As we’ve learned three times over by now, combining digital gaming with physical merchandise is a huge cashcow. In a move that will surprise no one but excite many, LEGO is heading down the trail which was blazed by Spyro, Disney, and Nintendo before it. LEGO Dimensions is the combination of physical minifigures and playsets in the real world with imaginative crossover possibilities in the digital world.
The list of licensed properties will surely grow over time, but for now we can confirm a few specific universes featured in Dimensions. See how many you can spot in the screens below.
For those playing at home, that’s Batman, Lord of the Rings, The LEGO Movie, The Wizard of Oz, Back To The Future, and LEGO Ninjago. These types of mash-ups do well to capture the spirit of playing with LEGOs, says TT Games founder Jon Burton.
When kids play with LEGO bricks, they build beyond the singular brands, intermixing all of their favorite characters and universes, and we have come up with a way for players to experience that in games.Now for the first time in a video game, LEGO fans can play in the virtual world and in the real world – combining everything without restrictions. Imagine putting LEGO Gollum from The Lord of the Rings behind the wheel of the LEGO Delorean in New Ninjago City - the creative play is endless.
The starter set will come with three figures – the heroine of The LEGO Movie, Wyldstyle, Gandalf The Grey, and the Dark Knight himself. Several more minifigures and playset add-on packs will be available at launch and throughout the game’s lifespan including properties not yet revealed.
You can also check out the announcement trailer (or its extended cut) below, starring Community’s Joel McHale.
Like the physical toys, the game clearly benefits from a nearly endless supply of content potential. It hits stores on September 29th for Xbox One and Xbox 360.