Support NeoGAF

[Scientist Supreme!]

Johnny V

 

[AssassiN]

I think this leaves Activision as the only major player in the genre (yes, Amiibo, but that's a somewhat different business model).

Technically Warner hasn't left, but they haven't announced any intention of launching a new game this year, or even launching something that's not an expansion pack at some mysterious date in the future.

I'm pretty sure they don't plan on doing another Dimensions anytime soon and seem to just be intent for now on explanding the current product, but there's only so long you can do that.

 

[Mihael Mello Keehl]

Botty redeemed again! Boy did that guy ever hate Disney Infinity.

I look forward to watching Amiibos burn to the ground as well.

Lmao look at all the smart people.. "Shouldnt you be saying that about amiibo?"

lol

real talk nintendo should slow it with amiibo and start releasing some more niche amiibo

 

[Crash331]

About a month ago I was at gamestop and this employee told me they sold a shitload of amiibo and dimensions figures but almost never sold infinity stuff. I thought he was full of shit. Plus target and other stores doing tons of sales on the figures kinda fits if this is true.

Target and TRU have been doing sales on Toys to Life since at least as far back as Skylanders Giants, so that's no indication of how they are selling.

Shelf space, however, is a good indication, and shelf space has been shrinking for at least the last 6 months.

 

[killroy87]

That can be turned around though. Do something like Kingdom Hearts with an original story.

Im sure they looked at what that would cost compared to what it could potentially return and confidently said no.

Disney is making all the money in the world right now, they don't need to be in videogames publishing.

 

[PSqueak]

I didn't know Disney Infinity was doing that bad

Same here.

Dang, better plan ahead to get all the marvel figures before they become unavialable.

and some SW.

Maybe Nick so my Judy isn't lonely.

 

[Heartfyre]

I just feel bad for the development teams, and especially Brandon Jones.

 

[Amagon]

Out of the left field. Who else is going to call quits this quarter?

 

[DrForester]

I think this leaves Activision as the only major player in the genre (yes, Amiibo, but that's a somewhat different business model).

Technically Warner hasn't left, but they haven't announced any intention of launching a new game this year, or even launching something that's not an expansion pack at some mysterious date in the future.

Didn't Warner/LEGO commit to 3 years with the game in an effort to get parents on board? They'll release expansions but they're not going to start over every year.

 

[Ducktail]

I have a friend who has spent a ridiculous amount of money on this. I feel bad for him, though he'll always be able to play the game, I guess?

 

[Experien]

Makes sense because last week Disney Infinity 3.0 was on sale for $10 on PS4.

 

[petethepanda]

What? Man.

 

[Takao]

The report makes it sound like it's just Disney Infinity getting scrapped and not their entire gaming division.

The report straight up says Disney is exiting the console self-publishing business. They weren`t publishing much other than Infinity these days, though.

 

[KissVibes]

There are people(including kids) who love those games in addition to the people who are probably losing their jobs over this so that's kinda a messed up opinion to have.

It's annoying from a retailer standpoint because none of this shit is selling anymore unless HEAVILY discounted. That space could be used for better, more profitable products going to waste. I would like to see it go away.

 

[ZorpAttacks]

Same.

Was under the impression it was making loads of money.

I guess that's the trick of perception versus reality though.... where was the money being made?

I bet the money from Infinity is nowhere near the amount made by Frozen Free Fall in-app purchases. That's the future of Disney 'games.'

 

[Ludist210]

I hate this...the games weren't the greatest, but they were good fun. At least I have all of the figures.

 

[SourBear]

End of Disney as video game publisher.

This isn't exactly true. They will still be developing and producing mobile games in-house (for now).

 

[nakedeyes]

Holy shit. I was at this studio for the last 8 years and just left last month. Amazing timing for me. Ultimate bummer for all my bros over there.. Pour one out! These are ultimately talented people and I hope they land on their feet.

 

[phant0m]

Thats amazing. Everyone leaving games publishing. Just make more apps to get kids to beg parents for money. That's the future.

$100M game budgets just don't pay back the way $100M movies do.

Shit though, I'm like $150 in the hole with Infinity 3.0

 

[BronsonLee]

BOTTY NO

 

[oti]

at Disney:

We have to alternatives. 1) Continue developing this ultra expensive video game with different toy lines OR 2) SELL MOAR ELSA DRESSES $$$

 

[ElBoxyBrown]

So nintendo had the right business model after all

In it you sell the toys... and they are completely useless

Hardcore Nintendo fans put Otakus to shame when it comes to their spending habits.

Only good Disney game i can think of right of the top of my head is Aladdin from SNES... I am sure there are others, but that one comes up immediately.

Published by Disney but still counts. Think SSX but with ATVs.

 

[MattyG]

WHAT. This is crazy.

 

[curb]

Was there ever an indication the games were a Skylanders size hit or that the figures were as popular as Skylanders or amiibo? Genuinely curious, not meaning to kick them while they're down and I sincerely hope any vocationally affected by this will land on their feet and then some.

In the year-end NPD recap DI was higher on the sales list than Skylanders but that was just the starter set. I'm sure the individual toy sales matters more.

 

[NHarmonic.]

Disney never had any role in Kingdom Hearts beyond providing the rights, and probably some sort of approval, but that's it.

Figured there has to be some kind of team working with them, from their videogame division.

Glad it's not the case :/

 

[charsace]

Terrible news when a huge company is pulling out of big budget games.

 

[TheSuperSakura]

Wow...I was planning on dropping some money to get the game and some figures soon too.

