Skylanders Creator App Revealed!

Join the Discussion on the SkylanderClub.com Forum!
http://www.skylanderclub.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=53&t=684

Skylanders Creator App Overview

Custom 3D Printed Skylander: $49.99 with FREE Shipping

Imaginators Card: $14.99 with FREE Shipping

Imaginator T-Shirt: $24.99 with Additional Shipping Charges

Here is the official Press Release regarding the Skylanders Creator App and information on October's Creation Contest!

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                     

WHO WILL YOU CREATE? SKYLANDERS IMAGINATORS WANTS TO KNOW!

 For the First Time in Toys-To-Life History, Fans Can Bring their Imaginations to Life with Custom 3D Printed Skylanders!

Month-Long Celebration Counts Down to Launch and More; Kick-off Begins with Skylanders Creator, a New, Free Mobile App that Lets Kids Create Skylanders on the Go! 

Santa Monica, Calif. –  Oct. 3, 2016 – Activision Publishing, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Activision Blizzard, Inc. (NASDAQ: ATVI) and Skylanders® Imaginators is dedicating the entire month of October to creation and bringing imaginations to life. The month-long celebration includes the launch of Skylanders Imaginators, this year’s tentpole console game release; Skylanders™ Academy, the Netflix Original series;Skylanders Creator, a new mobile app that allows kids to create characters on-the-go; and much more.

The Countdown to Creation begins with the release of Skylanders™ Creator, a new free mobile app that offers Portal Masters a one-of-a-kind experience to create Imaginator characters on-the-go! Featuring the robust creation tools similar to those available in the console game, players can simply download Skylanders Creator from select iOS and Android mobile devices’ app stores to begin creating Imaginators from scratch – or players can magically transfer their created characters from the console game to the app using state-of-the-art audio technology.

For the first time in toys-to-life history, fans can use Skylanders Creator to immortalize their Skylanders Imaginators creations in a variety of physical forms including:

• 3D Printed Imaginator Figure – Fans can bring their character creations from the digital world to life in the physical world as a 3D printed Skylanders Imaginators figure. The custom-printed Imaginator arrives in full color, posed on a base and enclosed in a clear protective dome -- making it a true collector’s item. The figure is fully playable in the Skylanders Imaginators console game! Quantities are limited for 3D figures.
• Imaginator Card – Fans also have the option to order high-quality, custom made trading cards emblazoned with a full color image of their creation and fully playable in Skylanders Imaginators.  Players simply place the card on the Portal of PowerTM and watch their creations come to life in the videogame.
• Imaginator T-Shirt – Portal Masters can show off their Imaginators on a premium, full- color, customized T-shirt featuring an image of their very own creation, the character’s Battle Class, element and name!

The Skylanders Creator app will feature Timed Imaginite Chests that give users new creation parts for their Imaginators at certain times during the day, daily Sensei Chestsfeaturing special parts unique to that Skylander, a collection menu where players can access all of their created Imaginators, called My Imaginators’ Creation Gallery, and the ability to share created characters with fans around the world. The availability of the Skylanders Creator app features vary by region.

“Since we first pioneered toys-to-life, fans have been clamoring for ways to express their love for Skylanders. Now with the Skylanders Creator app and the launch of Skylanders Imaginators, the sky is the limit,” said Paul Reiche, co-founder and studio head at Toys For Bob. “This year, Skylanders is putting the power of creation in the hands of fans in ways never before imagined, and we can’t wait to see the millions of Imaginators that will be dreamed up by our Portal Masters around the world.” 

The Countdown to Creation month also includes the following:

• CBS Films: Middle School: The Worst Years of My Life – James Patterson’s Middle School: The Worst Years of My Life and Skylanders® have one major thing in common: they’re giving kids the freedom to re-write the rules of play! The two powerhouse entertainment brands are teaming up to celebrate the release of the film Middle School: The Worst Years of My Life on Oct. 7 and the Skylanders Imaginators videogame launch on Oct. 16 in North America. GameStop’s Skylanders® Adventure Club members in the US who pre-order Skylanders Imaginators will receive two free movie tickets to Middle School: The Worst Years of My Life while supplies last between Sept. 24 – Oct. 16, 2016*.

