Play pattern
From Transformers Wiki
25% WHOOOOOSH
30% PCHOW PCHOW PCHOW
6% INVISIBLE FORCEFIELD
In the world of toy design, play pattern is fancy murky industry-speak for "how are kids supposed to use this toy?" You'll find it used a lot in the written description of patent applications. Any feature of a toy that is intended to be used in a particular, specific way is part of some play pattern.
Some sample play patterns:
- "Micro play" - used by Hasbro reps at BotCon 2002[1] to describe the play pattern of the tiny Mini-Con toys in Armada (and, by extension, their Micromaster predecessors.)
- Combination
- Conversion - toys that transform from robot to vehicle, of course. The fundamental play pattern that defines the Transformers brand.
If all this seems insanely pedantic, consider that the play pattern is distinct from other potential but unintended uses of the toy. For example, converting Fortress Maximus from city to base to robot? Intended play pattern! Using Fortress Maximus as a blunt instrument to crush your little sister's dollhouse? Not the intended play pattern!
[edit] Footnotes
Categories: Stub | Toys
