In an unexpected move, Lego Dimensions has revealed that players not only need to construct gadgets and vehicles in the game but in the real world as well. Additionally the game Toy Pad can detect three different builds for each of the items.

Building these elements in the real world, with the instructions found in the game, then opens up new abilities and ways to get around the game. This is a nice touch as it gives the toys themselves more significance in the experience and also children more reason to play both the on-screen and off-screen experience.

This could account for the higher price of the Starter Pack if it had to include new technology to read bricks in this way rather than just the standard NFC tech.

The question is how the Toy Pad peripheral is achieving this. I suspect the certain bricks are detectable like with the Lego Ultra Agents technology. With LEGO Dimensions being released in September and the upcoming Skylanders SuperChargers and Disney Infinity touting Star Wars it will be interesting to see who grabs the most attention at this year’s E3.