The Return of Toys

valdean writes "With videogames becoming so ubiquitous, it sometimes seems like kids have less and less time for toys these days. Toy makers, however, are pushing back with high tech toys designed to be more compelling than a game of Supreme Commander. The New York Times reports that remote controlled vehicles in particular seem to be up for some friendly competition. As one designer suggests, 'navigating well-designed vehicles in the physical world... is vastly more compelling than steering a virtual vehicle in a computer-generated universe.' Will toys ever be able to compete with videogames again?"

Comments

Of course toys of some kinds are coming back

[msobkow]

As they mentioned, RC vehicles are wayyyy more popular now that they're affordable. The one thing that ticks my nephew off is the batteries don't last long enough and no one will buy him more sets so he can spend hours driving instead of minutes. :)

But the more complex toys like a robot that does some sort of dance moves and stuff don't interest him much. He likes things that go so that he can follow them around the yard, not just things that move around in his local space like a regular toy.

You can't very well ram the grandparent's legs in the kitchen if you have to be in the room, otherwise you don't get away with the "accident." ;)

Makes sense...

[Synesthesiatic]

I used to be a big gamer back when I was a student, but now that I spend all day staring at a computer screen that's pretty much the last thing I want to do when I get home. Plus playing my "buddy" HeadShot4349 over XBox live isn't something I'd call "being social". In-person games (including party video games) and toys certainly have their place.

Now, while we're getting all nostalgic, let's break out the lawn darts!

keeping it simple

[stoolpigeon]

my son's favorite present this christmas was also the least expensive. it was a set of plastic discs that had hook-n-loop stuff on it that you could strap to your hand. it came with a tennis ball that you throw - and then catch by letting it stick to one of the discs. he's 4 and he'll do that for longer than he'll spend on just about any other single activity. we have a great time playing catch at the park. his sisters enjoy it too - so i picked up another set. i think a set with two discs and a ball was right around 3 bucks at wal-mart.

They want a hit? I'll give them a freebie.

[Lumpy]

Remote control 4wd or tank device with a camera in it and a lcd in the remote ,B&W is good enough. Kids that are bored of RC cars will play with a car that has a camera on it for days on end.

Oh and faster is not better, slower with power and the camera is better.

A Friend

[DaMattster]

I have a friend that strongly believes in the value of toys. He has two boys and, rather than buy cheap, plastic stuff, he builds toys. These toys are miniature working bulldozers and front-end loaders with actual hydraulics and small diesel engines. Another friend built a small rideable, electric railroad. He figured that the little HO models just don't bring to life the magic of the railroad for a kid. Toys are awesome! The day we give them up for video games is a sad one. Video games do not encourage wholesome play. Granted, they are fun (when I have a bad day, I love a good game of Grand Theft Auto to relax by but this ain't wholesome fun), but should be kept to a minimum. Toys have an innocence about them that should be embraced.

Re:One toy will always compete

[Dogtanian]

[Lego] should pick up more licenses like gundam, macross, battlestar, startrek, or whatever else kids watch nowadays No, they should create a Lego kit with some Manga-ish components (including blocks, weapons and body parts) and let the kids create their own Manga stuff. Well, that's how I'd like them to go about it anyway; I'm not keen on Lego tying itself down to one specific thing too far.

I remember using pieces from a space-themed Lego set as parts of high-tech vehicles/tools used by a criminal gang... :-)