Disney is exiting the self-published console game business, primarily Disney Infinity, and taking a $147 million charge, the company announced in a note to its earnings report after the close today.  The move is something of a surprise, as sales on the line had passed Activision’s Skylander last Fall, according to a report in Fortune (see “’The Force Awakens’ Makes ‘Disney Infinity’ #1”).  But somewhere along the way consumers apparently stopped buying, as the $147 million charge was primarily for an inventory writedown, the company said. 

The move will wipe out 300 jobs, according to the Los Angeles Times.

Sales on the Disney Infinity line hit $1 billion in its first year after launch in 2013 (see “Disney’s ‘Infinity’ Will Hit $1B”) with characters from a number of Disney movies.  The line expanded the following year with the introduction of Marvel characters (see “Disney Infinity:  Marvel Super Heroes’ Release Date”), with Star Wars added in 2015. 

Activision remains in the Collectible Miniatures Game/video game hybrid category with its Skylanders line, which created the category. 

Disney will remain in the video game business by licensing its intellectual properties to other companies, although there was no mention of a potential license of Disney Infinity.