Technology

The connected play space is expected increase 200 per cent in the next five years, and is tipped to be valued at $18 billion in hardware and software by the year 2023. In that same time, those working in the sector are expecting consumers to invest more money in the products they play with.

To facilitate the toy industry’s entry into the emerging connected play sector, tech toy specialists at Collabsco and Toyology are collaborating on a new and forward-looking venture.

The move has come as demand for its tech-infused take on the traditional game play has continued to pick up steam globally and ahead of the next Warhammer Age of Sigmar: Champions booster, Onslaught is released in November this year.

Next year, CES Kids at Play/FamilyTech Summit will host the 10th Annual KAPi (Kids at Play Interactive) Awards celebrating excellence in children’s media and digital.

With a renewed strategic focus on the family market, the XR experts are bolstering their knowledge of child-friendly games, connected play products and technology use in visitor attractions.

Targeting Generation Z - made up of over 73 million people in the US alone, the smart toys, apps and games segment generates $44 billion in annual spending, while an estimated 75 per cent of the under 13 market owns its own smart device.

Through its appointment, Child’s Play will be responsible for managing media relations to launch and support the brand in the US.

This is Moose Toys’ extended move into youth electronics, one of the fastest growing toy categories in the world.

Kids will be able to build the Iron Man gauntlet, adding wearable tech sensors, in-app block coding, a customisable LED matrix light design and authentic Marvel Avengers sound effects.

The Licensing Hall of Famer and man widely recognised for his efforts in bringing Pokémon and other franchises to the world outside of Asia has cited the ‘magnitude’ of the technology as a must watch area of development for both licensing and the collectables market.