Press Releases
New Flash
The Golden Game... When Prep Football Was King in New Orleans.
This book, by Ron Brocato, is scheduled for release on or about June 1.
In announcing the release of his book, Brocato says, "Over my last 36 years as a sports writer I had the opportunity to study the history of high school football in New Orleans. In this endeavor, I wanted to make sure the story of the game in his Golden Era was told in great detail as a legacy to all the many coaches and players who set the standard for the game we enjoy today. I believe The Golden Game has accomplished that goal. I chose Mardi Gras historian Arthur Hardy as the publisher because he is also head of the Warren Easton Hall of Fame."
"The book tells the story of not only the sport and the City of New Orleans growing up together through the years prep games were played before thousands of fans in all kinds of weather, but the book is also about neighborhoods and what it was like to live in those times. There are hundreds of historic photographs along with 200,000 words of text. It portrays how schools like St. Aloysius, Holy Cross, Jesuit, Warren Easton, Fortier, Nicholls, Peters, Behrrnan, Redemptorist and the other private and parish schools got started and the stories of their administrations, coaches and players. All the dear people you knew are probably in the book."
For further information, thegoldengame@aolcom or 504 455-4623
Cactus Reveals Settlers of Canaan
Cactus Game Design, manufacturers of the Redemption trading-card game, will release the Settlers of Canaan board game in July. Settlers of Canaan uses the award winning hex-based system developed by HIaus Teuber and used in the Settlers of Catan board-game series. Not only has Cactus Game Design licensed the system from Mayfair Games, the holder of English rights to Settlers of Catan, it also has the original developer, Teuber, proofreading the game. "HIaus and his son, Guido, have been involved at every step in the process to maintain the quality of game," said Rob Anderson of Cactus Games Design. In Settlers of Canaan each player takes the part of one of the tribes of Israel, with the goal of settling and developing Canaan and assisting in the building of Jerusalem. Settlers of Canaan will retail at $29.99.
Figure International Magazine
The magazine for the discerning modeler & collector.
The new quarterly magazine on miniature figures.
• Interviews with the world's best figure sculptors and painters. In this first issue an interview with Ray Lamb, the founder of Poste Militaire, the foremost British figure manufacturer.
• Articles on the history and uniformology of all armies, including some full color original illustrations.
• Step by step painting for the latest releases. Master modellers will explain both their painting techniques and secrets.
• The very latest products of all manufacturers. Coverage and exclusive reports on the best European & US competitions.
• All English
Athearn New Releases
Here's what we plan to ship to distributors in the next couple of weeks.
GENESIS "F" Units
G1504 F7A-F7B Great Northern #365A and 365B
G1604 F7A-F7B Great Northern #452A and 452B
Ready-To-Roll
7551 50' Mech Reefer-Northern Pacific
7400 Std Caboose-Santa Fe Christmas Caboose
John Deere
8100 Deere "C" Service Truck (stake bed with tires)
8101 Deere "C" Van -50 and 60 series
Coming later this month
G6168 SD70M Union Pacific #4357
G6169 SD70M Union Pacific #4546
G6170 SD70M Union Pacific #4674
These are "non-flag" units. We are asked constantly if we will be doing the "flag" units. Answer is that decision has not been made yet.
Newly-Announced 1/6 Action Figures from Dragon
€Dragon: Bernhart (described as a grizzled veteran of the bloody Eastern
Front! Ouch!), Bruno, Heer Infantry Private, France 1940, M30 & M38 Gas Mask
sets, an SAS Patrol Set and SAS Assault set. Also German Camo Zeltbahn &
Field Accessories, sets 3 & 4. ETA on shipping for these is early June.
Five Classic Wargames See New Light
L2 Design Group announced five classic wargames that it will reprint in new editions with enhanced graphics, updated rules, and elegant components. The five games (and original publication dates) are: third edition Streets of Stalingrad (1979 and 1982) in the spring of 2002; second edition Korsun Pocket (1979) in early 2003; second edition Dunkerque-1940 (1972) in 2004; and second editions of Khalkhin-Gol (1975) and Dien Bien Phu (1973) in 2005.