• Skylanders 3D Printed Contest: Starting Oct. 24, Portal Masters can win the opportunity to receive their custom 3D-printed Imaginator figure via a globalSkylanders 3D-printed Imaginator contest.  To participate, fans are encouraged to create an Imaginator in Skylanders Imaginators or using the Skylanders Creator app. Shared creations on social media channels using the dedicated #CreatorContest will be automatically entered to win. 

• “Skylanders Academy” – On Oct. 28, Activision Blizzard Studios in partnership with Netflix will debut “Skylanders Academy,” a new animated action adventure series based on the award-winning Skylanders franchise. The show follows Master Eon as he assembles a ragtag group of heroes to protect the universe from evil-doers Kaos and the Doom Raiders. Jam-packed with humor, heart and memorable moments, “Skylanders Academy” promises to keep viewers on the edge of their seats with epic action for kids of all ages. The new original series will debut worldwide on Netflix with 13 episodes. 

Portal Masters can unleash their imaginations like never before when Skylanders Imaginators launches in North America on October 16! Developed by Toys For Bob and Activision Publishing,  Skylanders Imaginators empowers players to unleash their imaginations by giving them the freedom to create their own Skylander. Kids will enjoy the immense possibilities  available in the game -- including appearance, powers, abilities, names, catchphrases, musical themes and much more -- to create the wildest Skylanders imaginable.  The new game introduces two new guest star characters, Crash Bandicoot® and his arch-nemesis Dr. Neo Cortex, to the lineup of Skylanders Sensei characters as fully-playable toys in Skylanders Imaginators. A fully-playable Kaos toy will be available for free to fans who pre-order and purchase a Skylanders Imaginatorsstarter pack between October 16 – 22, 2016, while supplies last.

Developed by Toys For Bob, Skylanders Imaginators supports all 300+ Skylanders from previous games. The Skylanders Imaginators Starter Pack will be available for the suggested retail price of $74.99.

In North America, 3D-printed Imaginator Figures will be available for the suggested price of $49.99 each; includes free shipping. Limited quantities will be available.  Imaginator T-Shirts will be sold for $24.99 each with availability and shipping costs varying. Lastly, fans can get their hands on Imaginator Cards for $14.99; including free shipping. These items will be available using the Skylanders Creator app, which is a free mobile download, subject to availability by territory.

About the Skylanders® FranchiseThe award-winning, $3 billion Skylanders® franchise has sold through more than 250 million toys1 since pioneering the toys-to-life category in 2011 with the debut ofSkylanders® Spyro’s Adventure. The game originated a play pattern that seamlessly bridged physical and virtual worlds across multiple platforms. In 2012, Skylanders® Giants further evolved the genre and added LightCore® characters to the collection of interaction figures. Skylanders® SWAP Force™, which launched in 2013, introduced an all new play pattern – swapability. In 2014, Skylanders® Trap Team reversed the magic of bringing toys to life by allowing players to pull characters out of the digital world into the physical world and became the number 1 kids’ console game globally1. Skylanders® SuperChargers launched in 2015 and expanded upon the franchise’s signature gameplay to introduce vehicles-to-life for the first time.  

About Activision PublishingHeadquartered in Santa Monica, California, Activision Publishing, Inc. is a leading global producer and publisher of interactive entertainment. Activision maintains operations throughout the world. More information about Activision and its products can be found on the company's website, www.activision.com or by following @Activision.

In-App Screenshots!

Skylanders Battlecast Quick Start Guide & What You Need to Know

So, this just showed up at work this afternoon:

Yup...Skylanders Battlecast is here!  Technically, it was out a day early in the app store, but the cards hit retailers today, Tuesday, May 24th, 2016.  If Battlecast sounds familiar, it should...each Starter Pack for Skylanders SuperChargers included (2) Battlecast Cards, Spitfire and Stealth Elf.

