Disney Infinity (video game)

Disney Infinity is an action-adventure sandbox video game developed by Avalanche Software and published by Disney Interactive Studios.^[2] It was announced in 2010 and developed for approximately $100 million. Similar to Activision's Skylanders franchise, the game uses collectible figurines that are then synchronized with the game, allowing for characters from Disney and Pixar properties to interact and go on adventures.^[3] The game was released for Xbox 360, PlayStation 3, Wii, Wii U, and Nintendo 3DS in August 2013. A PC version of Toy Box was also released on November 14, 2013.

Disney Infinity
Box art and figurines of Disney Infinity, featuring the Starter Pack characters; Jack Sparrow, Mr. Incredible, and James P. Sullivan.
Developer(s)	Avalanche Software
Publisher(s)	Disney Interactive Studios Namco Bandai Games (Japan)[1] Microsoft Studios (Xbox 360, Windows)
Platform(s)	Nintendo 3DS, PlayStation 3, Wii, Wii U, Xbox 360, PC, iOS
Release	PS3, Xbox 360, Wii, Wii U, 3DS Windows iPad
Genre(s)	Action-adventure
Mode(s)	Single-player, multiplayer

Disney Infinity is an action-adventure game with physical toys, open world creation and story-driven gameplay. Characters, play-sets and other features are brought into the game using figurines and discs with the included Infinity Base. With the exception of non-humanoid characters, such as those from the Cars series, each character has a double jump and a default set of attacks, as well as an ability unique to each figure. For example, Sulley can roar to scare others whilst Violet and randy can turn invisible. There are two main modes in this game: Play Set^[4] and Toy Box.^[5] Each play set is essentially a self-contained world with its own gameplay, based on a specific movie or series with recognizable characters and storylines. Characters from one world cannot enter into another world, but players can put any characters together in Toy Box mode. Toy Box is a sandbox mode that players can fully customize and explore.

Play Set Mode

There are a number of play sets available which are accessed via placing the relevant play set piece onto the Infinity Base. Some examples include Pirates of the Caribbean, Monsters University, The Incredibles, Cars, The Lone Ranger, and Toy Story. These play sets have their own unique campaign, which can be played with up to two players. However, only characters from a specific franchise can play in their respective play-set (for example, Mr. Incredible can't be used in the Pirates of the Caribbean play set), meaning two figures from the same series are required to play a play-set in split-screen multiplayer.^[4] Playing through play set unlocks objects and vehicles that can be used in the Toy Box mode.

Toy Box mode

Toy Box mode^[6] allows players to create their own game in an open-world arena. Players can mix and match everything that is unlocked within each of the play-sets including characters, weapons and gadgets. By unlocking new content in the Disney Infinity play-sets, players are able to build their own worlds and essentially create their own game.^[6] There are various "adventures" in this mode, which help teach the player how to use the mode's tools. Players can also earn "spins" by playing through play sets or leveling up their characters, which can be used to unlock additional items. The mode supports online multiplayer, in which players can play around with items that only the other player has, albeit only during that session.

A portable Toy Box became available in late 2013, exclusively for the iPad.^[7] A version of the Toy Box is also available for the Microsoft Windows personal computer. These versions of the Toy Box utilize the web codes included with each Disney Infinity character.

Infinity Base and figurines

The Starter Pack^[8] edition of the game is bundled with three figurines and an Infinity Base.^[2] The Infinity Base has two round spots to place figurines, and a hexagonal spot to place world discs. When the figurines are placed on the Infinity Base, the characters are imported into the game, while world discs unlock Play Sets.^[5]

Power discs

Power Discs are discs that can be placed on the Infinity Base along with their characters to add new elements to the game. Players can use up to three environment enhancements (Hexagonal Power Discs) that can only be used in the toy box mode and up to two character enhancements (Circular Power Discs) per character. The environment enhancements can alter the terrain, change the background "sky", add new vehicles or add new weapons. The character enhancements will alter things about the character such as damage done, replenish health, allow for faster experience gain for leveling and so on. One Power Disc is included with the Starter Pack whilst additional discs are sold in blind bags each containing two discs.^[9]

