LEGO games franchise moved 1.6 million units in 2013
The LEGO franchise has been a boon to Warner Bros. Interactive, and sales of the Traveller’s Tales continue to thrive, according to thr firm's UK sales and marketing director, Spencer Crossley.
Speaking with MCV, Crossley said in 2013 alone, 1.6 million LEGO games were sold.
“Since the start of 2013, WBIE has sold 1.6 million LEGO games, and it is currently the second biggest game franchise in 2014 year-to-date in terms of units sold, with 420,200 units," he said. "Another strong week could see the LEGO game franchise take the number one franchise spot.
“The evergreen appeal of LEGO games combined with franchises such as Batman, DC, Marvel, The Hobbit, Harry Potter and The Lord of the Rings continues to appeal to an incredibly wide demographic, regardless of age, gender or casual/core. The formula of colorful characters and graphics, humor, and drop in/drop out gameplay is improved for every new release, resulting in an almost cult-like following for the franchise.
“They also completely buck the sales trend with a huge shelf life. LEGO games are no longer seen as kids products and we ensure they’re available on all platforms, both physically and digitally.”
Crossley believes the franchise can continue to grow, even though it is already the second largest toy company and the ninth largest games franchise in the world.
“On the console and handheld, we have LEGO The Hobbit due in April, which is already looking fantastic," said Crossley. “Our roll-out of LEGO titles onto iOS devices gathered momentum through 2013 with LEGO Legends of CHIMA: Speedorz, LEGO Batman 2: DC Superheroes, LEGO The Lord of the Rings and LEGO Star Wars: The Complete Saga, and we have many more set to arrive in 2014.
“Continuing in the digital space, we’re working on LEGO CHIMA Online. “We have many exciting projects planned within our LEGO strategy and will be embracing digital innovation, as well as new brands, in the future.”
The latest LEGO game to arrive in stores and online, LEGO The Movie Videogame, released in February.
LEGO The Hobbit will release on April 8 in North America and April 11 in Europe for 3DS, Mac, PC, PlayStation 3, PS4, Vita, Wii U, Xbox 360 and Xbox One.