If you don't want to mess around his experience, etc. You might need to buy new ones.
The figures each store their own experience, stats, levels, hats, etc.; but only one data per figure. That can be erased in the game; which you don't want to do (I think).
Kinda.
Toys for Bob explained that they were asked to choose one franchise "to reboot" and they chose Spyro (and tried with "mature looks", regular platforming, etc..and weren't just happy); so if anything blame them.
Activision (fully)and Bobby Kotick apparently, didn't entered for the most part till later. Vicarious mentioned something similar while working in the guitar-grip for the DS Guitar Hero game and how they basically made it and then pitched the idea to Activision (but then knew they needed Nintendo's help, so pitched it to Nintendo..which like the idea and gave them support). So, guess Activision gives the team some time and resources to experiment on their own.