Today Disney and Hasbro released a new product called Playmation. Part Laser Tag, part cosplay that interacts with action figure sets with an app for your phone that keeps track of everything. I can’t think of a better way to get kids to play with toys then becoming them.
“Playmation is the next step in the evolution of play, where digital gets physical and imagination becomes real. The groundbreaking system of toys and wearables uses smart technology to inspire kids to run around and use their imaginations, as they become the hero or heroine of stories from across The Walt Disney Company. Kids will get a Captain America figure and Red Skull figure to start things off, and can purchase other Marvel characters like Black Widow, Loki, Falcon, and Ultron to round out their collections. Playmation will bring more of your favorite stories to life soon. Playmation Star Wars is currently slated for release in 2016, and a Disney Frozen system is currently in development.”
Our question to the G.I. Joe community: Do you think this is a great way to bring kids back to the G.I. Joe brand and would you purchase a set for you kids if they made one for the G.I. Joe?
Check out more information on this new product after the jump and sound off on the HISSTANK.com forums and let us know what you think?
DESTRO says
Press Release:
GLENDALE, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Today, Disney Consumer Products (DCP) introduced the world to Playmation – the next step in the evolution of play, where digital gets physical and imagination becomes real. The groundbreaking system of toys and wearables uses smart technology to inspire kids to run around and use their imaginations, as they become the hero or heroine of stories from across The Walt Disney Company.
“Innovation and creativity are the driving forces behind Disney, and our goal is to inspire children to unleash the power of their imaginations through the stories we tell and the experiences we create. With Playmation, we’re taking the next step in that tradition – bringing the worlds of play, storytelling, and technology together – in a new and very exciting way,” said Leslie Ferraro, president of Disney Consumer Products.
She continued: “Playmation takes the best the digital world has to offer and uses it to create supercharged, real world play. This is play updated for today’s kids – bringing their imaginations to life as they go on active adventures alongside their favorite characters.”
Dreamed up by a team of technologists, Imagineers and storytellers from across The Walt Disney Company, Playmation is the culmination of extensive research into the world of play. A new third party study commissioned by Disney1 reveals that parents feel nostalgia for the way they used to play growing up and that they also have a desire to keep their kids active. The study also found that children enjoy being active—yet at the same time, they have a growing appetite for technology-infused products.
The online study of 2,000 families across the country shows that while almost all parents believe in the power of active and creative play, they believe technology is also an important part of growing up today. In fact, 9 out of 10 parents are open to new technology that could play a role in keeping their child active.
“The study highlights a major opportunity to meet the needs of both parents and kids with a new way to play,” said Kareem Daniel, Senior Vice President, Strategy and Business Development. “Playmation uses technology to make active, physical play even more fun. It puts kids at the center of our stories in a way we’ve never been able to before.”
Playmation also marks a new chapter in Disney Consumer Products’ long-term partnership with Hasbro. DCP and Hasbro collaborated on physical product design and manufacturing of Playmation. Hasbro’s record of innovation and consumer insights make them the perfect partner to ensure that Playmation is a truly ground-breaking play experience.
“This is classic play for the millennial generation,” said Jim Silver, editor in chief and CEO of TTPM. “Playmation takes the role play category to a new level of engagement with their breakthrough interactive play. It is the entry point into a new category of toys that bring digital experiences into the real world. With Playmation, Disney Consumer Products is going to raise the bar in the world of play.”
Playmation Marvel’s Avengers is the first in a series of systems in development around Walt Disney Company franchises, and will hit shelves this October. At launch, the Playmation Marvel’s Avengers Starter Pack will include five connected toys: one piece of Avenger Gear (Repulsor), two Power Activators and two Smart Figures – a Super Hero (Captain America) and a Super Villain (Iron Skull). Getting started is easy, strap the high-tech Repulsor Gear onto your arm (it fits adults, too!) and listen closely to JARVIS as he takes you through the tutorial on how to control your new Gear, inspired by Iron Man technology. Other Playmation Marvel’s Avengers connected toys that work with the Starter Pack will also be available separately for purchase at launch, with more on the way.