L2 also plans to release a special Player's Guide for third edition Streets of Stalingrad as well as the long-anticipated Expansion Kit to link the two-game second edition version of SOS published by Nova Game Designs: Fire on the Volga and Battle for the Factories. Two other World War II East Front games to be announced at a future date are also under development.
"This schedule is designed to establish us as a serious wargame publishing company," said Art Lupinacci, President of L2. "Our position in the market is specializing in reprinting great old games with state-of-theart graphics, refined rules, and the highest quality components."
Streets of Stalingrad and Korsun Pocket are both "monster" games initially released in 1979 by Phoenix Games and People's War Games, respectively. They each featured multi-piece game maps and more than 2,000 unit counters. SOS won a Charles Robert award in 1980 and KP won a Game Designers' Guild Select Award in 1980. Both games have been much sought-after collector items.Dunkerque-1940, Khalkhin-Gol, and Dien Bien Phu were all designed by Dana Lombardy, co-owner of L2, and originally published by Lombardy's company Simulations Design Corporation.
Firefly Lights Up and Takes Flight
A new publisher has soared into the adventure game industry.
Established in January 2002, Firefly Games plans an exciting line-up of games for people of all ages.
Firefly Games is the creation of game industry veteran Patrick Sweeney. A freelance writer, Sweeney has written for Gold Rush Games, Steve Jackson Games, Eden Studios and West End Games. His first book, San Angeo: City of Heroes, was nominated for an Origins Award.
While he plans to continue his freelancing career, Sweeney founded Firefly Games to more fully express his own creative vision on select projects as a publisher.
"I'm keenly interested in not only producing fun products for existing games, but also in attracting new customers to the hobby that we all find so enjoyable," Sweeney said.
Firefly Games plans to initially focus on inexpensive, easy-to-learn games with broad appeal both inside and outside the core gamer market.The name of the company has a twofold meaning. "First, I like fireflies," Sweeney said. "I think they're fun, just like our games."
The second reason goes back to World War II, when American M-4 Sherman tanks deployed during the invasion of Europe faltered against the superior Panzer and Tiger tanks of Nazi Germany. Only a few experimental tanks, which had been outfitted with a heavier cannon, could match the German armor. The small tanks with big guns were dubbed Fireflies. "Like those tanks, Firefly Games is a tiny company that aims to make a big impression,"Sweeney said.
The company's first product will be Monster Island: The Game of Giant Monster Combat, scheduled for release in July. The first expansion, Monster Alert, is scheduled for release in September.
F Series Postage Stamp Planes Model Power
The latest batch of Model Power's Postage Stamp planes, the F Series, was to release in spring and feature 10 pieces. The series includes a 1:64 model of the Nieuport 28 biplane; 1:94 Aeromacchi MB 339; 1:96 P-80 Shooting Star; 1:100 models of the F-84 Thunderstreak, Alphajet and G101; 1:114 Super Etendard; 1:120 Rafale; 1:140 A-6 Intruder; and 1:400 Tupolev Tu160. Pricing should be about $9.98 apiece. All come with a stand and pad-printed graphics.
New Genesis Trucks from Athearn
You've seen these trucks mounted on the highly detailed 60' Berwick boxcars in the Athearn Genesis line, and now they are available for separate sale. The Genesis HO ASF Ride Control 100-Ton trucks are molded in low friction plastic for smooth operation and great detail. These trucks have a 5' 10" wheelbase with 36" wheels and realistic rotating bearing caps. They are appropriate for use on many pieces of freight equipment, including SO- to 120-ton cars.
Magic conjures up action figures
Wizards of the Coast Inc. has announced plans to release limited quantities of the first collectable Magic: The Gathering action figures in fall 2002. Based on popular iconic characters and top creatures from the smash competition-based strategy game, Magic Action Figures are chiseled into dynamic poses that mimic their actual cards in high detail from sculpture and paint perspectives.
Each action figure will also include a randomly inserted Seventh Edition card from the Magic trading card game, which was invented by Richard Garfield and first released in 1993.
