# Battle Play Combat-inspired toys cater to youthful males looking to exert aggression. By [Tana Makmanee](https://www.trendhunter.com/tmak), SVP, Research Services at Trend Hunter | Published Mar 24, 2014 | Category: [Life-Stages](https://www.trendhunter.com/pro/category/life-stages) Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/protrends/battle-play ## Key Figures - Trend score: 3.0/10 - Evidence articles: 6 ## What is the Battle Play trend? **Battle Play:** With boys often engaging in acts of aggression with others at school or at home, what initially starts out as innocent can easily turn into something unfavorable. As a method to keep potentially hostile tendencies under control, parents are turning to battle-inspired toys like swords and lasers to give boys a more secure way to exert their naturally antagonistic ways. Toys that encourage battling with others reflects a move toward more regulated sources of contentious behavior. ## At a Glance - Evidence: 6 featured examples - Articles from: Oct 1, 2012 to Dec 13, 2013 - Published: Mar 24, 2014 - Patterns: [Cyclicality](https://www.trendhunter.com/pattern/cyclicality), [Redirection](https://www.trendhunter.com/pattern/redirection) - Megatrends: [Curation](https://www.trendhunter.com/megatrend/curation), [Gamification](https://www.trendhunter.com/megatrend/gamification), [Nostalgia](https://www.trendhunter.com/megatrend/nostalgia) ## Audience - Gender: 70% men, 30% women - Primary generations: Gen Z, Millennial - Top markets: North America, Europe, Asia ## Themes within the Battle Play trend ### Rise of Battle-Inspired Toys Parents are turning to toys that encourage battling with others to give boys a more secure way to exert their naturally antagonistic ways. ### Authenticity in Fantasy Weapons and Props Prop makers are creating replicas of fantasy weapons, such as the Assassin’s Creed Hidden Blade, the Hobbit Deluxe Sting Sword, and the Gandalf FX Staff to make fantasy worlds more immersive. ### Merge of Physical and Virtual Battle Experiences The Virtual and Terrestrial Battling Robots merge physical and virtual battle experiences, allowing players to continue the fight virtually by plugging in a USB cable and playing with online avatars. ## What the Battle Play trend means for industry ### For Toy Industry The rise of battle-inspired toys shows a growing market for toys that cater to boys' aggressive tendencies. ### For Prop and Costume Industry The demand for authenticity in fantasy weapons and props offers opportunities for prop makers in film and TV production, cosplay, and LARPing. ### For Gaming Industry The merger of physical and virtual battle experiences offers possibilities for companies that develop games with physical components like virtual reality or augmented reality games. ## Trend signals for Battle Play Trend score 3.0 out of 10, from popularity 46%, activity 38%, freshness 8%. - Popularity: 46% - Activity: 38% - Freshness: 8% ## Examples of the Battle Play trend 6 featured examples from Oct 1, 2012 to Dec 13, 2013. - [Authentic-Looking Assassin Toys (UPDATED)](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/assassins-creed-hidden-blade): The Assassin’s Creed Hidden Blade Replica Looks Re (Category: Tech) Implication: Toy manufacturers can capitalize on the demand for highly-detailed, authentic-looking toys. - [Sci-Fi Sword Lasers](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/handheld-laser): This Powerful Handheld Laser Resembles a Lightsaber (Category: Tech) Implication: The defense industry can explore the use of high-powered handheld lasers for applications such as long-range targeting and crowd control. - [Authentic Wizard Weapons](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/gandalf-fx-staff): The Gandalf FX Staff is Perfect for Fighting Smaug (Category: Life-Stages) Implication: Cosplay businesses can benefit from selling high-end, realistic replicas of fantasy weapons for costume use. - [Galactic Thumb Games](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/star-wars-thumb-wrestling): The Star Wars Thumb Wrestling is an Upgrade From the Childhood Classic (Category: Life-Stages) Implication: The interactive and immersive nature of the Star Wars Thumb Wrestling book opens up opportunities for the publishing industry to create more engaging and innovative book products. - [Confrontational Combat Cyborgs](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/virtual-and-terrestrial-battling-robots): The Virtual and Terrestrial Battling Robots Fight Offline & Online (Category: Tech) Implication: Disruptive innovation opportunity: Combine gaming and robotics to create new immersive experiences for players. - [Battle Sounding Blades](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/hobbit-deluxe-sting-sword): The Hobbit Deluxe Sting Sword Lights Up and Makes Fighting Noises (Category: Life-Stages) Implication: Toy manufacturers can capitalize on the trend for film-inspired toy weapons by developing high-quality replicas with enhanced features and realistic details. ## Recent trend clusters - [Constructible Franchises](https://www.trendhunter.com/protrends/constructible-franchises) (Life-Stages) - [Assisted Choices](https://www.trendhunter.com/protrends/weight-loss-medication-support) (Lifestyle) - [Storyline Sips](https://www.trendhunter.com/protrends/themed-drink-menus) (Lifestyle) - [Bedtime Cocoon](https://www.trendhunter.com/protrends/sleep-sensory-blocking) (Lifestyle) ## Trending in Life-Stages - [Retro Graphic Tees](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/nostalgic-graphic-tees) - [Screen-Free Kids Phones](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/screen-free-kids-phones) - [Edible Oil-Based Lubes](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/coco-lube) - [Women's Health-Focused Probiotic Supplements](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/womens-health-probiotic-capsules) All articles: [Life-Stages](https://www.trendhunter.com/life-stages)