You probably remember the cards now, but might still be wondering just what Battlecast is...hopefully this will help you!

Skylanders Battlecast is a free-to-play mobile game that you can download from Amazon, the Google Play Store, or the App Store for Apple people.  Unlike recent entries that are full games on-par with the consoles, this is different.  That said, it isn't like Battle Grounds, Cloud Patrol, or Lost Islands either.  Skylanders Battlecast is a stand-alone card battling game...yeah, like the super popular entries you watch on Twitch, but with your favorite Skylanders and similarly themed attributes!  Got your attention now?  Good!

Let's keep this simple and run down the basics...you know, the stuff other people overlook that makes you continually rely on me to provide you with the pertinent and thorough details you crave...

Battlecast: The Game

Q: Where Do I Get Skylanders Battlecast?  
A: Amazon (Fire Tablets etc.), Android=Google Play Store, Apple=App Store.

Q: What does Skylanders Battlecast cost?
A: It is free to download and free-to-play, but will offer in-app and external purchases.

Q: Okay, I want the cards...what do the cards cost?
A: While I am unsure of in-app pricing, I can tell you retail pricing...we will cover that soon!

Q: Battlecast is a mobile game...so I can play online with my friend, right?
A: You bet!  Let's take a look at the game modes.

Battlecast: Game Modes

Solo
-Player vs CPU in a Single Player Campaign

Multiplayer
-Casual PvP: Just for fun...play your friends, test decks, hone your skills...no loss in rank points.
-Friends List: Same as above, but ranked play...bring your best deck and A-Game!

Battlecast Cards

So, you are a completionist...a Portal Master supreme...a collector of the rare and exotic...a person with more Skylanders than square footage.  You might be asking yourself, "Well, I've never played a card battling game...might not like it, but the cards are cool and I want to collect them...is there a point?"  Why yes there is!  Similarly, you should give the game a shot too, but let's break down the cards.

There are Four Card Groups

-Character Cards
There are currently 24 Character Cards (Spitfire, Stealth Elf, etc.), that include an assortment of characters from all the games installments.  I have no info on if the game will expand to gradually include more (ie everyone), but I certainly hope so.

Current Roster: 
Air: Stormblade, Jet-Vac, and Whirlwind
Earth: Smash Hit, Crusher, and Flashwing
Fire: Spitfire, Hot Head, and Eruptor
Life: Stealth Elf, Food Fight, and Tree Rex
Magic: Spyro, Pop Fizz, and Ninjini
Tech: Trigger Happy, Jawbreaker, and Countdown
Undead: Hex, Roller Brawl, and Krypt King
Water: Snap Shot, Rip Tide, and Wash Buckler

-Spell Cards
Cast spells, attack enemies, heal, and more.

-Gear Cards
Boost stats or add effects.

-Relic Cards
Can change battle dynamics

Now some of you are thinking, "Cool!" and other are more on the lines of, "Hmm, idk...I really wish there were super rare cards I could try to track down."  Well you are in luck!

Rare, Collectible Cards

You had be expecting this, right?  Well here is what I know so far...

There are Four types of cards

-Common
-Rare
-Epic
-Ultimate

As best I can tell, these are identified by a colored key on the card:
Common=Gray, Rare=Blue, Epic=Purple, and Ultimate=Gold

This likely also corresponds to the Gold and Silver Foil Variants.  I will update as I learn which is which.

Skylanders Battlecast Retail Cards and Pricing

This takes us back to an early question...here is what I can tell you.  The common way to acquire cards will be as follows:

Battle Packs $9.99 
-Two versions are available and each contains 22 cards, including 3 specific character cards
--Battle Pack 1: Spyro, Stormblade, and Snap Shot
--Battle Pack 2: Trigger Happy, Hex, and Smash Hit
---These are can't miss...you literally see a box that has Spyro, or Trigger Happy front and center.  The (3) Skylanders featured are given...the rest of the cards will be random.