The creatures and characters chosen to be the first Magic action figures are among the most celebrated of the thousands that have been introduced on game cards over the last nine years. The Serra Angel, Lord of Atlantis, Sengir Vampire and Erhnam Djinn action figures will solidify the legendary popularity of time-honored cards that are still highly sought after by collectors, professional tournament players and casual players alike. The Kamahl, Pit Fighter action figure will reinforce the rapid popularity of the card of the same name, which first appeared n1 the Odyssey expansion, released in October 2001.
Another action figure will add new dimensions of celebrity and empowerment for one professional Magic player. The Shadowmage Infiltrator action figure is based on a card designed by the 2000 Magic Invitational champion, Jon Finkel. The action figure bears resemblance to both Finkel and his card, which was also included in the Odyssey expansion.
The fall release marks a new product category for the Magic: The Gathering product line. It is also the second game innovation this year, after the release of Magic Online, that will provide players and fans with a fresh and heightened way to experience the game. Players and fans will finally have something solid to collect and display that represents coveted cards, reputed game-play strategies, and heroes or foes featured throughout the Magic novels.
New Dragon 1/6 Figures Announced
Captain Miller (Normandy), and Curtis: USMC Maritime Special Purpose Force, arrived from Dragon as well as set 1 & 2 of the A.L.I.C.E. packs.
Moore & Smith, from Dragon, which is based on "We Were Soldiers" movie has been announced. It is a duo set, plus there will be a single "Moore". Also a modern French policeman, "Hubert" (based on a soon-to-be released movie Wasabi). In addition, there will be 2 camouflage Zeltbahn sets. All of these should be late April or early May.
MRC Launches Korean Model Line
Model Rectifier Corp. plans to introduce a new line of plastic military models, Kangnam, from South Korea that will begin shipping in June.
The Kangnam line will focus mainly on military aircraft, but also will include a number of ships, says Frank Ritota, MRC president. Ritota says the new line will be equal in quality to other lines but should have a price advantage on many plastics lines.
A couple of the first models in the line include a 1:600-scale battleship New Jersey and a 1:32 Northrup F-5E Tiger II. Ritota says he expects 25-30 kits of varying scales in the lineup, with about 80% of those available by June. Models will be priced in the $5 to $50 range.
Ritota believes the Kangnam line will compliment the Academy lineup that Edison, N.J: based MRC already sells.
Precedence Closes
Precedence Entertainment, Tempe, Ariz., is closing because it no longer can make money on its products. The company said it was to cease production and close its doors by April 12.
Company president Paul Brown attributed the closing of distributors such as Wargames West and Zocchi as a primary cause for the company's demise. He also says that sales of CCGs continue to fall across the industry.
Wizards Sells GenCon
Wizards of the Coast, Renton, Wash., has reached an agreement with former owner Peter Adkison to sell him the GenCon gaming convention in 2002. The announcement came on the final day of the GAMA trade show in Las Vegas.
Don Williams, Wizards' public relations manager, says the transition will begin in May and continue through the show in mid-August. Williams also says that the change should not be noticeable.
Adkison says, "wizards called me to let me know that they were planning on selling GenCon and to see if I was interested. I told them I was and it went from there." He added that the letter of intent was signed during the GAMA trade show and the deal should be finalized in April or May.
When asked about changes he intends to make. Adkison says, "I hired Dave Wilson (Wizards' senior manager of event management), and he can bring in whatever team he wants. I like the plan that the show uses."
New From Micro Trains
N, Z. - Micro-Trains has released a 50' rib side boxcar with single door for Montana Rail Link. Montana Rail Link took over portions of Burlington Northern on October 31, 1987. In anticipation of that move, BN repainted this 50' rib side boxcar with single door and without roofwalk in MRL blue with white lettering, and red and white logo. The boxcar red on the door was later changed to MRL blue as well. The `Flying W' symbol is the logo of MRL,'s parent company, the Washington Corporation, owned by Dennis Washington. MRL hauls forest products, grain, cement and other products along nearly 450 miles of track in Montana, Idaho, and Washington. Suggested retail price for the MRL boxcar (#25620) is $15.40.
