Activision’s Skylanders and Disney Interactive’s upcoming Disney Infinity won’t be the only “Toys to Life” gaming experiences available to play this fall and heading into the holiday. There will be another new kid on the block, and this one’s got a bit of an attitude and the Force on its side.
Hasbro and Rovio today announced Angry Birds Star Wars II, created with the guidance of Lucasfilm, is coming to mobile platforms on September 19. The app will include a “Telepods” play experience mode that will make the Angry Birds Star Wars toy figures come to life in the game.
The way it works is a bit different than the NFC technology being utilized for Skylanders and Disney Infinity. Rather than place a toy on a Portal of Power and watch it come to life in the game, players will take their little Angry Birds figures and, after placing them on a clear stand that serves as a magnifying glass and tapping the Telepods icon in the app, point them at their mobile phone or tablet’s front-facing camera. The figures are then “magically” teleported into the game with the aid of the stand, and within a second or two where they can then partake in all the Angry Birds Star Wars II levels.
Check out the intro trailer below to see the Telepods summoned into the game.
This design is a radical departure from the first Angry Birds Star Wars game. In that format, players had no control over which characters could be used to play a level. With Telepods, players have full control over which Rebel Bird or Imperial Pig figure to utilize. Since Angry Birds Star Wars II is set in the prequel universe, players will be able to choose the “Pork Side” and play as a green pig.
Of course, when the app is not in use, the Angry Birds Star Wars physical toys can be actively used to blast play environments. Skylanders and Disney Infinity toys are more for admiring given their lack of poseability and somewhat fragile nature depending on the character. These birds not only come to life, but can be played with rough as well.
Here’s a breakdown of all the physical Angry Birds Star Wars II Telepods-compatible toys on the way. Hasbro will be releasing over 30 Telepod figures in total.
Angry Birds Star Wars Telepods Star Destroyer
(SRP: $39.99; Ages: 5 & up; Available: Fall 2013)
Stack more than 20 pieces to create the iconic STAR DESTROYER, then launch up to three Rebel birds at a time with the new TRIPLE LIGHTSABER LAUNCHER to destroy the ship and send the Imperial Pigs flying. For the first time ever, you can also teleport all 10 ANGRY BIRDS STAR WARS figures – six of which are exclusive to this set – into the new ANGRY BIRDS STAR WARS II app using the included TELEPODS base.Angry Birds Star Wars Telepods Vehicle Packs
(SRP: $19.99; Ages: 5 & up; Available: Fall 2013)
Stack these structures to recreate iconic ANGRY BIRDS STAR WARS scenes, place your Rebel Bird in the vehicle, pull back and send him launching off the ramp to defeat the evil Pig Empire with an epic crash! Each set comes with two figures – one of which is exclusive. And, for the first time ever, you can teleport every figure into the new ANGRY BIRDS STAR WARS II app using the included TELEPODS base. Choose from ENDOR CHASE, and DEATH STAR TRENCH RUN. Each sold separately.Angry Birds Star Wars Telepods Sets
(SRP: $14.99; Ages: 5 & up; Available: Fall 2013)
Stack these structures to recreate iconic ANGRY BIRDS STAR WARS scenes, and then launch your Rebel Birds with the LIGHTSABER LAUNCHER to defeat the evil Pig Empire with an epic crash! Each set comes with two figures – one of which is exclusive. And, for the first time ever, you can teleport every figure into the new ANGRY BIRDS STAR WARS II app using the included TELEPODS base. Choose from BATTLE ON GEONOSIS, DUEL WITH COUNT DOOKU, and BOUNTY HUNTERS. Each sold separately.Angry Birds Star Wars Telepods Darth Vader Carry Case
(SRP: $19.99; Ages: 5 & up; Available: Fall 2013)
Now your ANGRY BIRDS STAR WARS TELEPODS collection can go wherever you do! The ANGRY BIRDS STAR WARS TELEPODS DARTH VADER CARRY CASE holds up to 30 figures, one LIGHTSABER LAUNCHER, one TELEPODS base, and stacking blocks. It comes with one exclusive CHEWBACCA BIRD figure (other items sold separately) which, for the first time ever, can be teleported into the new ANGRY BIRDS STAR WARS II app using the included TELEPODS base.Angry Birds Star Wars Telepods Jedi vs. Sith Multi-Pack
(SRP: $9.99; Ages: 5 & up; Available: Fall 2013)
Create an instant battle between the light and dark sides of the Force with these six figures – two of which are exclusive to this set. And, for the first time ever, you can teleport every figure into the new ANGRY BIRDS STAR WARS II app using the included TELEPODS base.Angry Birds Star Wars Telepods Figure Pack
(SRP: $5.99; Ages: 5 & up; Available: Fall 2013)
The perfect way to start building your collection of Rebel Birds and Imperial Pigs! This pack features two figures which, for the first time ever, can be teleported into the new ANGRY BIRDS STAR WARS II app using the included TELEPODS base. Check starwars.hasbro.com for app release date and TELEPODS smart device compatibility.
Many of the Angry Birds Star Wars Telepod physical toys are expected to arrive in stores this August, well ahead of the game’s release.