Each Battle Pack will include:
-A Deck Box
-22 Cards
-A Trading Shield
-Collection Poster & Beginner's Guide

Battle Pack-Spyro

Battle Pack-Trigger Happy

Once you have made your selection, or OP Battlecastered (is that a word?  It is now!) and acquired both Battle Packs, you can expand your deck by way of Booster Packs.

Booster Packs $4.99-$5.99

Each Booster Pack will contain (8) random cards and a chance to collect the Rare Gold and Silver Foil Variants you will likely seek.  Right now, I only know of (3) different character fronts: Jet-Vac, Eruptor, and Pop Fizz.

Other Options

So, both Battle Packs and Booster Packs aren't enough to satisfy your completionist side?  Here are some other options I have found online:

Ultimate Starter Pack $59.99

The Ultimate Stater Pack is actually a pretty sweet deal if you plan to go all-in on collecting, or get addicted to the gameplay...or both.

Aside from my ultra swanky, hand signed screen-grab, here is a text run down of what you get:
-(2) Battle Packs (Spyro and Trigger Happy)
-(9) Booster Packs
-(1) Sweet Carrying Case

Doing the math you'd have $9.99x2 for the Battle Packs and $4.99 for the Booster Packs.  Simple rounding and quick math dictates these items wound run you $20+$45=$65, so you save around $5 by getting it as a package deal AND you get the sweet carrying case!

Master Box $169.99

So, you sprung for the Ultimate Starter Pack, but you want more...more Booster Packs, more foils, more Spell, Gear, and Relic cards...what is a Portal Master to do?  Well, you could spring for the "Master Box" that consists of 36 Booster Packs!

Simple math of $5x36=$180 so you're saving about $10 right off the bat...and building a ridiculous collection to slaughter your opponents and trade for more!

Initial Impressions

Concept and Packaging

I have to say, I love the packaging!  It is simple, sleek, and enticing.  The prices really aren't that bad either given the fact that the game is free and any add-ons are optional.  I think this hits a nice niche in the Skylanders community that ties in a new game mode that will expose young players and other series veterans to the card based battling games that are quite popular and catchy AND allow those with zero interest in the card game side to collect something else that is easy to display.

Gameplay

Unlike some YouTube personalities, I work a day job totally unrelated to gaming...and this is the busy season.  As such, I have yet to play the game.  I'm seriously typing out this review at 2:15 AM...for me it is more a labor of love than anything.  I will, however, say that I am very excited to give Battlecast a go!  I have never really played the online card battling games and always wanted to see what the buzz was about...this makes that very easy.

Hopes for the Future of Battlecast

I know, it just came out...and I haven't played it...or unboxed anything, but I feel my sentiments will be shared by the hardcore Skylander fans.

PC and Console Presence

First off, and this might be more of a personal desire...I really wish Battlecast was on console and PC, especially PC.  I would love to play it with keyboard and mouse and would not at all mind entering a code, or scanning a card in thru a Portal, or other alternate means.  I get the target audience and the desire to have something mobile, but I'm a bit old school and think that Battlecast on the monitor I'm working from right now would be killer.
Plus, I have no space on my iPad for Battlecast right now...and I will have to update the software.  I will reference this that I am far more of an Android person, but I my tablet is an iPad.  The easiest remedy here would be if Apple wasn't bent on proprietary grounds and would allow for expandable storage.  Case in point, if I had an Android tablet I'd be streaming Battlecast right now.  My phone is maxed out as well, but my reason for not installing there is that I have a new S7 sitting in the box...it has been there like 3 weeks now...as mentioned, work is busy.  The other side of the phone vs tablet is that I have big hands and prefer a tablet, although a smart phone will be ideal for younger hands.

Expanded Roster

Keep in mind, I've yet to open the cards, or play the game, but as I understand it from the Battlecast website there are 24 Skylanders available.  I would really like to see the full roster (past, present, and future games) brought in...even if it is slowly.  An expansion here and there would be awesome and keep the buzz rolling...These updates can also be strategically positioned to help Portal Masters deal with the infamous summer lull between completing last fall's game and waiting for the next main installment.

