Toy Story Mania coming to the Wii

Before I give my own opinion, here is the official press release from Disney Interactive Studios . . .

Beloved "Toy Story" Characters and Theme Park Attraction Provide Backdrop for Family-Friendly Carnival-Style Video Game

BURBANK, Calif., (March 24, 2009) Disney Interactive Studios today announced Toy Story Mania!, inspired by the Disney/Pixar animated feature "Toy Story," will be released exclusively for the Wii home video game console this fall. Toy Story Mania! showcases an array of entertaining games based on the new Disneyland Resort and Walt Disney World Resort attractions, while featuring the iconic characters and humor from the popular Disney/Pixar "Toy Story" franchise.

"The 'Toy Story' franchise is a fun, dynamic and heart-warming series containing characters and themes that connect with every age group," said Craig Relyea, senior vice president of global marketing, Disney Interactive Studios. "Toy Story Mania! combines those popular elements with the unique antics of the new theme park attraction for the ultimate in family entertainment."

In Toy Story Mania!, players experience the fast-paced, zany fun of the Toy Story Mania! theme park attraction, which is an interactive experience requiring 3D glasses and involving rapid or quick-firing shooting galleries. In addition to galleries adapted from the attraction, the game includes new and original galleries and a series of mini games, all hosted by beloved characters from the movies. The thematically-connected levels are designed for up to four players of all ages with competitive and co-operative multiplayer options. Toy Story Mania! also includes bonus 3D features, transforming the game experience with eye-popping visuals.

The Pixar-created "Toy Story" and "Toy Story 2" have both had successful box office and DVD sales. The Disney Digital 3D™ theatrical re-release of "Toy Story" is in the works and will open in theatres on October 2, 2009, followed by the 3D re-release of "Toy Story 2" opening on February 12, 2010, leading up to the premiere of "Toy Story 3" in 3D summer 2010. Toy Story Mania! is the first video game to place characters from these films into a carnival game setting and is expected to resonate with fans of the films and the attraction, as well as gamers who like pick-up-and-play party games

Developed by Papaya Studio, Toy Story Mania! will be available this fall exclusively for Wii.

I must admit, at first, this sounded like a great idea to me. But the reason why it sounded like such a good idea was exactly what lead me to think otherwise. Every time I've been on the ride, I immediately want to jump right back in line the second I've finished. From an Imagineering (and business) standpoint, this is priority number one. An attraction's success can oftentimes be measured by it's re-rideability. This beg's the question, why would you give people the opportunnity to NOT have to visit the parks in order to experience an attraction. Now granted, I don't think sitting in your living room playing the wii version of TSM will be anything like experiencing the real thing (and not nearly as tiring for your arm!) . But there is something about the exclusiveness of our favorite attractions that make them special. The fact that that I can't just buy a game or watch a video and be satiated by anything but the real thing makes it that much more magical when I do go to the parks. Who knows, maybe this is purely financially motivated, and perhaps if nothing else will act as a big advertisment to get people to the parks. But I worry that these artificial experiences, especially as technology progresses, will begin to take away from the genuine experience.

Also, this just in. Autopia is coming out on Xbox 360. Looks intense!

But NO bumping