Industry First Hybrid Video Gaming System from Mattel for Tweens
2006-07-20 | posted by Chairman Steve | print
New HyperScan Game System Combines Card Collecting and Video Gaming to Create All New Category of Play
What happens when classic collector card play meets today's video gaming generation? Enter HyperScan, the first-of-its-kind game system that combines two of the most popular activities of kids today, allowing players to scan cards, enhance and modify their battle abilities and make their video game characters more powerful over time. Creating a whole new category of play, this hybrid gaming system utilizes CD-ROM and RFID technology, bringing the best of collector card games and video games together in one easy-to-use, highly customizable system. Available this October, HyperScan is designed for children ages eight and older and combines re-writable Intellicard technology with the fast-paced, button-mashing action of video games for the first time in the video game space.
"HyperScan delivers an all-new category of video gaming for today's kids, with the hottest properties such as Marvel X-Men and Cartoon Network's Ben 10," said Cynthia Neiman, Vice President, Games & Interactive Marketing, Mattel Brands. "This new game system bridges the gap in gaming experiences for the tween boy who has graduated from traditional plug & play games but is not quite ready for the mature content and expense of high-end video game consoles. HyperScan gives them another option, offering kids an entirely new way to play collector card games and video games in one, with age-appropriate content. It is a hybrid that combines two play patterns into an ever greater experience."
HOW IT WORKS - SCAN, BATTLE, RE-SCAN
Players scan their cards over the HyperScan console and their favorite characters magically come to life on their television screen. During video game CD-ROM powered play, kids can pause and scan their collectible game cards over the console to upgrade, modify and enhance both their offensive and defensive battle and play abilities such as extra strength, armor and special attack. When victory is theirs, players re-scan their cards and their new winning powers are permanently upgraded directly onto their Intellicard for use in future game play. The HyperScan collectible cards will be available based on a rarity scheme, meaning that players won't know what cards they're getting in their game packs, spawning a new powered-up collector card trading trend that enhances the interactive features of HyperScan.
Hyper-cool features include:
- RFID technology to scan collectible game cards and bring characters to life – for the highest degree of character customization
- Advanced 32-bit processor with excellent graphics, speed and sound – for sophisticated, quality play
- Each game features approximately 100 corresponding game cards – 10 to 20 character cards and 80+ modification cards – with 20 to 40 hours of play on each character card. Cards will be released using a matrix scheme of various series and a rarity system to drive collectibility.
- Initial software titles available at launch include Marvel X-Men, Cartoon Network's Ben 10 (based on the network's hit TV show) and Mattel's Interstellar Wrestling League. Marvel Heroes will also be released for the HyperScan game system in November 2006.
- Lightweight, portable and hooks up to a TV effortlessly – for gamers-on-the-go
Competitively priced, the HyperScan game system comes complete with the console, one controller (designed for tween-sized hands), one X-Men CD game and six X-Men collectible game cards for an MSRP of $69.99. Game Packs include one CD game and six collectible game cards for an MSRP of $19.99. Booster Packs include six collectible game cards for an MSRP of $9.99. Additional HyperScan controllers will be available for an MSRP of $19.99 each. HyperScan accessories include an Intellicard card case, available for an MSRP of $7.99, and a console case for holding HyperScan hardware, software and accessories, available for an MSRP of $19.99. HyperScan will be available in October at quality retailers nationwide.SOURCE: Mattel |