Frequent Updates

This ties in with the roster expansion, but I feel like a steady stream of updates, even if they are just simple bug fixes, or the like would go a long way towards making the player base feel well taken care of...Small things like throwing in a 4th of July themed battle, or loading message is a nice touch.

Including Cards with Skylanders

This kind of boggled my mind a bit with SuperChagers.  The Starter Packs had Spitfire and Stealth Elf cards...nothing else.  If you bought Smash Hit, no card.  Sky Race Action pack, no card.  And it wasn't just no Battlecast card, but rather no stat card like fans grew accustomed to...

Again, maybe it is more my audience of hardcore players and collectors, but this was a big disappointment...to have a staple, and something people archived in binders and made their own card games to utilize was disheartening.

My hope moving forward is that new Skylanders (ie Single Pack Air Element New Character for Skylanders 6) have cards back...but as Battlecast Cards!  This just makes sense.  Players get their beloved card back with the figure AND have more incentive to download Battlecast and give it a go...You could even put the old fashioned stats on the Battlecast Cards.  It is, in my opinion, a practical choice to further advance Battlecast and satisfy veterans of the series and collectors.

Conclusion

I am VERY excited to open the cards up and play Skylanders Battlecast!  Any videos I do will likely be streamed on Twitch and then exported over to YouTube.  It is my way of getting around having to render out a recording from the iPad...those file sizes are MASSIVE.  Plus, this will let y'all check the game out, see it first hand, provide real time feedback, and to be honest...games like Hearthstone just seem better when they are streamed...I hope Battlecast takes off and becomes a year round staple for the franchise...stay tuned for more coverage!

Update: Unboxing Breakdown

Battle Pack #1 (Spyro)
-Spyro, Snap Shot, and Stormblade (Face up and in-order)
-1 Additional Character Card: Smash Hit
-4 Gear Cards: Ampli-flier, Chromatic Bauble, Magma Core, and Ten Gallon Hat
-1 Relic Card: Noxious Firebrand
-14 Spell Cards: About to Blow, Abra-Kaboom, Beam Barrage, Eon's Might, Growth Spurt, Hoot Shot, Jinxed, Leafy Greens, Melt Down, Rock Roll'd, Snow Blind, Tidal Wave, Trial by Fire
--16 Commons
--4 Rares: Ten Gallon Hat, About to Blow, Melt Down, Tidal Wave
--2 Epics: Growth Spurt, Rock Roll'd
--0 Ultimate
--0 Foils

Booster Pack #1 (Jet-Vac External Art, Eruptor on the Pack)
-4 Character Cards: Food Fight, Jet-Vac, Smash Hit, and Stealth Elf
-1 Relic Card: Ageless Bonsai
-3 Spell Cards: Buurrrp!, Raise Your Hands, Snow Blind
--5 Commons
--2 Rare (Blue): Food Fight and Jet-Vac
--1 Epic (Purple): Relic-Ageless Bonsai
--0 Ultimate
--0 Foils

Battle Pack #2 (Trigger Happy)
Trigger Happy, Hex, and Smash Hit
-0 Additional Character Cards
-2 Gear Cards: Ampli-Flier and Titan's Hilt
-1 Relic Card: Prophetic Pick
-16 Spell Cards: Abra-Kaboom, All You Can Eat, Back to Your Roots, Beam Barrage, Bloom, Boo!, Concussion, Flame Wave, Impending Doom, Jellyfish Squall, Rummage, Slice of Life, Too Hot to Handle, Torchnado, Whirl and Swirl, and Wishful Thinking
--16 Commons
--4 Rare (Blue): Titan's Hilt, Prophetic Pick, All You Can Eat, and Whirl and Swirl
--2 Epic (Purple): Back to Your Roots and Slice of Life
--0 Ultimate
--0 Foils

