Startups: Driving Innovation in the Toys-to-Life and Gaming Industries

Today, I want to talk to you about how startups are bringing exciting new ideas and innovation to the toys-to-life and gaming industries. It’s pretty cool how these young and creative companies are shaking things up!

In case you didn’t know, the toys-to-life industry is all about bringing physical toys into the digital gaming world. Companies like Skylanders and LEGO Dimensions make toys that you can actually use in video games! It’s like being able to bring your favorite characters and objects to life on your gaming console.

Now, you might be wondering why the big players in these industries are turning to startups for fresh ideas. Well, let me tell you! Startups are known for their out-of-the-box thinking and their ability to take risks. They don’t have the same restrictions and rules as the big companies, so they can come up with some really unique and exciting concepts.

One of the reasons why startups are so good at what they do is because they are made up of passionate and dedicated individuals. These people love what they do, and that shines through in their work. They are not afraid to think differently and take a chance on something new.

Innovation is the name of the game in the toys-to-life and gaming industries, and startups are leading the way. Their fresh ideas and unique approaches are pushing the boundaries of what we thought was possible in the world of gaming. It’s really amazing to see how the industry is evolving and changing because of their contributions.

So next time you’re playing a video game and using a toy to control your character, remember that it was probably a startup that came up with that idea. Startups are the driving force behind the innovation in the toys-to-life and gaming industries, and I can’t wait to see what they come up with next!

In the world of gaming and toys, there are a few big companies that have always seemed to hold all the power. They control the shelves in stores and the traffic online. But things are starting to change. A new trend called Toys-to-Life is leveling the playing field for small businesses and solopreneurs like me and you.

Toys-to-Life is when physical toys can be used in digital games. It all started in 2011 with a game called Skylanders from a company called Activision. Since then, this industry has grown like crazy, making over $8 billion in revenue by 2013. Even big names like Disney and Lego thought they could dominate the toys-to-life world. But it turns out, that’s not the case. Disney actually left the whole gaming industry earlier this year, including toys-to-life.

When people first heard that Disney was leaving, they believed it signaled the downfall of the whole movement. But now, we see that new startups are rising up and telling a totally different story. It turns out that Disney, with all its size and experience, might have been holding back the industry from truly innovating.

On the other hand, entrepreneurs and small businesses are actually finding success in the toy and gaming industries. Take Jia Shen, for example. He’s the CEO and founder of PowerCore, a company that creates digitally activated toys for gaming. Recently, at DesignerCon in Pasadena, California, Shen and his team joined forces with other exhibitors in a digital scavenger hunt to show how augmented reality can go beyond just games like Pokemon Go.

Exciting Examples of Innovative Toys-To-Life

Revitalizing Older Franchises

I want to talk about something really cool happening in the toy and gaming industries. It’s called Toys-to-Life, and it’s bringing back some of our favorite franchises that might have faded away. Let me explain.

Imagine partnering with well-known brands like Mattel, Animoca Brands, and Super7 to create a line of special character cards. These cards actually activate powerups in a brand new mobile game called He-Man Tappers of Greyskull. How does it work? Well, the cards have a special technology called NFC (near-field-communication) that allows them to be scanned by the game.

Why is this so exciting? Because it creates a whole new way to play with our favorite characters. We can collect these character cards and power-ups, which make the game even more fun and exciting. It’s like getting to be a part of the adventure ourselves!

The Secret Power of Toys

Using 3D Printing to Innovate Faster

I want to talk to you about this awesome thing called 3D printing. It’s helping big companies come up with new ideas and toys much quicker than before. Want to know how? Let me explain!

So, these big companies are starting to work with smaller companies that specialize in 3D printing. With their help, these big companies can create prototypes of all kinds of toys, both regular and those that can be activated digitally. But why are they doing this?

Well, it turns out that making these prototypes can be really tricky. You need a lot of knowledge about engineering and computer science. It’s not something that just anyone can pick up. That means that if these big companies wanted to do it themselves, they would have to hire a whole new team of experts. And that’s a big hassle!

Instead, these companies are finding it easier to work with startup companies that are already experts in 3D printing. These startup companies have the skills and knowledge to meet the demands of the bigger organizations. It’s a win-win situation!

Helping Designers Get Creative

All of these changes are making things better for designers, game makers, and bigger brands. When small businesses in the toy and gaming industries team up with larger companies, they can get things they wouldn’t be able to otherwise. And at the same time, the big companies can use the new ideas and quickness of startups to make things that people want.

Conclusion

The way startups and established toy brands work together is a good example of how other industries can come up with new ideas. Things change fast these days, and startups are often the ones making those changes. If big companies want to stay important during these changes, and if startups want help when they’re just starting out, working together can be a win for everyone.