Skylanders, the popular toys-to-life video game series, has been on hiatus since 2016. Activision has not released any new games or figures since then, and while the franchise has not been officially canceled, there are currently no public plans for its continuation.
Skylanders was a pioneering force in the toys-to-life genre, combining physical toy figures with video game play. Players could place their Skylanders figures onto a “Portal of Power,” which would then bring the characters to life in the game. The series was developed by Toys for Bob and published by Activision, with the first game, “Skylanders: Spyro’s Adventure,” released in 2011. It was an instant success, appealing to both younger audiences and collectors, thanks to its innovative integration of physical toys with the digital gaming experience.
The franchise expanded over the years with multiple sequels, including “Skylanders Giants,” “Skylanders Swap Force,” “Skylanders Trap Team,” “Skylanders SuperChargers,” and “Skylanders Imaginators.” Each installment introduced new gameplay mechanics and figures, keeping the series fresh and engaging for its fans.
Despite its initial success, the Skylanders series began to face challenges. The toys-to-life market became saturated with competitors like Disney Infinity and LEGO Dimensions, leading to a decline in sales. The production costs associated with manufacturing the physical toys also contributed to the series’ challenges, as did the shift in consumer interest towards digital-only content and free-to-play models.
The last main installment, “Skylanders Imaginators,” was released in 2016, and since then, the series has seen no new developments. The mobile game “Skylanders: Ring of Heroes” was released in 2019, but it did not feature the toys-to-life element that was central to the original series.
While the future of Skylanders remains uncertain, the series has left a lasting impact on the gaming industry. It inspired other franchises to explore the toys-to-life concept and demonstrated the potential for merging physical products with digital entertainment. Fans of the series continue to hope for a revival, but as of now, Skylanders remains a beloved but dormant franchise.