PC Version

Following a delay, the PC version of Disney Infinity was released on November 14, 2013. This version is available free of charge and can be downloaded from the official Disney Infinity website. This version originally contained only the game's Toy Box mode, similar to the iPad version. However, a patch was released on February 28, 2014 that added in all six Play Sets, putting it on par with the console versions. ^[10] The game features several changes from the console version, however. The game does not support the Infinity Base. Instead, characters are unlocked either by purchasing them from the Disney Infinity website (at a discounted rate, due to the lack of a physical figurine) or by redeeming a web code card included with the physical figurines. Since Power Discs do not come with web codes, they must be purchased from the PC Shop. The game also does not support multiplayer, though players can link up with the console version to share Toy Boxes between the two versions.^[11][12]

Wii version

Due to the space limitations of the Wii platform, some design decisions had to be made in the game. The gameplay does not have online play or multiplayer in Playsets, but there is multiplayer in Toy Box.^[13] That means that there is smaller playset worlds and no downloadable or shareable toy box worlds. Toy Box has six different worlds, each with different toys and tools.^[14]

Nintendo 3DS version

Different from the console and PC versions, the Nintendo 3DS version of the game is a party game, in which up to four players play on various themed game boards and participate in various minigames. The Toy Box mode can be used to create new game boards. This version uses its own Infinity Base, which has only one character slot compared to the console version, and connects to the 3DS wirelessly.^[15]

The following is a list of character figurines that have been released and announced for Disney Infinity. The starter pack, which includes the game and Infinity Base, contains figures for Sulley, Jack Sparrow, and Mr. Incredible, and three playsets based on Monsters University, Pirates of the Caribbean, and The Incredibles. Additional figures and playsets are sold in special packs, whilst certain figures are sold separately.^[16]

^a : Also available in a translucent variant, as part of the "Infinite" series, exclusive to Toys 'R Us.
^b : Timed exclusive at Walmart.
^c : Timed exclusive at GameStop.
^d : Timed exclusive at Best Buy.
^e : Timed exclusive at Target Corporation.

Xbox One, PlayStation 4 potential

Developer Avalanche Software stated that Disney Infinity toys will be supported on Xbox One and PlayStation 4 consoles, and future next generation versions of Disney Infinity will likely result in a game that will be "way more beautiful", offer "a whole lot more" content, "or both."^[17] Disney Interactive Studios has not confirmed development and no release dates have been set for possible Xbox One and PlayStation 4 versions.

Disney Infinity received mostly positive reviews from critics. It received a 74 and 75 out of 100 on review aggregrator site Metacritic, for PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360 respectively.^[22][23]

The sandbox mode, namely the Toy Box Mode, received much praise. Steven O'Donnell of Good Game: Spawn Point stated that "it's a bit like Minecraft in that you're dropped into an open world that you can then build some pretty spectacular structures in."^[36] Kevin VanOrd of GameSpot called the Toy Box "a gleefully entertaining shared space," and greatly preferred it over the story mode.^[29]

The figurines of the playable characters received mixed to positive reactions. Daniel Krupa of IGN said that they're "well-made statues," and that "each one really captures the personality of that character with a charismatic stance."^[31] The soundtrack and dialogue of Disney Infinity also received mixed reactions. Andrew Reiner of Game Informer said that "characters repeat dialogue way too often," and that the soundtrack is "often surprisingly absent."^[31] Andy Robertson of Forbes stated that his children loved playing the figurines, both in the game and as toys.^[37]

The overall price of the game and all of the toys received media coverage. Jeff Cork of Game Informer said that to purchase all items at the launch (the game, all launch toys and power discs) it costs a minimum of AUD$460.^[38] Kevin VanOrd of GameSpot called Disney Infinity "a platform designed to keep you spending money."^[29] Nick Cowen of The Guardian warned parents to "get ready with those wallets."^[39]

In September 2013, Disney revealed that the game had sold 294,000 copies in the United States during its first two weeks on sale.^[40]

On October 18, 2013, Disney Interactive announced that the game had sold more than one million copies worldwide. With more figures not yet released, Disney hopes the number of units sold will continue to grow.^[41] As of January 20, 2014, three million starter packs has been sold.^[42]

The game has been nominated for a Nickelodeon Kids Choice Awards in 2014, along with Angry Birds Star Wars, Just Dance 2014, and Minecraft.

• Official website
• Disney Infinity at IMDb