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Forums - Nintendo Discussion - Activision wanted to team up with Nintendo for Skylanders - Another third-party missed opportunity?

Despite its confidence and its cash, Activision was looking for a partner to help spread the risks of the new venture.

Nintendo, flush with the success of Wii, also with experience of the toy business, and with a reputation for "blue sky thinking," seemed like the perfect choice. Toys for Bob journeyed to Nintendo of America's offices to present the idea, very early in its development cycle.

"We had been directed towards thinking about something that would play well with Nintendo," says Ford. "I think there was some co-marketing money and the Wii was doing well. They had some success with peripherals."

"They spent a long time looking and looking," says Reiche. "They were just like 'we have never seen anything like this before.' I've always wondered about the full meaning of that comment [laughs]." Although there was a limited co-marketing deal, Nintendo did not want to make a full commitment to Skylanders. "We have no idea why," says Reiche. "Clearly, they have got properties well suited to this world. Why it is that they didn't rush in here will probably haunt them for the rest of their days."

A Nintendo-exclusive would have changed the shape of the project considerably, as well as adding the complexity of a business partner with a reputation for desiring granular control. It was a disappointment, at the time. Now, it looks like a fortunate escape.

Reiche is still surprised that the entertainment giant which reacted most quickly was Disney, which launched Disney Infinity in 2013 and is looking to expand the franchise. "Nintendo could have kicked Disney's ass," says Reiche. "If I was running Nintendo I would have jumped on this."

Full story: http://www.polygon.com/2014/4/16/5614716/skylanders-story-toys-for-bob-skylanders-swap-force

Nintendo goofed



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I don`t think Nintendo is waiting any longer. I bet one NFC game will allow for figurines to add a new level to the game - like physical DLC, if you will.



Intriguing.

It looks as though Nintendo still has a corner on the NFC market though, especially Skylanders

Though honestly, would Skylanders been just as successful as a Nintendo exclusive?



I predict NX launches in 2017 - not 2016

I think its pretty obvious Nintendo is working on their own version of a toy+videogames business.

And really, does anyone here really care about skylanders? Its a kid's game.



What is really happening at nintendo? Are they really this arrogant? If so then they deserve this bashing from fans and community.



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daredevil.shark, i don`t think it`s got anything to do with arrogance. Nintendo isnb`t the only company to reject ideas. Maybe you don`t know but the idea for the Wii Remote was first presented to MS and Sony and both rejected it. Nintendo took it.
Things like this probably more often than we think.

We don`t know why they rejected the idea. Maybe at the time it made sense to reject it.



Nem said:
I think its pretty obvious Nintendo is working on their own version of a toy+videogames business.

And really, does anyone here really care about skylanders? Its a kid's game.


I doubt anyone does care about Skylanders here, apart from maybe buying it for a kid, nephew, younger brother etc.  I thought it was interesting because it is another possible example of Nintendo failing in third party relations.



They could have done this for pokemon if they weren't so damn lazy.



Nintendo doing what they do best >_>



I predict that the Wii U will sell a total of 18 million units in its lifetime. 

The NX will be a 900p machine

DélioPT said:
daredevil.shark, i don`t think it`s got anything to do with arrogance. Nintendo isnb`t the only company to reject ideas. Maybe you don`t know but the idea for the Wii Remote was first presented to MS and Sony and both rejected it. Nintendo took it.
Things like this probably more often than we think.

We don`t know why they rejected the idea. Maybe at the time it made sense to reject it.


Completely agree with you. Bur nintendo's rejection seems to be higher. But I am not interested then in anymore because I got bored over with nintendo.