The real-world toys unlock in-game bonuses in Minecraft Earth.
At this year’s New York Toy Fair, Mattel revealed a line of Minecraft-themed toys called Minecraft Earth Boost Minis, which will connect to the free-to-play mobile game Minecraft Earth.
Specifically, Minecraft Earth players will be able to scan these toys with their smartphone to receive in-game experience points and a special “boost.” At launch, there will be 20 figures available to collect and more than 10 different boosts to choose from, such as an “increased tappable radius,” a decrease in crafting time, extra health, and more.
If a Minecraft Earth player doesn’t want to purchase any of these real world figures, they’ll have the option to unlock these boosts using in-game Rubies, the game’s premium currency.
The Minecraft Earth Boost Minis will be released this spring for $4.99 each. The figures will have an age rating of 6+.
Minecraft Earth is available to download for free on iOS and Android devices. Similar to Pokemon Go, the game encourages players to travel around the real world so they can collect in-game items. Players can use these items to build on buildplates, which can be viewed in augmented reality (AR). This AR technology makes it appear as though the in-game content is actually in the real world in front of players.
To learn more about Minecraft Earth, check out our previous coverage.
What do you think about these Minecraft Earth Boost Minis? Let us know in the comments, or tweet us at @superparenthq.
Brandy Berthelson has been writing about video games and technology since 2006, with her work appearing on sites including AOL Games, Digital Spy, and Adweek. When she’s not gaming, Brandy enjoys crafting, baking, and traveling with her husband.
