Home Gaming Disney Infinity has cost $100 million to develop

Disney Infinity has cost $100 million to develop

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Disney-Infinity-Toy-Box-1

Much like Hollywood, making games can be an expensive venture. Sometimes, it’s unnecessarily so, with developers packing more explosions per pixel at the cost of story and appealing to that wider demographic. Disney Infinity however, is a game that goes beyond the disc and into the realm of toys to life. And it cost a pretty penny to produce. A penny that Disney can’t afford to lose.

A report by the Wall Street Journal has pegged the Disney Infinity platform at $100 million in development costs so far. And that excludes marketing for the game. A source who worked on the project, described it as a “Hail Mary [play] with a tremendous amount of pressure to be a hit.”

In non-sports terms, it’s all or nothing for Disney Interactive, as this project simply can’t afford to fail. So big is the development on Infinity, that Disney Interactive had to pass on working on Iron Man and Star Wars games in order to focus 100% on it.

If Infinity fails, that’ll mean that the Disney branch of the company that oversees everything will have to re-assess how it does video game business, possibly moving its licenses to other publishers while they focus on mobile and online games.

Disney Infinity launches this Friday on PC, Playstation 3, Xbox 360 and Wii U. It’ll be a tense couple of months before we see any reports of profits or losses. But if this game can succeed, then Skylanders will have a real strong contender in the young toys to life market. And competition is never a bad thing.

Last Updated: August 19, 2013

22 Comments

  1. My six year old son has seen the advert and want this badly. He reminds me every time he sees the ad. This is going to be a hit.

    Reply

    • Hammersteyn

      August 19, 2013 at 11:27

      Hit your wallet?

      Reply

      • Skyblue

        August 19, 2013 at 11:31

        I am so happy my youngest has moved on to WWE games. I got him started on Skylanders initially but his interest waned pretty fast. This is going to be expensive as hell if Skylanders was anything to go by even if the premise is pretty cool.

        Reply

    • Alien Emperor Trevor

      August 19, 2013 at 11:56

      I’m glad I don’t have kids. It’s difficult enough to afford all my own toys, then I’d see theirs & want them too.

      Reply

      • Zoe

        August 19, 2013 at 12:00

        one of my many reasons not to breed – who wants to share toys?!

        Reply

  2. Alien Emperor Trevor

    August 19, 2013 at 11:26

    It’s a risk alright, but I hope they hit it big. A nice stable income stream could mean them taking a few risks on other properties without worrying too much if it isn’t a massive success.

    Reply

  3. Hammersteyn

    August 19, 2013 at 11:29

    They will make a ton of money on this. Young and old will buy into this. Not me though. I’m cool like that. Or not.

    Reply

    • Major Commodore 64 Darryn B

      August 19, 2013 at 11:31

      I’m buying it for myself this Friday actually. You win this round Mickey F”#@%n Mouse.

      Reply

      • Hammersteyn

        August 19, 2013 at 11:37

        Just wait until they release Marvel characters.

        Reply

        • Macethy

          August 19, 2013 at 11:38

          LOL then it’s game over for everyone’s wallet.

          Reply

          • Major Commodore 64 Darryn B

            August 19, 2013 at 11:41

            I have a feeling that when they bring out Star Wars figures, I’m going to be living in a cardboard box.

          • Hammersteyn

            August 19, 2013 at 11:44

            Deadpool vs. Darth Vader!

          • Ultimo_Cleric N7

            August 19, 2013 at 11:45

            Wolverine vs Darth Vader vs Captain Jack.
            I think the universe might just explode

          • HvR

            August 19, 2013 at 11:46

            Caption Jack Sparrow vs Tonto

          • Sageville

            August 19, 2013 at 15:17

            DISPARITY!

          • Sageville

            August 19, 2013 at 15:16

            My wallet is already in it’s moer in, I’m calling this “stuff for my kids”…. but I think we all know better…

            Starter Pack R800
            Cars Playground R315
            Dash Figurine R125.
            Violet Figurine R125

            I will be well and truely screwed if they release Star Wars or Marvel figures,

  4. RinceThisandholiday

    August 19, 2013 at 11:38

    I hope it’s a success as it looks awesome! Also, Darryn, was this piece written by Geoff? ” have to re-assess how does it video game business” trololo!

    Reply

    • Major Commodore 64 Darryn B

      August 19, 2013 at 11:40

      Lulz, fixed. Thanks for that bud.

      Reply

      • RinceThisandholiday

        August 19, 2013 at 11:47

        Just messing about 🙂 I know you poor people are over worked now, Gavin probably only left a slice of toast for you two, for the week…

        Reply

        • Zoe

          August 19, 2013 at 11:58

          wait, he left us toast?! darryn, share the provisions!

          Reply

          • RinceThisandholiday

            August 19, 2013 at 12:01

            Oh heck @f29c2b82775c8feedeae3045ca4a11c8:disqus sorry bud, share and share alike…

  5. HvR

    August 19, 2013 at 11:41

    Porting all their IP, design and manufacturing of all the figurines, design and manufacture of the “base” hardware and then the development of the actual game. $100mil is on the cheap side comparing the development cost of some “standard” games with a much smaller target market.

    Reply

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