toyetic

[ taw-yet-ik ]

adjective

1. (of a character or object from a movie, TV show, etc.) potentially marketable as a toy:

   a toyetic superhero.

2. (of movies or other forms of mass entertainment) having merchandising potential:

   toyetic comic books.

toyetic

/ ˌtɔɪˈɛtɪk /

adjective

1. (of a film or television programme) having the potential to generate consumer interest in associated merchandise, such as toys, computer games, etc

Word History and Origins

Origin of toyetic¹

toy ( def ) + -etic ( def ); supposedly coined by Bernard Loomis (1923–2006), U.S. toy developer and marketer, in a conversation with U.S. film director Steven Spielberg about making figures based on Spielberg’s movie “Close Encounters of the Third Kind” (1977)

Example Sentences

But the game’s light, toyetic presentation, its gorgeously lit, doll-like figures goofing around in hypercolor towns, beaches and casinos, undermines its core narratives about pain and sacrifice, about people tortured by their fates.

From New York Times

Given the popularity of the character, it seemed odd at first that there wasn't any merchandise available based around such an obviously toyetic character.

From Salon

His boss, Bernie Loomis, coined a term for this: Toyetic.

From Washington Times

His boss, Bernie Loomis, coined a term for this: Toyetic.

From Seattle Times

They’re what the merchandising industry calls “toyetic” — something made to be a mass-consumable product first, and a character later.

From The Verge