Also available at launch, is the AvengersNet app where you can register your Avenger Gear to see progress, explore additional locations and characters, and get access to new missions. New recruits to the Avengers can fight Marvel Super Villains including Ultron, Iron Skull, Loki, or join fellow Avengers Super Heroes like Black Widow, Falcon and more as they battle to save the Earth by running, jumping, ducking and dodging – whatever each challenge requires.
“With Playmation Marvel's Avengers, the very best of Marvel storytelling is infused into every aspect of the system to further spark imaginative, active play,” said Joe Quesada, Chief Creative Officer, Marvel. "Playmation offers kids a dynamic way to interact with their favorite Super Heroes – I wish it was around when I was a kid!"
Playmation Marvel’s Avengers uses familiar technologies including smart toys, wearables, wireless technology, motion sensors and more, but applies them in ways that are completely new to create an experience that’s never been possible before. The Repulsor Gear connects with the Power Activators and Smart Figures to take you on a variety of adventures through locations around the Marvel Universe, from the Avengers Lab in New York to the jungles of Wakanda. Playmation is purposely not tethered to an Internet connection so players can run around and explore each adventure from anywhere they want – a bedroom, living room or yard. With multiplayer modes, recruits can sync their Avenger Gear to tackle missions and combat arenas together, or face off in competitive play.
The Playmation Marvel’s Avengers Starter Pack will have a suggested retail price of $119.99 and will launch in October 2015 in the United States and Canada at mass and specialty retailers, select Disney Store locations and DisneyStore.com, and will be available for pre-order starting July 7.
Star Wars and Disney Frozen systems are currently in development for 2016 and 2017, respectively. Each will use a range of technologies to create a system based on the different ways that kids play and experience their favorite stories and characters from that franchise.
For more information, visit Playmation Official Site.
Connect with Playmation on social:
YouTube.com/MyPlaymation
Facebook.com/Playmation
Twitter: @Playmation
About Disney Consumer Products
Disney Consumer Products (DCP) is the business segment of The Walt Disney Company (NYSEIS) that delivers innovative and engaging product experiences across thousands of categories from toys and apparel to books and fine art. As the world’s largest licensor, DCP inspires the imaginations of people around the world by bringing the magic of Disney into their homes. DCP is comprised of three business units: Licensing, Publishing and Disney Store. The Licensing business is aligned around five strategic brand priorities: Disney Media, Classics & Entertainment, Disney & Pixar Animation Studios, Disney Princess & Tinker Bell, Lucasfilm and Marvel. Disney Publishing Worldwide (DPW) is the world's largest publisher of children’s books, magazine, eBooks and apps. DPW is also committed to the educational development of children around the world through Disney Learning, which includes our flagship learning brand, Disney Imagicademy, as well as Disney English and other Disney-themed learning products. The Disney Store retail chain operates across North America, Europe and Japan with more than 350 stores and provides high-quality, unique products. Disney Store also operates ecommerce sites in several countries, which can be found here. For more information, please visit Disney Consumer Products.
About Marvel Entertainment, LLC
Marvel Entertainment, LLC, a wholly-owned subsidiary of The Walt Disney Company, is one of the world's most prominent character-based entertainment companies, built on a proven library of more than 8,000 characters featured in a variety of media over seventy-five years. Marvel utilizes its character franchises in entertainment, licensing and publishing. For more information, visit marvel.com. © 2015 MARVEL
About Hasbro, Inc.
Hasbro (NASDAQ: HAS) is a global company committed to Creating the World's Best Play Experiences, by leveraging its beloved brands, including LITTLEST PET SHOP, MAGIC: THE GATHERING, MONOPOLY, MY LITTLE PONY, NERF, PLAY-DOH, TRANSFORMERS, and premier partner brands. From toys and games, television programming, motion pictures, digital gaming and a comprehensive lifestyle licensing program, Hasbro fulfills the fundamental need for play and connection for children and families around the world. The Company's Hasbro Studios creates entertainment brand-driven storytelling across mediums, including television, film and more. Through the company's commitment to corporate social responsibility, including philanthropy, Hasbro is helping to build a safe and sustainable world and to positively impact the lives of millions of children and families every year. Learn more at Hasbro | Toys, Board Games, Gaming Apps & Online Games | Official Website and follow us on Twitter (@Hasbro & @HasbroNews).
