Disney to launch Skylanders rival in June

Disney wants in on the consumer excitement that has propelled Activision’s Skylanders to become a $500m-grossing toy-game property in the US.

Disney Infinity unites a range of iconic characters as a console, mobile and online game

It is "not just a single game" the firm says, with Infinity tapping into multiple properties, such as Cars, Pirates of the Caribbean and Mickey Mouse.

Disney will launch software and figurines, with the figures used in two ways.

The first is in individual’Play Sets’, specific games themed around each property – the first three games are related to Pirates of the Caribbean, Monsters Inc and The Incredibles.

These characters will also be able to interact in different modes that Disney otherwise wouldn’t allow through its ‘Toy Box’ functions, which allows players to put characters together in races and other adventures with a level editor.

"We planned to do something special in gaming consistent with the pioneer spirit of this company," said Disney Interactive boss John Pleasants, which was joined by Pixar founder John Lasseter at a special event in Hollywood to unveil the game.

The first software and toys packs arrive in June, with add-on figures unlocking more levels and games. The game will launch for Wii and Wii U, PS3, 360 and 3DS before the mobile and PC/Mac online version.

For now, it seems that characters from the Disney-owned Marvel cannon such as Spider-man, The Muppets, or anything from the recently-acquired Star Wars library will not feature immediately in the Infinity range.