Topic: Skylanders: Trap Team for Wii comes with Wii U Download code?!?

[UncleBob]

This is interesting...



Apparently, in Germany, at least, the Wii version of Trap Team comes with a digital download code for the Wii U version?  Neat.

[lolmonade]

So…..if this ends up being worldwide, my assumption is that there's going to be an extremely limited number of Wii U copies of the game.  I see it less as an encouragement for those with Wiis to upgrade, and more a way for Activision to limit how many of their Wii U SKU to distribute.

[UncleBob]

I wondered that myself.  There doesn't seem to be much reason to buy a Wii U-only SKU.

I'm actually more interested if there will even be a Wii U-only SKU.

[UncleBob]

Crazy thought. If the Wii U version is included as a free download with the Wii version - there's virtually no reason for anyone to purchase a Wii U package. Buy the Wii version, download the Wii U game and sell off the Wii disc or whatever. The only reason to buy the Wii U SKU is if you're a crazed collector who wants one of every version or if you really don't like digital downloads.

There are three options:

One - Don't do a Wii U-only SKU. I mean, it's not like Wii U sales are super-crazy anyway.
Two - Do a Wii U SKU and short-ship it. Retailers are reluctant to stock Wii U stuff anyway.
Three - Do a Wii U SKU and include something extra to make it worth picking up. Like a special figure... or, maybe, an English translation of the Wii U version of Spyro's Adventure that was released in Japan (in Japanese, of course).

To double up that - the XBox One and PS4 sales of SWAP Force were... lackluster. I wonder if the PS3/X360 sets might come with PS4/XBO download codes...

[NWR_insanolord]

They're probably less worried about that kind of thing since the game is built around proprietary hardware. If you buy it and then give the other version to someone else that's twice as many people to sell figures to.

[UncleBob]

Which supports my marketing plan of making cheap but top-tier downloadable titles that utilize the figures and make the value of purchasing them even more enticing to customers...

[NWR_insanolord]

So your plan involves giving away games for free or very little cost but leveraging them in order to get people to pay small amounts of money to unlock certain functionality?

[Shaymin]

I think they'll have a WiiU retail version in North America but maybe do this in Europe where WiiU software sales are, to put it in European terms, "shite".

[UncleBob]

Yup.  It works on mobile.

But beyond that, think of a 8-bit-esque platformer where every character you "load" into the game unlocks a new level (and you can use all 150+ figures in each of those levels).

How about a Pokemon: TCG-eqsue game where each character you load unlocks a different "booster" pack of cards that you could mix-and-match to play against others online?

A Kart-Racer where adding in figures unlocks different karts, levels and drivers.

A puzzle game (less non-ending Tetris-like, more set-solution puzzles like Picross) where loading in characters unlocks more and more puzzles.

They've done a little bit of this with the cell phone games, [the one I've played isn't anything to get excited over (and hardly utilizes anything with loading different figures in) - and the other two aren't on Android - one has pretty lackluster reviews, the other seems somewhat popular.], but more console-based and *more* to them.

[pokepal148]

Yup.  It works on mobile.

But beyond that, think of a 8-bit-esque platformer where every character you "load" into the game unlocks a new level (and you can use all 150+ figures in each of those levels).

How about a Pokemon: TCG-eqsue game where each character you load unlocks a different "booster" pack of cards that you could mix-and-match to play against others online?

A Kart-Racer where adding in figures unlocks different karts, levels and drivers.

A puzzle game (less non-ending Tetris-like, more set-solution puzzles like Picross) where loading in characters unlocks more and more puzzles.

They've done a little bit of this with the cell phone games, [the one I've played isn't anything to get excited over (and hardly utilizes anything with loading different figures in) - and the other two aren't on Android - one has pretty lackluster reviews, the other seems somewhat popular.], but more console-based and *more* to them.

oh here we go again...

[Ceric]

I held out and bought the PS4 version because it was the definitive one but, I had to wait some which hurt that for most people.  I sort of regret my decision know with how my setup is doing.  In all honesty if would very very handy for me to convert all my Skylanders game into digital since I have the many portals.

You have to have the portal to play so that why the upgrade would work.  You couldn't really sell the game without the portal.  Now I wish they would release a digital collection of Skylanders 1-3 for PS4 or WiiU, honestly don't care, that allows you to use any of the portals or even just the Trap Team one.  I would love to consolidate those game because finding the disc when you want to play can b e half the battle.

[Ceric]

Its a trap.  This thread is really about Violating Photobucket!

[lolmonade]

I held out and bought the PS4 version because it was the definitive one but, I had to wait some which hurt that for most people.  I sort of regret my decision know with how my setup is doing.  In all honesty if would very very handy for me to convert all my Skylanders game into digital since I have the many portals.

