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Infinity proves fleeting as Disney exits console game publishing, shutters developer

Danny Cowan
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Disney has halted development of its multiplatform Disney Infinity games, ending production of all tie-in figures and shuttering series developer Avalanche Software as part of its announced withdrawal from the console gaming industry.

Disney will cut more than 300 jobs with Avalanche Software’s closure, and the company will shift to a licensing model for all future console games featuring Disney properties. Disney itself will continue to publish games for mobile platforms.

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“After a thorough evaluation, we have modified our approach to console gaming and will transition exclusively to a licensing model,” Disney Consumer Products and Interactive Media Chairman Jimmy Pitaro told Wired. “This shift in strategy means we will cease production of Disney Infinity, where the lack of growth in the toys-to-life market, coupled with high development costs, has created a challenging business model.”

Released in 2013 as a competitor to Activision’s figure-powered Skylanders games, Disney Infinity featured a cast of playable characters from Disney’s films and legacy franchises, including The Incredibles, Cars, and Monsters Inc. Players summon their chosen characters in-game by purchasing and scanning near-field communication-equipped figures sold separately at retail.

Disney Infinity sequels featuring characters from the Marvel Comics universe and the Star Wars franchise premiered in 2014 and 2015, respectively. Last year’s Disney Infinity 3.0 Edition is the final series entry.

“From the beginning, Disney Infinity was built for you — our fans — and I wanted to take a moment to thank you not just for your support over the years, but for creating a community that made Disney Infinity more than just a game,” Disney Infinity series General Manager John Blackburn said on Disney Interactive’s official website. “Our goal for Disney Infinity was to bring the best of Disney storytelling to life in homes around the world, and with your support we accomplished that. We hope you had as much fun playing the game as we had making it.”

Blackburn notes that two final Disney Infinity figure shipments will hit retail in the coming months as production winds down at Disney Interactive. Three new character figures based on Alice Through the Looking Glass will launch later this month, while a Finding Dory Play Set is set to premiere in June.

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Danny Cowan
Danny Cowan
Contributor
Danny’s passion for video games was ignited upon his first encounter with Nintendo’s Duck Hunt, and years later, he still…
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