So as most of you probably know by now, the E3 Exclusive Skylander this year is Hot Streak. Our first glimpse came directly from the official SkylandersGame Twitter account:
So shiny. This Hot Streak exclusive is debuting at #E3! Check out our Instagram 'SkylanderstheGame' for live updates! pic.twitter.com/HkSKFASXsE
— Skylanders (@Skylanders) June 15, 2015
Eventually the E3 attendees started to get their hands on them and posted pictures of the packaged figures.
In hand! The variant Hot Streak vehicle available only at E3. #Skylanders (@SkylandersGame ) pic.twitter.com/n8lApTzUi2
— Skylanders Inquirer (@SkylandersInq) June 16, 2015
As you can see on the package, these figures are marked as the “Exclusive Event Edition 2015”. I take this to mean that we'll probably end up seeing them at other events and trade shows throughout the year.
In-Game or Chase?
So now for the big question that everyone wants to know. Is it an in-game variant or is it a chase variant?
A Brief History
From 2011-2013 E3 Exclusive Skylanders were always Chase Variants.
In 2014 we saw an exclusive Trap that gave us Riot Shield Shredder. Although it wasn't the standard Skylanders figure, for all intents and purposes, Riot Shield Shredder was an in-game variant.
Now we hit 2015 and we get Hot Streak. With multiple images of the figure in its package it become pretty simple to determine that this should be a Chase Variant.
As I explain in this article, there are two main things you can look at on the packaging:
- Does it have an official name?
- Does the box art feature the Skylander with variant colors?
Until now, these guidelines have held true for all variants.
Have Things Changed?
Either late yesterday or early this morning, an Instagram user by the name of howie00g seems to be singing a different tune.
(Thanks to gamerfamily for reposting on Instagram and @skylanderfreaks for sharing it with me.)
https://instagram.com/p/4ENr3vAn7q/
UPDATE: Here's the original video from howie00g:
https://instagram.com/p/4F_bJIoYg_/
Is It Real?
I will admit that there is a large part of me that wants this to be fake or a mistake, but I'm not completely giving up hope yet.
Why Do I Question It?
While the picture is a little blurry and it was taken in the middle of an animation sequence, it looks to me like the entire body of the car is gold and the wheels are still blue.
This doesn't exactly match up with the exclusive figure.
Also, why isn't it called Golden Hot Streak on the box?
Other Possibilities
Thinking about this, my mind has been racing this morning, trying to come up with reasons for why we're seeing what we're seeing. Here are a few ideas to think about:
- Maybe there is a different variant called Golden Hot Streak and this sample version of the game is reading the figure incorrectly.
- Maybe this figure could be released in retail stores eventually without the “Exclusive Event Edition” mark on the box.
Conclusion
So while it's entirely possible that Activision changed the way they package and label variants, I truly hope that this is not the case.
I think I will be reserving any further judgement on this figure until I can try it out on the completed game in September.
Thoughts?
I’m thinking that activision misprinted the name of the vehicle and it might be a mixture of a chase variant and a in-game variant
Just curious, do you think they misprinted the name on the box or in the game?
Probably both or it could be that that is how activision and vicarious visions did it this year as their little twist.
This is taken from a video it’s not a misprint go look on my IG and u can see
Ok, I will go look, I looked and it looks like a mixture of a chase and in-game variant, and they might have changed part of the name on the game
There no misprint later today I’ll take pictures of the box for everyone with clear shoots this is what it looks like when u use it in game there is a video on my IG
Whotever the answer i know matt you will keep us skylander fans well informed before release date thank you for no miss leading info keep it up
Thanks for the vote of confidence. I’ll do my best.
This is howie00g and yes it’s true before u say I’m singing a different tune u should just reach out to me add the IG and see my video. Right from e3 which was live on snapchat all day with no cuts. I’m trying to become a video blogger and news video game guy covering big news. to out do others who just talk about what they have and don’t show of what’s really coming thanks. That car is gold I put it on the portal when I was there and I was the only one who got this video footage
Your friend howie00g
Hey howie00g,
If you have a second, shoot me an email at matt@skylanderscharacterlist.com
I’d love to talk with you some more.
Matt
Gamer family used a screen shoot from my video of snapchat who are my friends and ask me about the picture before using it I told them it’s ok I have water marked my video so people don’t use it on there sites I’m giving away these cars for free once we launch our channel through contest follow me on IG Twitter or snapchat for skylander news or Amiibo or other video game news thanks
Go look I put the video on my Instagram please update ur story after u watch the video
That’s not photo shopped
Mat did u just email my IG I have like 3000 pictures man
I want to work with video game people taking pictures and covering events and making videos
What sucks is if u where not there ull never get to use this in the game unless u want to pay some loser who just went there to scaple them. So maybe they will repackage it and it will come out for sale. Most people in the line did not even play skylanders because I ask if anyone knew about king cobra and yarn traps the only thing I’m missing but everyone like no sorry I don’t play the game I just want the car. Then some where looking it up on eBay saying ooo man we have to stand here longer lets take turns standing in line so we can get more to sell. Even the activison people said yarn and king cobra should be out every where I said no it’s not it’s only out at inter toys in Europe. So that lady said she would email me
That is the answer I was the guy who took the vide what he had is a snap shoot of the video I took from a screen shoot go look on my IG dude
Put many videos up have to up date Twitter some time today u can use any of the videos u want
There is a gold hot streak available in regular starters for play station and Xbox. It is a in game variant different from the e3 hot streak. The gold hot streak is just that gold with blue wheels looks awesome. Most thought it was rare but turns out it’s not depending on the area you live you may find none too six+ of them.
We have an All-Gold Hot Streak…should we continue being afraid to open the box up?? What would its worth be?
It’s another variant. If you collect them, nice find!
It’s okay to open up. Have fun, play with it. That’s what it’s meant for.
Being so new, it’s hard to put a price on it. Prices are a little on the high side right now because no one is sure just how rare it is, but it will settle down in a few weeks and we’ll have a better idea then.