Micro-Trains has released a 50' rib side boxcar for Railbox Company. In January, 1978, Railbox took delivery of this 50' rib side box car with plug and sliding door, and without roofwalk. It is painted yellow with black lettering. The 5,277 cubit foot box is equipped with Barber roller bearing trucks. In January 1974, the TTX Company, headquartered in Chicago, formed a subsidiary to operate a pool of free-running box cars. The subsidiary's name was `Railbox Company' and the cars' reporting marks were ABOX and RBOX. The job of this subsidy was to provide relief for the shortage of unassigned general service box cars. Suggested retail price for the Railbox box car (#26010) is $17.95.
Intermountain Releases New Freight Cars
HO, N, O - Intermountain has released new freight cars schemes in HO, N, and O scales. All models are available in twelve roadnumbers unless noted.
Newly released are the following as sembled HO scale freight cars: 4750 cubic foot 3-bay covered hopper for Alcan Chemical Products (#45342). Painted yellow with black lettering, the triangular shaped placard carries the Alcan company logo. Suggested retail price is $26.95.
A 1937 AAR 40' boxcar for Chicago & North Western (#45708) is available fully assembled in HO scale. Painted mineral brown with white lettering, the models are decorated with "The Overland Route" slogan on one side and "Route of the Streamliners" on the other. Suggested retail price is $26.95
A fully assembled 1937 AAR 40' boxcar for Baltimore & Ohio (#45716) is available in HO scale. Painted boxcar red with white lettering, this paint scheme has the large B & O to the right of the door. On the left side is the small "Capital Building" herald. Suggested retail price is $26.95.
A HO modified AAR boxcar for Southern (#45814) is available fully assembled. Painted boxcar red with white lettering, these boxcars are decorated with one of the large billboard paint schemes common in the 1950 & 60s. Suggested retail price is $26.95.
A 12 Panel 40' boxcar for Great Northern Glacier Green - Empire Builder (#46011) is available fully assembled in HO scale. The model is painted "Glacier Green" with white Empire Builder style lettering. The goat herald is red, white & black. Suggested retail price is $26.95.
A fully assembled ACF Type 27 Riveted 8,000 gallon tank car for Spencer Kellogg & Sons Inc. (#46303) is available in HO scale. The model is painted black with white lettering. Suggested retail price is $26.95.
An assembled HO scale ACF center flow 2-Bay hopper for Chicago, Burlington & Quinry (#46506) is available. The model is painted gray with red lettering. The "Burlington Route" herald is red, white and black. Suggested retail price is $26.95.
USRA Composite drop bottom gondola for Hocking Valley is available fully assembled in HO scale (#46609). The model is painted black with white lettering. The sides and floors on this model are real laser-cut wood panels. Suggested retail price is $26.95.
A fully assembled R-40-10 Refrigerator Car - Premium Line PFE - Black & White (#4G703P) is available in HO scale. These cars are painted with red oxide roof and ends. The sides are PFE orange and the lower sidesill is black. The SP and UP heralds are both painted black & white on this paint scheme. Suggested retail price is $32.95.
A 60' PS-1 Canadian Pacific Boxcar kit is available in HO scale (#41911). These giant boxcars were delivered in a unique scheme - boxcar red with bold white "Canadian Pacific" in script lettering on either side of the 10 foot sliding door. These cars were sublettered for the International of Maine Division, CP's U.S. subsidiary. The CP took delivery of 126 of these cars (numbers 205500-205626) in October, 1966. Suggested retail price is $15.95.
Newly released in N scale:
A Cylindrical Covered Hopper - Trough Hatch Version GTA (#65110) is available fully assembled for N scale. The model is painted gray with black lettering. The GTA logo is painted in red and white. The Suggested retail price is $18.95.
A fully assembled 4750 Cubic Foot RibSided 3-Bay Covered Hopper is available in N scale for Frito-Lay, Inc. (#65336). The model is painted gray with black lettering. Suggested retail price is $18.95.
A fully assembled N scale R-40-23 Refrigerator Car NRC/IC (Green Diamond) (#65518) is available painted yellow with black ends, silver roof and green upper and lower stripes. The IC herald and all lettering is green. Suggested retail price is $17.95.
