Ubisoft and Aardman are teaming up to produce a pilot and several shorts based on Ubisoft’s video game characters, the Rabbids. In addition to video games, the characters have been featured in a series of viral internet videos and as plush toys.
Aardman Digital, Aardman’s in-house digital agency, and Ubisoft previously worked together on the Raving Rabbids brand, creating the website dedicated to the upcoming video game Raving Rabbids Travel In Time, to be released November 21 in the U.S.
MGA Entertainment has responded to claims by Innovation First that allege MGA copied its Hexbug Nano line. In a press release, MGA stated that Innovation First has not served the company with a lawsuit. MGA is also stating that Innovation First admitted, as part of a sworn testimony last month to a federal judge in Los Angeles, that “the outward appearance of the current ‘Legend of Nara Battling Bugs’ toys from MGA . . . is substantially different from the outward appearance of the Hexbug Nano that the trade dress and copyright laws do not appear to be implicated.” MGA says that at the testimony Innovation First did not have any infringement claims against MGA’s Nara Bug. MGA is seeking a dismissal of the lawsuit.
Head Shotz, by Silverlit Toys, is a new line of collectible characters that compete in an R/C battle. Targeted to boys ages 5 to 9, the R/C characters roll, battle, open to attack, and can shut down their opponents’ ability to function. The line is set to launch with four characters and three battle groups in fall 2011.
For more Fall Toy Preview coverage, pick up The Toy Book‘s September/October issue!
All-Natural Spa Day is the sleepover/spa day/mommy-and-me version of SmartLab’s All-Natural Spa Lab. With the kit, kids can explore the natural science behind beauty. Before spa day, party planners can send out invitations to friends or family members, and when the big day comes they can participate in spa-themed activities and take home ribbon-wrapped presents.
The kit includes six project cards, bags of citric acid, four large-lidded pots, four small-lidded pots, four stir spoons, four headbands, four floral-shaped bath bomb molds, four pillow boxes with ribbon and sticks to package the bath bombs, glitter, a glitter scoop, three invitations, and a party-planning guide.
For more Fall Toy Preview coverage, pick up The Toy Book‘s September/October issue!
According to a new report by the National Retail Federation (NRF), holiday retail sales are expected to increase 2.3 percent this year to $447.1 billion. Last year holiday sales increased 0.4 percent compared to 2008. In 2008, holiday sales declined 3.9 percent compared to 2007. The NRF reports that retailers are expected to focus on inventory control to limit unplanned markdowns. The NRF also expects new channels, such as mobile, to drive sales and provide added service.
Parents magazine and Manhattan Toy will debut their new educational toy line at ABC Kids Expo, to be held October 10-13 in Las Vegas. The Parents toy collection features an array of preschool developmental toys that encourage musical interests, stimulate imaginations, and encourage role play. Made of soft materials and sturdy wood, the Parents toy line includes an activity cart, activity center, scooter, soft toys, and more. New additions to the line will launch in January.
On October 10 (10-10-10), Bratz will be featured on the YouTube homepage as MGA Entertainment unveils the first-ever Bratz webisode from its new web series, Bratz Rock. The series of 11 episodes follows Bratz girls Yasmin, Cloe, Sasha, and Jade as they enter a song contest held by their idol and celebrity, Whisper. As the Bratz girls get closer to finishing a song for the contest, they also get closer to finding out who Whisper really is.
The first episode, “Whispers in the Schoolyard,” launches exclusively on the front page of YouTube on October 10. MGA is also celebrating the brand’s 10th anniversary by introducing 10 new Bratz dolls. Each doll, complete with an individual personality and unique outfit, will feature new points of articulation, making them more poseable.
Mega Brands has signed on to develop construction toys based on the new boys action series, Generator Rex. The full line of toys will be distributed to international markets as part of the three-year deal. The construction toy line will launch in the U.S. next fall (2011) and then will roll out in additional territories. The global deal marks the first time Mega has partnered with Cartoon Network Enterprises (CNE).
Generator Rex follows Rex, a 15-year-old typical teenager with abnormal powers, as he uses his superhuman abilities to help fight mutant creatures known as EVOs. The series airs Fridays on Cartoon Network at 8:30 p.m ET/PT.
Jakks Pacific’s new line of Disney Princess character dolls is now available at Toys “R” Us stores nationwide. The Princess & Me doll collection is a new assortment of 18-inch dolls, fashions, accessories, and dress-up products. The line is the brand’s first foray into the large doll category, and is targeted towards girls ages 5 to 8.
For the first time, girls can dress their Disney Princess dolls in sleepwear and ballet outfits that are designed in their signature colors and styles. Also available from Jakks’ Creative Designs International (CDI) division are mimicking dress-up outfits for girls.
Top Trumps card games are similar to War, which is played with normal playing cards. But instead of featuring a number and a suit, Top Trumps cards feature statistics such as speed, skill, strength, and more that coincide with the theme of the deck. The object of the game is to beat—or trump—your opponent’s card by choosing your best stat for that card. The player that trumps wins the card, and the game keeps going until a player wins the entire deck.
New Top Trumps card games for 2011 will include Moshi Monsters, Go Go Crazy Bones, Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, Top Trumps Activity Super Hero Squad, and Top Trumps Tournament Marvel.
For more Fall Toy Preview coverage, pick up The Toy Book‘s September/October issue!