This immersive game draws kids and families into a cinematic dragon-training quest just ahead of the highly anticipated Universal Pictures’ live-action reimagining of DreamWorks Animation’s How to Train Your Dragon, releasing in theatres on June 13, 2025
SAN FRANCISCO – Nex, the leading motion technology company, in collaboration with Universal Products & Experiences, today launched DreamWorks How to Train Your Dragon: Riders of the Skies. Available now exclusively on the award-winning Nex Playground active play system, this interactive, motion-controlled game allows players to take flight in high-speed challenges inspired by the upcoming theatrical release of Universal Pictures’ reimagining of DreamWorks Animation’s How to Train Your Dragon. The highly anticipated, live-action reimagining of the first film soars into theaters June 13, 2025.
The launch of How to Train Your Dragon: Riders of the Skies marks a key moment leading up to the film’s release by giving players a chance to experience the high-flying, frenetic action right in their own living room.
In How to Train Your Dragon: Riders of the Skies, players take flight in high-speed, motion challenges inspired by the hit franchise. With intuitive flying mechanics, players use the motion of their bodies to fly, train and ride their favorite dragons to help defend the Isle of Berk from incoming threats. Featuring single and two-player modes, this skill-based adventure ensures family-friendly competition and excitement.
How to Train Your Dragon: Riders of the Skies Features:
- Iconic Locations: Players can experience up to six different game maps based on iconic locations from the world of How to Train Your Dragon, providing a wide range of diverse environments to master
- Engaging Game Modes: Players can hone their dragon-riding skills by learning to aim at targets, and transport sheep in Training mode, or protect the Isle of Berk from enemy dragons and showcase their combat skills in the Defend Berk maps
- Customized Experiences: Players can customize their gameplay experience by selecting their favorite dragon companion, including Toothless, Deadly Nadder, Gronckle, and more.
“How to Train Your Dragon: Riders of the Skies showcases the unique way riders can get off the couch and move their body together in some fire-breathing fun,” said David Lee, co-founder and CEO of Nex. “Soon, players can experience the How to Train Your Dragon film in theaters and afterwards come home and jump right back into the universe with Nex Playground. These types of moments are made possible by our continued collaboration with Universal Products & Experiences, who share our vision of family gaming.”
How to Train Your Dragon: Riders of the Skies is the third game released on Nex Playground in collaboration with Universal Products & Experiences, following previous releases Gabby’s Dollhouse: A-meow-zing Moves and Kung Fu Panda Train Like A Master. This partnership showcases the strength of the console’s expanding library of family-friendly games, and reinforces Nex’s commitment to delivering interactive experiences for all ages.
Fans can play How to Train Your Dragon: Riders of the Skies exclusively on Nex Playground through Play Pass–Nex Playground’s membership pass that offers access to the entire catalog of games with no ads. Nex Playground is a motion-controlled gaming console that transforms living rooms into interactive play spaces. How to Train Your Dragon: Riders of the Skies is one of over 40 amazing titles available on the gaming system that combine motion tracking and precise games to get kids and families moving.
Families interested in purchasing Nex Playground can find the active play system on Amazon as well as in Best Buy®, Target® and Walmart® online and select retail stores nationwide. Store availability can be found at https://nexplayground.com/stores. For more information and to view the full library of games, visit https://playground.nex.inc.
About Nex
Nex is helping families reconnect with the joy of movement through fun, social, and interactive content that’s accessible to all ages. Its award-winning Nex Playground active play system launched in December 2023, is designed in California, manufactured by Skyworth, a leader in home entertainment, and is powered by an Amlogic premium AI chip. With Nex Playground, cutting-edge AI and computer vision technologies are used to merge digital and physical worlds, immersing players in the experience using their natural body movement. Games range from original sports and fitness titles, to educational games and titles in collaboration with Hasbro, Sesame Workshop, Fruit Ninja and more. Since its founding, Nex has been recognized as one of Fast Company’s Most Innovative Companies, TIME’s Best Inventions, Parents’ Best Entertainment System for Families, and has received RedDot, IDEA, and Core77 international design awards. Nex Playground is also kidSAFE+ COPPA certified, highlighting the company’s firm stance on privacy and safety for kids and families.
To learn more, visit https://www.nex.inc or follow the company on Instagram and Facebook.
About Universal Pictures How to Train Your Dragon
From three-time Oscar® nominee and Golden Globe winner Dean DeBlois, the creative visionary behind DreamWorks Animation’s acclaimed How to Train Your Dragon trilogy, comes a stunning live-action reimagining of the film that launched the beloved franchise.
On the rugged isle of Berk, where Vikings and dragons have been bitter enemies for generations, Hiccup (Mason Thames; The Black Phone, For All Mankind) stands apart. The inventive yet overlooked son of Chief Stoick the Vast (Gerard Butler, reprising his voice role from the animated franchise), Hiccup defies centuries of tradition when he befriends Toothless, a feared Night Fury dragon. Their unlikely bond reveals the true nature of dragons, challenging the very foundations of Viking society.
With the fierce and ambitious Astrid (BAFTA nominee Nico Parker; Dumbo, The Last of Us) and the village’s quirky blacksmith Gobber (Nick Frost; Snow White and the Huntsman, Shaun of the Dead) by his side, Hiccup confronts a world torn by fear and misunderstanding. As an ancient threat emerges, endangering both Vikings and dragons, Hiccup’s friendship with Toothless becomes the key to forging a new future. Together, they must navigate the delicate path toward peace, soaring beyond the boundaries of their worlds and redefining what it means to be a hero and a leader.
The film also stars Julian Dennison (Deadpool 2), Gabriel Howell (Bodies), Bronwyn James (Wicked), Harry Trevaldwyn (Smothered), Ruth Codd (The Midnight Club), BAFTA nominee Peter Serafinowicz (Guardians of the Galaxy) and Murray McArthur (Game of Thrones).
How to Train Your Dragon is written, produced and directed by DeBlois. It is also produced by four-time Oscar® nominee Marc Platt (Wicked, La La Land) and Emmy winner Adam Siegel (Drive, 2 Guns). How To Train Your Dragon is part of the Filmed For IMAX® Program, which offers filmmakers IMAX® technology to help them deliver the most immersive movie experience to audiences around the world.
Inspired by Cressida Cowell’s New York Times bestselling book series, DreamWorks Animation’s How to Train Your Dragon franchise has captivated global audiences, earning four Academy Award® nominations and grossing more than $1.6 billion at the global box-office. Now, through cutting-edge visual effects, DeBlois transforms his beloved animated saga into a breathtaking live-action spectacle, bringing the epic adventures of Hiccup and Toothless to life with jaw-dropping realism as they discover the true meaning of friendship, courage and destiny.
About Universal Products & Experiences
Universal Products & Experiences (UP&E) globally drives the expansion and elevation of NBCUniversal's iconic collection of brands, intellectual properties, characters, and stories based on the company's extensive portfolio of properties created by Universal Pictures, Illumination, DreamWorks Animation and NBCUniversal Television and Streaming. The division executes this through innovative physical and digital products, engaging retail and product experiences across our expansive global theme park destinations (for both owned and 3rd party IP), location-based venues, e-commerce product platforms, and retailers around the world. Along with global brand strategy and creative, UP&E's three lines of business include Consumer Products, Games and Digital Platforms, as well as Theme Parks Products & Retail. UP&E is a division of Universal Parks & Resorts, part of NBCUniversal, a subsidiary of Comcast Corporation (NASDAQ: CMCSA).
More information is available at universalproductsexperiences.com.
