Lego Debuts Spatial Sandbox App for Vision Pro

The Lego Group's exploration into spatial computing is an extension of its long-standing strategy of embracing digital play to complement its physical toys. This strategy has seen the company venture into video games, augmented reality apps, and strategic partnerships, such as the one with Epic Games. In early 2025, Lego's parent company, KIRKBI, established LEGO Digital Play, a new entity dedicated to developing innovative digital gaming experiences independently from the core toy business. This move into the Vision Pro ecosystem places Lego alongside other educational and creative apps like CellWalk, which allows users to explore a 3D cell, and Art Universe, a platform for discovering new artists. The Lego app, "LEGO Builder's Journey," was originally an Apple Arcade title before being adapted for the Vision Pro, offering a puzzle-based experience in a mixed-reality environment. The development was facilitated by Unity's real-time 3D content platform, which now officially supports visionOS. For animation studios, the rise of generative AI is significantly impacting production workflows. AI tools are now being used for a variety of tasks including the rapid generation of character concepts, creating background elements, and automating the "in-betweening" process in animation. AI-powered storyboard generators can translate scripts into visual sequences in a fraction of the time it would take an artist, streamlining the pre-production phase. This allows smaller studios to compete more effectively by accelerating production timelines and reducing costs. The valuation of intellectual property is a critical factor in the acquisition landscape for kids' media companies. Acquirers often use an income-based approach, which calculates the present value of future income expected from the IP. This involves projecting future revenue streams and applying a risk-adjusted discount rate. Other methods include the market approach, which compares the IP to similar assets in recent transactions, and the cost approach, which considers the expense to reproduce the asset. As toy and media companies venture further into the digital realm, they face increasing scrutiny over child safety and screen time. In February 2026, Australia's e-safety regulator began scrutinizing Roblox over concerns about online predators. This followed lawsuits in the U.S. alleging the platform failed to protect children from harmful content. These events highlight the growing pressure on digital platforms to implement robust safety measures, a key concern for parents navigating their children's media consumption. The debate around screen time continues to evolve, with many parents expressing concern over the amount of time their children spend on devices. According to a 2025 Pew Research Center study, 90% of U.S. parents with children 12 and under report that their child watches TV, while 68% say they use a tablet and 61% use a smartphone. Despite the prevalence of screens, a significant number of parents feel they could be doing a better job of managing their children's screen time.