You have to have the portal to play so that why the upgrade would work.  You couldn't really sell the game without the portal.  Now I wish they would release a digital collection of Skylanders 1-3 for PS4 or WiiU, honestly don't care, that allows you to use any of the portals or even just the Trap Team one.  I would love to consolidate those game because finding the disc when you want to play can b e half the battle.

They already come with a redeemable code for some online/mobile games, you'd think they could let you use those to "tie" the character to the portal, and give you a menu option to swap-out characters tied to your game this way.
I like your idea, Ceric, but Activision must know that their core market is not us, but the droves of kids who like the idea of actively swapping out characters on the portals, so I don't expect anything so user-friendly.
 

[lolmonade]

Yup.  It works on mobile.

But beyond that, think of a 8-bit-esque platformer where every character you "load" into the game unlocks a new level (and you can use all 150+ figures in each of those levels).

How about a Pokemon: TCG-eqsue game where each character you load unlocks a different "booster" pack of cards that you could mix-and-match to play against others online?

A Kart-Racer where adding in figures unlocks different karts, levels and drivers.

A puzzle game (less non-ending Tetris-like, more set-solution puzzles like Picross) where loading in characters unlocks more and more puzzles.

They've done a little bit of this with the cell phone games, [the one I've played isn't anything to get excited over (and hardly utilizes anything with loading different figures in) - and the other two aren't on Android - one has pretty lackluster reviews, the other seems somewhat popular.], but more console-based and *more* to them.

As someone who likes Skylanders and can accept the model for this game, the day it bleeds into other games I want to play like this is the day I stop buying video games.

[UncleBob]

The key is not to replace other titles with these concepts, but to make additional titles that take advantage of them.

The problem we're getting to is that there's 150+ different figures, but so little to do with them.  If you want me to buy 150 more, give me a reason.

[pokepal148]

keep in mind, unclebob has counted them, daily.

[lolmonade]

The key is not to replace other titles with these concepts, but to make additional titles that take advantage of them.

The problem we're getting to is that there's 150+ different figures, but so little to do with them.  If you want me to buy 150 more, give me a reason.

I'm ok with this.
 
If they would want me to blow more money, they need to come out with a stand-alone version of sky stones.

[UncleBob]

keep in mind, unclebob has counted them, daily.

No, but I do have a Spreadsheet.

[lolmonade]

So...Unclebob, what exactly were you trying to show us with the two dozen photos that have now been blocked by photobucket?

[UncleBob]

https://www.facebook.com/SkylandersGame/photos/a.253523511339479.72748.191825297509301/1007461482612341/?type=1&permPage=1

Official for the US - Skylanders: Trap Team for Wii comes with Wii U download code.

[Ceric]

That's Ingenious.

[lolmonade]

This has to purely be a distribution play.  They don't want to bother making many (if any) Wii U packs....What better way to cover the small userbase by just saying "hey, buy the Wii Version, we'll let you have the Wii U copy free!".  It also makes it seem like a goodwill offering to Wii U users, and covers anyone who has a Wii and is considering a Wii U.
I personally ordered it for PS4, in hopes there'll be a visual and performance improvement significant enough to justify buying for that console.

[UncleBob]

It's my understanding, for SWAP Force, that the Wii U SKU sold better than the XBO or PS4 SKUs - although none of the three did anything spectacular (and, of course, the XBO and PS4 SKUs launched after the actual game launch).

I see this as a way to encourage folks to get off the Wii.  The Wii SKU was still a HUGE seller for SWAP Force and I feel Activision really wants to leave that system behind.  I don't think they want to develop Sky5 for the Wii.

Is Trap Team going to be the last release for the Wii?

[Ceric]

...
I personally ordered it for PS4, in hopes there'll be a visual and performance improvement significant enough to justify buying for that console.

I waited on Swap Force for the PS4.  There is a lot of different little visual improvements and they move some things from static textures to animated polygons.  It is the best looking version.

It's my understanding, for SWAP Force, that the Wii U SKU sold better than the XBO or PS4 SKUs - although none of the three did anything spectacular (and, of course, the XBO and PS4 SKUs launched after the actual game launch).

This does not surprise me at all.  The big difference here is that Nintendo is using there own standard for media again and everyone else is just using Blu-Ray so the per disk cost is probably cheaper.  Plus Wii U has BC compatibility so if you want to play right then you could.

I think if the X1 and PS4 had BC they probably do the exact same thing with those Sku's.  The amount of raw Shelf space stocking these games takes for retailers is probably becoming problematic.

I just want an HD upgrade of all the Skylanders games in a collection so I can have them on 1 platform.

[Mop it up]

Is Trap Team going to be the last release for the Wii?

Looks like Just Dance 2015 comes out a couple weeks later, but that could be it.

Farewell Wii, you served me well.