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Disney announces new interactive gaming concept called Disney Infinity [Orlando Sentinel](Orlando Sentinel (FL) Via Acquire Media NewsEdge) Jan. 16--For Disney interactive gaming, the path ahead is clear: It's to "infinity" and beyond. Disney Interactive today announced its much-anticipated gaming initiative, Disney Infinity. For anyone familiar with the wildly popular "Skylanders" gaming concept, Disney's new interaction version will be readily recognizable and, given the Disney brand, instantly popular, too. Here's how the concept works: Disney Infinity allows users to collect physical Disney character figures, place them on an electronic base and then interact with the characters in video gaming worlds accessed through console gaming systems such as Nintendo Wii, Nintendo Wii-U, Xbox 360, Playstation 3 and personal computers. The game system, developed by Avalanche Software, will be available in June, and there will be a mobile component to the gaming system, too. When the plastic Disney characters are placed on the "Disney Infinity Base" units, players will collect characters, gadgets and upgrades, and they'll be able to save them all to a virtual "toy box," which users can access to create storylines and character environments across all available franchises. These Disney and Pixar franchises include characters and storylines from "Monsters, Inc.," "Pirates of the Caribbean" and "The Incredibles." More characters will be released in the future. A starter pack will sell for $74.99; a play-set pack will go for $34.99; and individual Disney Infinity figures will sell for $12.99. The game, which will feature individual and co-opt play, is not yet rated. According to an article by Forbes, Disney is banking on Infinity to make put its interactive gaming unit on the path to profitability. Last year, the unit lost $216 million. Meanwhile, the Skylanders gaming concept has brought in $500 million so far for its owners, the article states. Check out the great video promo here. ___ (c)2013 The Orlando Sentinel (Orlando, Fla.) Visit The Orlando Sentinel (Orlando, Fla.) at www.OrlandoSentinel.com Distributed by MCT Information Services |