At Toy Fair 2016, Mattel and Microsoft have announced that they’re partnering up to produce a new line of Halo toys and merchandise.
The two companies have previously worked together on the Halo line of Megabloks (Mattel’s answer to Lego), but now they’re expanding the license to a wide range of merchandise. Mattel will be producing a new line of six inch Halo figures (shown above), a 12 inch figure line, vehicles and even weapons. The initial assortment of merchandise will be based on Halo 5: Guardians and Halo Wars 2, but it’s possible that Mattel will visit past games for new merchandise.
The previous owner of the Halo figure license was McFarlane Toys who produced a series of collector oriented figures. McFarlane Toys originally obtained the rights all the way back in 2007 just in time for Halo 3.
Mattel’s new assortment seems much more focused on being toys for kids instead of collectors.This seems to be an ongoing theme with how Microsoft has been viewing the Halo franchise; they seem to be pushing it more as a series that everyone can enjoy instead of just adults. Halo 5 being the first mainline Teen rated game in the series only helps this theory. Whether that is a good thing or a bad thing has yet to be seen.
For all of the latest news on the Halo franchise, stay tuned to TICGN.
