Skylanders SWAP Force Revving Up For Release

As we spiral headlong toward the October 13th US release date of the newest Skylanders expansion, we'll tip you off on a public event in Tomes Square, NYC this week and give you some new eye candy to drool over...

Activision Publishing, Inc., brings the world of Skylands to life for one special day in Times Square to celebrate the upcoming launch of Skylanders SWAP Force.  The makers of the Skylanders® franchise -- one of the world’s most successful video game franchises1 -- is inviting fans to experience the world of Skylands during the “SWAPtoberfest” event.

Kids who visit Times Square on SWAPtober 10th can participate in the “SWAPtoberfest” themed activities. Select Skylanders costumed characters will attend and Skylanders-branded prizes will be given away (while supplies last) at the event to fans. Portal Masters will also have the opportunity to win a Skylanders SWAP Force Starter Pack, as well as play the game in advance of its official launch.

Adding to the excitement, actor James Marsden (“Anchorman 2”) will host the event and join emcee Zach Gordon (“Diary of a Wimpy Kid,” “Pete's Christmas”) for the free and open to the public event.

Kicking off SWAPtober, Activision will be giving away one Skylanders SWAP Force Starter Pack per day from October 1-31 via the official Skylanders Twitter channel (@SkylandersGames). Portal Masters can visit Skylanders.com to mix and match their favorite SWAP ForceTM characters out of the more than 250 possible combinations. Fans can then tweet their favorite SWAP Force character combination along with a suggested catchphrase using the hashtags #SWAPtober and #Skylanders for the chance to win one of the daily Skylanders SWAP Force Starter Pack giveaways, which will be available after the game’s launch.






On Saturday, October 12 and Sunday, October 13, the Toys“R”Us international flagship store in New York City will celebrate the launch of Skylanders SWAP Force with one-of-a-kind in-store experiences, including game demos and giveaways (while supplies last).

16 characters will round out the initial SWAP Force release. Magnetic bodies on some characters allow the player to combine the strengths of one with those of another. There are many areas in the game not crucial to completing a level, allowing for more free roaming fun exploring the possibilities with your new players and the lands they stomp through. The addition of dual elemental zones presents the opportunity to team up two players of different types, or combine those required elements in one character. While you may be familiar with the base dictating the type of each character, a new element of play presents you with a power unique to that character (like teleportation), only to be used by a new SWAP Force character. Rocket Boots will propel you into skybound gameplay while climbing ability will present vertical challenges, speed will face an obstacle force on a race track with time limits, etc, etc. Characters from Giants and the original game that started it all will also join in on the fun with new things for them to do in this environment. New characters with the SWAP Force ability include Rattleshake (undead type), Hoot Loop (magic), Free Ranger (air), Magna Charge, Blast Zone and Wash Buckler alongside core characters (that don't swap) including Countdown, Slobber Tooth (earth type who can eat an opponent for heath or spit them back out like a projectile weapon) and Zoo Lou (can summon animals!)

Skylanders SWAP Force will be available in North America on Xbox 360™, PlayStation® 3, Nintendo Wii™, Nintendo Wii U™ and Nintendo 3DS™ on October 13, in Australia on October 16 and in Europe on October 18. It also will be available day and date with the launch of Xbox One™ and PlayStation® 4. CLICK HERE to pre-order!