‘Disney Infinity’ video game unveiled to be cross platform “toy box” with character figurines

in Disney, Entertainment, Movies

In a special event at Disney’s El Capitan Theatre in Hollywood, California, Disney Interactive today unveiled the highly-anticipated upcoming video game called “Disney Infinity.” This game allows players to take control of Disney characters from across decades of filmmaking, from classic animated films to modern day Pixar movies, and explore open worlds interacting together. Using real life figurines, players will be able to combine the many worlds of Disney across consoles, mobile devices, and online.

Disney Infinity unveil event at El Capitan Theatre

Disney Infinity unveil event at El Capitan Theatre

Here is the full 50-minute presentation featuring game play details and footage, figurines, and executives including John Lasseter:


Video: Full “Disney Infinity” unveiling event at El Capitan


The game will be released in June 2013 with 3 virtual “play sets” – Monsters University, Pirates of the Caribbean, and The Incredibles – with 20 character figurines. More will be released throughout the year.

Disney Infinity unveil event at El Capitan Theatre

The concept is quite similar to Activision’s popular “Skylanders” series, but with a library of Disney characters and more play modes and a hint of “Minecraft” with an ability to create and play in interactive worlds.

Famous characters ultimately featured in the game include those from “Toy Story,” “The Nightmare Before Christmas,” “Phineas and Ferb,” “Cars,” “Wreck-It Ralph” and more.

According to John Lasseter at the event “Disney Infinity” will allow players to simply “play.” There will be story modes but the goal is really just to pull toys from a toy box and play creatively.

Visuals shown included an impressive amount of Disney properties from “Tron” to Spaceship Earth from Epcot and other iconic theme park elements to Scrooge McDuck’s money bin from “DuckTales.

Disney Infinity unveil event at El Capitan Theatre

The event began with an introduction by John Pleasants, co-president of Disney Interactive showing a game character filled version of the classic Disney castle intro.


Video: “Disney Infinity” version of the Disney title card


Disney Infinity unveil event at El Capitan Theatre

A trailer showing off many of the game’s features was also shown, highlighting characters and worlds from “Monsters University,” “Pirates of the Caribbean,” and “The Incredibles,” but also showing off a few others, giving just a small taste of everything that’s possible in the game.


“Disney Infinity” reveal trailer



Figurines showed off in person were Sulley, Jack Sparrow, and Mr. Incredible. They are inspired by the vinyl world of collectibles. Lasseter praised the art style extensively as something new, encouraging even non-gamers to collect them.

Disney Infinity unveil event at El Capitan Theatre

Disney Infinity unveil event at El Capitan Theatre

Disney Infinity unveil event at El Capitan Theatre

Disney Infinity unveil event at El Capitan Theatre

Disney Infinity unveil event at El Capitan Theatre

Lasseter emphasized the notion of becoming “a little kid again” when playing “Disney Infinity” by combining characters “you know and love.” Examples given were racing Dash against Lightning McQueen or having a strength competition between Mike Wazowski and Mr. Incredible.

Disney Infinity unveil event at El Capitan Theatre

John Blackburn from Avalanche Software, Disney’s partner in creating “Disney Infinity,” confirmed the idea of this new platform came from their work on the “toy box” mode from the “Toy Story 3” video game.

He also elaborated on how “Disney Infinity” will be sold and how it will be played. The initial package will come with the game, three figurines, and a platform to put the figurines on to allow them to interact with the game.

Disney Infinity unveil event at El Capitan Theatre

Disney Infinity unveil event at El Capitan Theatre

Two play modes allow characters to stay true to their worlds or interact together. In each “play set” only characters from that world will take part in the story. The Incredibles will use their special abilities to fight Syndrome. “Monsters University” characters will take part in a humorous battle against the rival school of “Fear Tech” in scaring over day and night. In “Pirates of the Caribbean,” players will go through the first three films plus theme park elements to simply be pirates, controlling Jack Sparrow through sword fights, puzzles, and building and sailing ships – even customizing a crew and cannons.

Disney Infinity unveil event at El Capitan Theatre

Disney Infinity unveil event at El Capitan Theatre

Disney Infinity unveil event at El Capitan Theatre

Virtual toys can be added to upgrade each world’s abilities via Power Discs, stackable under each figure.

Disney Infinity unveil event at El Capitan Theatre

Toy box mode allows players to control characters in an open world combining Disney universes to build familiar places, engage in endless adventures, and collect toys to work together. It’s an incredibly complex mode allowing a seemingly unlimited amount of creative play. Players can even create their own games within the game by building and programming.

Disney Infinity unveil event at El Capitan Theatre

Disney Infinity unveil event at El Capitan Theatre

Disney Infinity unveil event at El Capitan Theatre

Players can even upload and share their creations in a moderated online community.

The “Disney Infinity” Starter Pack will be available in June 2013 at a retail price of $74.99, including the game, three figurines, and additional Power Discs. Play Set packs will be $34.99. Individual Disney Infinity figures will be $12.99 or available in Figure 3-Packs for $29.99. Power Discs will be sold in blind packs at $4.99.

“Disney Infinity” will initially be available for Nintendo Wii and Wii U, Xbox 360, Playstation 3, PC, and yet-to-be-announced mobile versions. A Nintendo 3DS version is also in the works.

(Photos by Josh Daws & Ricky Brigante. Video by Jeremiah Daws.)

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