I saw this.  Really didn't know quite what to think of it: I'm not enamored of Lionel's video-game approach . . . .  But I suppose it's positive for the hobby and Lionel.

Do they have any plans to port Battle Train and their IPad application to either Android or Windows? There are plenty of people who are not enamored with Apple.

I would try Battle Train if they did.

I don't run any command control trains, so I would try the control application.

Some favorable publicity is better than none. Can't hurt.

While I prefer trains without electronics to fry, I like the comments about opening up

their protocols for public domaine use, vs. the current competitive and incompatible state of the hobby's systems.

Gentlemen we maybe reading about the future of our hobby.  There is no question the digital age is upon us and will be growing.  I, myself am not the least inclined to participate but I maybe eating those words in a few more years. 

The movie Godzilla was released with a record breaking $100 Million dollar opening weekend.  The 2012 release of the video game "Call of Duty Black Ops 2" took in $500 Million in the first 24 hours. 

Way to go Lionel and good luck....

I can remember when I said I would never have a computer in the house.  Now there are 3 plus a tablet.  I got a cell phone for Christmas (my first!) and am still learning all it can do besides call 911 (lots!).  I got the Legacy Cab 1L to try command control.  I like it a lot but still like conventional better.  Now I am trying my hand at SCARM track planning software for the Christmas layout.  Old dogs really can learn new tricks.

I will someday have a layout in a holosuite....just like on Startrek!

Peter

That's pretty standard for a AAA game these days and some games are now topping the $1 billion mark within 24 hours. However, as with movies, big numbers can be misleading. Like movies, games have become enormously expensive to make and market. Also for every mega hit there are usually several mega duds whose expenses have to be recovered. Having worked in the video game business I'm not sure it's a model I'd encourage Lionel to follow!

I tried the Battle Train game and wasn't all that impressed. If anything I thought it was pretty off-brand for Lionel and the impression I get is of an once iconic brand trying in desperation to remain relevant, much like when Schwinn began to expand beyond the IBD market and into mainstream/big box retailers following their 1992 bankruptcy. 

Personally, I think Lionel needs to do a better job of understanding their customer segmentation. By and large they seem to focus on the core collector and kids. The core collector makes sense but kids seems like barking up the wrong tree. For starters, kids are consumers not customers. Personally, I think they'd be better off targeting people in their late-20's to late-30's. At that stage people are usually established in their careers (they have the money) and homeowners (they have the space). It's also the age when they're likely to have small kids and buying a train set "for the kids" is no doubt an argument many of us have made to our spouses. I'd also try advertising in places that are likely to appeal to people in this age group and who might be interested in a hands-on hobby and/or are part of the maker movement. Make: magazine (http://makezine.com/) and Instructables.com are two good examples. Estes model rockets is currently sponsoring a contest on Instructables and they're a much smaller company than Lionel. 

CRAZY good stuff!

Thanks Lionel for going the extra digital mile to keep the hobby alive!

I always thought the best sales driver for trains was fathers spending time with their sons.  Wth the huge reduction in married parents and committed fathers, I think the odds are stacked against the traditional business model.  Good on Lionel for trying to adapt.