ActiMates

ActiMates were a series of interactive toys released by Microsoft in February, 1997, which were in the form of licensed dolls which could interact with certain episodes of their respective television series on VHS videocassette which were bundled with the dolls.

Microsoft released seven characters including Arthur, his sister DW, the four Teletubbies and Barney. The company discontinued the dolls in 2000. The dolls could interact with the TV and the computer (the Teletubbies could not interact with the PC). The toys were marketed as educational tools and gave positive affirmations for correct answers from the user. They could also be played without the packs for the VCR and computer. [ [https://www.microsoft.com/presspass/press/1997/feb97/actimate.mspx Microsoft Launches ActiMates Early Learning System At Toy Fair: Unique Realmation Animation Technology Makes Interactive Barney Ideal Learning Partner ] ] [ [https://www.microsoft.com/presspass/features/1998/9-29mates.mspx ActiMates Arthur and D.W. Join the First Family of Interactivity, Teaching Kids That "Learning is More Fun With a Partner": This brother-sister act is now available, joining "cousin" Barney and bringing more "edutainment" to the neighborhood ] ]

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