Disney unveils own 'Skylanders'-like franchise

[January 16, 2013]  LOS ANGELES (AP) -- The Walt Disney Co. has revealed plans to launch a new endeavor combining a video game with a toy line.

Similar to Activision's successful "Skylanders" franchise, "Disney Infinity" will blend real-life toy figures depicting various Disney characters with a sprawling virtual world where those same characters can do things like race cars, play games and construct buildings together, as well as go on adventures in their own realms.

"Infinity" will be available for the Xbox 360, PlayStation 3, Wii, Wii U, PC, online and on tablets and smartphones. It's being crafted by Disney-owned developer Avalanche Software, which created the 2010 game based on "Toy Story 3." That game's "toy box" mode served as inspiration for what eventually became "Infinity."

"Infinity" is set to debut in June.

[Associated Press; By DERRIK J. LANG]

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