 

[Weltall Zero]

I'm less surprised than people in this thread I think; Infinity had the least logical business model out there in terms of interoperativity. The fact that your figures are essentially useless outside their specific stages and the toybox engenders much less fidelization than other games where you can play with any figure in every game going forward.

It's quite a shame because they obviously had an incredible array of characters and worlds. I can't help but think that if they had gone with the Skylanders / Lego Dimensions model they would have trampled the competition.

 

[Stanng243]

Hopefully this means the end of Skylanders and LEGO Dimensions too.

I hope not, Lego Dimensions is great. The last Skylanders was good also.

 

[Rosur]

damn didn't think it was doing that badly.

 

[Byronic Hero]

Damn. This means the Keyblade item will never be made available for everyone like the light saber was in the 3.0 update. So the only way I can ever get Stitch to wield a keyblade is to get every figure, something I would have never done in the first place. Oh well.

 

[Sonic Rift]

I'm such a fan of Disney Infinity and I'm devastated. Never going to be able to line my Episode VIII and Force Awakens guys together. Never getting Old Luke. I can't believe they weren't doing well. That seems so crazy.

 

[NOLA_Gaffer]

I have 60 figures.... Fuck.

I have all of 1.0 and 2.0 outside of Ronan. I only have a handful of 3.0 figures.

I'm likely gonna sell off the majority of what I have and keep only the few I really like (Rapunzel, Ralph, Vanellope, etc.)

I'll probably go out and buy an Ant-Man as well.

 

[Xater]

you gotta think the adam boyes -> john vignocchi connection was helpful in getting some of the old lucas arts games out. wonder how hard it'll be now.

Probably way harder. As far as I heard that was what made it work in the first place.

 

[Lan_97]

Wow. That is too bad. Infinity was really starting to hit its stride at 3.0 too.

I was also looking forward to the potential of Kingdom Hearts figures in future sequels.

 

[NoKisum]

Guess this means Kingdom Hearts III will be Disney's final video game?

 

[blamite]

Wow, that's a bummer. Target always had a ton of shelf space for the figures; I assumed that was because they sold pretty well, but I guess not...

If this is a sign of a larger trend I wonder what Nintendo's planning to do with amiibo. When Smash 4 was new and they couldn't keep the new ones in stock it seemed like they had hit a goldmine, but now that that's died down, is there anything next? Is there anywhere to go with the genre at this point that can be sustainable?

 

[TheCthultist]

Has Disney actually put out any kind of official statement on this as of yet? I'm having some trouble finding definite sources arm.

 

[LiK]

WTF, i loved the figures. need to buy the rest i'm missing.

thinking of Johnny V

 

[Ashodin]

Nintendo looking concerned

 

[Triforce141]

There goes my hope of amiibo X Disney Infinity figures of Peach and Rosalina.

 

[ash_ag]

If no one officially handles Disney games anymore, that bring the Nintendo / Disney rumor to mind.

The negotiations between Nintendo and Disney are still coming along with intensity (as in heated discussions). The first issue was that Disney wanted Mario to appear on its game, and Nintendo has not accepted yet (Skylanders got Bowser and Donkey Kong), and that is why there is no amiibo in Disney Infinity 3.0. Nevertheless, the negotiations continue.

[...]

Meanwhile, the videogames and as a more astonishing part of the deal, there would be a title leaded by both Super Mario and Mickey Mouse. The crown jewel that is the reason why Disney is dealing pressure. But Nintendo could be pondering delaying this deal to make it an announcement to the public when the time is right for them, because they know this could have a huge media news, even in the General Press.

 

[sixteen-bit]

Guess this means Kingdom Hearts III will be Disney's final video game?

Are Disney publishing KH3?

 

[Infurino]

Wow, crazy that Infinity was doing so poorly.

 

[KingBroly]

I think this leaves Activision as the only major player in the genre (yes, Amiibo, but that's a somewhat different business model).

Technically Warner hasn't left, but they haven't announced any intention of launching a new game this year, or even launching something that's not an expansion pack at some mysterious date in the future.

Didn't they announce 2 new toy sets today?

 

[DorkyMohr]

Forgive my ignorance but what's a charge? Is that them basically paying out their investors?

 

[NightOnyx]

Shame to see it die and more importantly sad to see people lose their jobs. I always thought Infinity looked the most appealing out of the figurine games, but I having to buy those characters, especially for the prices they were charging, seemed insane to me. The figurines are neat and all, but you could buy a new game for the price of 4-6 of them. I really wanted to try out some of that stuff, the star wars stuff in particular, but the prices always held me back.

 

[Crazymoogle]

Guess this means Kingdom Hearts III will be Disney's final video game?

Disney doesn't publish KH

This news suggests that Disney is getting out of making games themselves, which by extension means they will just be licensing out IP to everyone else. Again.

 

[Guevara]

statement to TechCrunch:

“After a thorough evaluation, we have modified our approach to console gaming and will transition exclusively to a licensing model. This shift in strategy means we will cease production of Disney Infinity, where the lack of growth in the toys-to-life market, coupled with high development costs, has created a challenging business model. This means that we will be shutting down Avalanche, our internal studio that developed the game. This was a difficult decision that we did not take lightly given the quality of Disney Infinity and its many passionate fans.”​

http://venturebeat.com/2016/05/10/t...rtainment-company-pulls-out-of-console-games/

 

[TheSpoiler]

This doesn't stop them from doing deals with other publishing companies in the gaming sphere.

Disney doesn't publish KH

This news suggests that Disney is getting out of making games themselves, which by extension means they will just be licensing out IP to everyone else. Again.

That means we might get more deals out of this since they aren't willing to go through the effort of making games.