1 Source: Third party research of Parents of kids 6-11 and Kids 6-11, conducted by Ipsos, April/May 2015
Image of Playmation Marvel's Avengers Starter Pack, which will be available at mass and specialty retailers, select Disney Stores and disneystore.com in the US and Canada starting October 2015. Playmation, the next step in the evolution of play, was unveiled by Disney Consumer Products for the first time on Tuesday, June 2, 2015
Image of children playing with Playmation Marvel's Avengers, which will be available at mass and specialty retailers, select Disney Stores and disneystore.com in the US and Canada starting October 2015. Playmation, the next step in the evolution of play, was unveiled by Disney Consumer Products for the first time on Tuesday, June 2, 2015.
Image of children playing with Playmation Marvel's Avengers, which will be available at mass and specialty retailers, select Disney Stores and disneystore.com in the US and Canada starting October 2015. Playmation, the next step in the evolution of play, was unveiled by Disney Consumer Products for the first time on Tuesday, June 2, 2015.
Image of children playing with Playmation Marvel's Avengers, which will be available at mass and specialty retailers, select Disney Stores and disneystore.com in the US and Canada starting October 2015. Playmation, the next step in the evolution of play, was unveiled by Disney Consumer Products for the first time on Tuesday, June 2, 2015.
Image of a child playing with the Repulsor Gear, part of the Playmation Marvel's Avengers Start Pack, which will be available at mass and specialty retailers, select Disney Stores and disneystore.com in the US and Canada starting October 2015. Playmation, the next step in the evolution of play, was unveiled by Disney Consumer Products for the first time on Tuesday, June 2, 2015.
Video:
http://mms.businesswire.com/media/20...mp4&download=1
Stygian says
Too soon to say what any of this will mean. The toy industry is littered with many failed attempts to marry electronics with play pattern, so this could be cool or a total flopinsky. Time will tell.
B and H Comics says
I have been saying for years that Hasbro needs to do a skylanders type game . But cross market it. Sell normal joe and transformers but include a display base that the figures can stand on and come off for normal play. Do not change the design of the toys to mini statues like those above or skylanders , keep your normal fully articulated figure. My kids skylanders and infinity guys get just as much normal imagination play as they do video game play.
Bigpoppacobra says
The gi joe won't happen because I think it would either be all snake eyes and storm shadow sword fighting, or something silly. The idea of role playing with guns just isn't as socially acceptable as it once was.
zbs says
If I had kids I would buy it for them
skinny says
This is Laser Tag. Just more complex. Will this be what gets kids back outside? This is what I have been saying GIJOE needs to do for a long time now. Especially if this can tie into a smart phone.
Either way if they are tying both Star Wars and Marvel along with Disney into this tech you know they have huge faith in it.
No more
"I shot you!"
"No you missed!"
"I had a shield up!"
"ok now I shot you!"
"nuh uh"
"uh huh"
"nuh uh"
Trigue says
I would totally get that for my kids, if I had kids. I might even get the star wars stuff from it next year just encase I accidentally end up having kids soon.
It looks and sounds a lot like the Lego Dimensions game thats coming out in a few months. Looks like it works pretty much the same even. But that trailer Disney made blows away any of the trailers Lego has made for Dimensions, except the one with Doc Brown cause they actually got Christopher Lloyd to be Doc Brown again.
USAgent says
Yeah- the commercial is certainly cool
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SXFz5tUDY38
But adding this on top of the Skylanders and Infinity heap of mini statue toys? Personally I like the idea of actual action figures for it rather than the little statues but as long as the kids are buying it (or their parents) I guess they'll keep making them this way...
toy-nutz says
You won't see a Joe version or any Hasbro property with this though. It reads like this was all Disney and they are getting Hasbro to help make it/market/sell it. I would not hold my breath for it. I bet this is a pure Disney only system. Heck Hasbro is hardly mentioned. Disney put out the release, so yeah this is really all Disney.
Snakeeyesisposh says
Umm, what is the product for? There was so much corporate fluff I actually don't understand......
What does it do?????????????
Keep reading: Disney – Hasbro Playmation Style Action Figure Role Play The Future of G.I. Joe - Page 2
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