Booster Pack #2: (Pop Fizz External Art, Eruptor on the Pack)
-1 Character Card: Jawbreaker
-1 Gear Card: Ampli-Flier
-0 Relic Cards
-6 Spell Cards: Chuggernaut, Fireball, Fire Hose, Fuel for the Fire, Rock Solid, and Wishful Thinking
--5 Commons
--2 Rare (Blue): Jawbreaker and Chuggernaut
--1 Epic (Purple): Fire Hose
--0 Ultimate
--0 Foils

Skylanders Battlecast Announced: Trailer & Press Release

Skylanders BattleCast Official Trailer

*Official Press Release Below*

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

SKYLANDERS, LEADER OF THE TOYS-TO-LIFE CATEGORY,

 BRINGS CARDS TO LIFE WITH SKYLANDERS BATTLECAST

Skylanders Delivers Brand-New Adventure with

Free-to-Play Mobile Card Battle Game

SANTA MONICA, Calif. - August 18, 2015 - Activision Publishing, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Activision Blizzard, Inc. (NASDAQ: ATVI), is setting out to create a legendary league of card battlers with the mobile card battle game, Skylanders Battlecast.  Created by the pioneers of the toys-to-life videogame category, Skylanders Battlecast brings cards to life in a new free-to-play mobile adventure, set within the Skylanders universe. The game offers everything from collectibility to strategic card combat, online PvP and an exciting single-player campaign, appealing to both Skylanders fans and classic card battle enthusiasts. Skylanders Battlecast lets players create a team of their favorite heroes and build the ultimate deck for battle.  Fans can master strategic card combinations to become a champion of Skylands.

"Built from the ground up to bring Skylanders to life on mobile devices, Skylanders Battlecast combines physical card play with mobile gaming in an all-new way," says Eric Hirshberg, CEO, Activision Publishing, Inc.  "This is our biggest investment, and one of our most magical ideas yet, for the Skylanders franchise on mobile."

For Skylanders Battlecast, players can purchase physical card packs at retail, as well as digital card packs in-game.  Players will experience a magic moment by scanning cards with their mobile devices and watching them come to life.  Additionally, fans can scan two character cards to create animated duels in which players can physically interact with the characters.

"We are bringing physical cards to life in an exciting new way. Activision has assembled a team of experts across video game design, physical card game design, pro card players and top card artists to develop an amazing new experience," says Josh Taub, senior vice president, product management, Activision Publishing. "With Skylanders Battlecast, fans can expect the amazing creativity, innovation and fun that Skylanders games are known for delivering."

Coming in 2016, Skylanders Battlecast will be available via the App Store, Google Play and the Amazon Appstore.

*End Press Release*

So, what are your thoughts?  Are you going all in on this one?  Are you dreading it because you know you'll collect them all, or are you up for the challenge Portal Master?  I definitely plan to give the game a shot and I personally think it has a lot of potential to be a very fun, addicting game!

Later tonight I will be adding a dedicated subforum for Battlecast on the Skylander Club Forum, so look for that...in the mean time, you can join in here:
http://www.skylanderclub.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=34&t=494

Lastly, let's take a look at some of the images we've got:

Back of the Cards

^The design is stellar in my opinion!^

Character Side

^Let's see if these match card/in game stats!^

In-App Gameplay

Skylanders SWAP Force Unboxing Series 3 Twin Blade Chop Chop

What?  Twin Blade Chop Chop, Undead Element, Series 3 Skylander
Where Did You Get It? Toys'R'Us
What Did It Cost? $10.99 plus tax (BOGO40%)
What Was Stock Like? Well Stocked!
What is Included?  Twin Blade Chop Chop, Stat Card, and Sticker Sheet

Unboxing S3 Twin Blade Chop Chop

Twin Blade Chop Chop
Undead Element, Series 3 Skylander

Slogan: "Slice and Dice!"

Card Stats
Power: 95/200
Armor: 130/200
Agility: 70/200
Luck: 25/200
Totals: 320/800