders franchise. Players will be able to take purchased toys and put them on a base that will read the figure and unlock characters and items in the game.
In the trailer below, you’ll see characters from Pirates of the Caribbean, The Incredibles, Monsters University, Cars, The Nightmare Before Christmas, Toy Story and more that will most likely be on the list of playable characters and toys coming out for Disney Infinity.
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Posted in: Announcements · Cars · Disney · Games · News · Nintendo · Nintendo 3DS · Playstation 3 · Toys · Video Games · Wii · Wii U · Xbox 360
Tagged: Announcements, Avalanche Software, June 2013, Monsters Inc., Monsters University, Nintendo 3DS, Nintendo Wii, Nintendo Wii U, Pirates of the Caribbean, Playstation 3, Skylanders, The Incredibles, Toys, Video Games, Wii, Wii U, Xbox 360
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by John Carle, Jan 2 2013 // 11:00 AM

Don’t worry. We aren’t giving any more awards to Angry Birds. At least not today. But we do have four more games for the best of 2012. If you haven’t seen the previous two days awards, click here for Monday’s and here for Tuesday’s awards. Make sure to check back tomorrow for our final specialty awards and then again on Friday for the ultimate award from The Flickcast and Bitcast teams, the Game of the Year.
New IP With the Most Potential – Kingdoms of Amalur: Reckoning
With writing from R. A. Salvatore and art design by Todd McFarlane, many would have thought that Kingdoms of Amalur: Reckoning would have the makings of a surefire hit. With over 300,000 units sold by March of 2012, Reckoning gave a good showing for a brand new IP and had many people talking about it. Unfortunately due to financial problems with a loan from the state of Rhodes Island, 38 Studios was forced to close and with it went the possible future of the Kingdoms of Amalur series.
Despite coming from a brand new studio, Reckoning had all the makings of a hit game. Beautiful design, interesting and complex story with tons of back matter and, the most important, incredibly fun combat and gameplay. It was a huge world with tons to do that players could get lost in. Whether or not they even cared about the narrative, there were unending areas to explore and enemies to vanquish. Now, one can only hope that someone else picks up this IP and gives it a second chance to continue giving more people the chance to explore its epic world.
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Posted in: Activision · Games · Horror · News · Nintendo · Playstation 3 · The Bitcast · Ubisoft · Video Games · Wii · Wii U · Xbox 360 · Zombies
Tagged: 38 Studios, Activision, Best of 2012, Big Huge Games, Blizzard, Call of Duty, Call of Duty Black Ops II, Call of Duty: Black Ops, Diablo, Diablo III, Kingdoms of Amalur, Kingdoms of Amalur: Reckoning, Michael Rooker, R.A. Salvatore, The Walking Dead, Tom McFarlane, Ubisoft, Video Games, Wii, Wii U, Zombie U
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by John Carle, Nov 27 2012 // 1:00 PM

At a minimum of $300 a pop, hitting sales of 400,000 units is nothing to sneeze at. That means that in the first week Nintendo was able to earn a MINIMUM of $120,000,000 in sales off the newly launched Wii U. Factor in that some percentage of these consoles sold were the $350 Deluxe Edition means they the number may be actually be closer to $130,000,000. But how does that compare to console launches in the past?
Back in 2006, the original Wii clocked in sales of 600,000 units in its first week on shelves. That’s a 200,000 unit differential. The Wii U’s launch was more in line with the PlayStation 3’s launch which was also in the 400,000 range that same year showing that the Wii U may be more of a core gamer system as opposed to the mass appeal that the Wii had to non-gamers.
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Posted in: Games · Nintendo · Nintendo 3DS · Nintendo DS · Video Games · Wii · Wii U
Tagged: Black Friday, News, Nintendo, Nintendo 3DS, Nintendo DS, Reggie Fils-Aime, Sales, Video Games, Wii, Wii U
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