When 
Activision-Blizzard launched Skylanders: Spyro’s Adventure in 2011, there were a lot of questions about its chances of success. A hybrid toy/video game based on an aging franchise? Would people be interested?
The answer, of course, was yes. Skylanders has been a hit for toy companies and Activision alike. A really, really big hit, as life to date sales have now topped $500 million, reports Activision.
Unlike 
its popular console cousin, the app store incantation of Skylanders isn’t exactly heavy on story. That doesn’t stop Skylanders Cloud Patrol from being an incredibly entertaining and time sucking game, though.
[Activision Publishing CEO 
Eric Hirshberg talks with Gamasutra about bringing new life to the Spyro series with Skylanders, and how the company’s toy-based approach with the game could pay off big.]
Over the course of its history, the Spyro the Dragon series has sold more than 20 million software units. But like any 13-year old franchise, it was getting a little long in the tooth – and had long since lost any qualities of a cutting-edge video game.
The October release of Skylanders: Spyro’s Adventure has changed that, though. By combining physical action figures with a unique peripheral and a video game, the title has captured the attention of the mass market (and more than a few core gamers). While sales figures aren’t yet available, the game has buzz – often a critical factor in long-term success.
Three years ago, 
when Activision was trying to figure out what to do next with the long-running Spyro the Dragon series, it really didn’t have ambitious plans.
While the character was tremendously popular in the PlayStation 2 days (when Ratchet & Clank/Resistance developer Insomnia Games was running the franchise), a string of mediocre sequels had long since dulled its earnings potential. But a radical idea from Toys For Bob, a developer most gamers had never heard of, quickly convinced the company to bet big on the little fire-breather.
With gigantic franchises like Call of Duty and 
World of Warcraft in its back pocket (which apparently has a Guitar Hero-sized hole in it), Activision has a firm grip on the adult audience. Now it’s looking to add children to its customer base.
The company has announced a reboot of the long-running Spyro the Dragon franchise, and aims to combine the video game world with physical toys.
Chris Morris: Journalist 