A 50' AAR Standard Double Door Boxcar Kansas City Southern (#65607) is available fully assembled for N scale. The boxcar is painted boxcar red with white lettering with "Route of the Southern Belle" slogan. Suggested retail price for the boxcar is $17.95.
A 1937 AAR 40' Boxcar New York, New Haven & Hartford (#65709) has been released fully assembled for N scale. The model is painted boxcar red with white lettering. Suggested retail 17.95
Available in N scale is a fully assembled 4750 Cubic Foot Rib-Sided 3-Bay Covered Hopper for Farmers Coop (#65338). The model is painted pink with black lettering. Suggested retail price is $18.95.
A R-40-23 Refrigerator Car Fruit Growers Express (#65508) is available fully assembled in N scale. The model is painted yellow with black lettering with brown ends.
Available fully assembled in N scale is an ACF Type 27 riveted 8,000 Gallon tank car for Robeson Process Company (#66301). The car is painted black with white lettering and has a Suggested retail price of $18.95.
A USRA Composite Drop Bottom for Gondola Chicago & North Western (#66602) has been released fully assembled in N scale. Painted boxcar red with white lettering, the model has real laser-cut wood sides and floors. The car has a Suggested retail price of $18.95.
CB&Q built a 50' standard boxcar with single door at their Havelock, Nebraska shops in August 1941. It is part of a 1,750-car fleet that was painted boxcar red with white lettering. One side carries the slogan `Everywhere West' and on the other, `Way of theZephyr. The 100,000 lb capacity car was built with Allied full-cushion trucks, which provided a smooth ride at high speeds and reduced the costs in freight damage, The Burlington traces its history to February 14, 1855, and in July 1, 1901 Great Northern and Northern Pacific purchased 98 percent of CB&Q's stock. The CB&Q boxcar (#31320) retails for $12.80.
A 50' auto boxcar with double side doors and an end door was built in September 1941 by the Greenville Steel Car Company of Greenville, Pennsylvania. It was painted boxcar red with black ends and white lettering. The 4,629 cubic foot, 100,000 lb. capacity car was part of a 75-car fleet, which was equipped with Dreadnaught end-loadingdoors and Bettendorf trucks. The Pere Marquette merged into the Chesapeake & Ohio in June 1947, and the `PM' reporting marks were gradually replaced by `C&O.'
In December 1996, the American Car and Foundry built a 3 bay Center Flow covered hopper with elongated hatches. It is painted for Illinois Central in dark gray with white lettering. The IC logo is also painted; in white. The 5,150 cubit foot capacity hopper rolls on Barber roller bearing trucks. The IC is known as the most efficient and safest railroad in North America. In February 1998, Canadian National purchased IC, but kept the cars' markings in order to avoid paying additional Canadian sales taxes. The IC boxcar (#94200) retails for $22.85.
DM Custom Decals
DM Custom Decals, 2127 South 11 St., Manitowoc, WI 54220; (920) G84-8G88, has released the following decal sets in N scale: C&O, Chessie, Great Lakes Car Ferry decals for Badger and Spartan car ferries, and Edmund Fitzgerald Great Lakes Ore boat. Also available are the following HO scale decal sets: Green Bay & Western Diesel Hood unit, Green Bay & Western Ballast Car, Green Bay & Western Yellow Open Gondola, Green Bay & Western Red Open Gondola, Green Bay & Western Yellow Caboose, White House Milk Co. Refrigerator, Chief Oshkosh Beer Refrigerator, Peoples Beer (Oshkosh, Wis.) Refrigerator, Chicago & Northwestern Steam Locomotive, Chicago & Northwestern Ore Car (circa 70s), Chicago & Northwestern Ore car (circa 40s 50s),DMIR Flat Car, DMIR Open Gondola, DMIR Covered Hopper, DMIR Ore Car, Wabash Open Gondola (circa 44), C&O, Chessie Great Iakes Car Ferry decals for Badger and Spartan car ferries, Edmund Fitzgerald Great Lakes Ore Boat.
New Assembled PS-1 Boxcars from Kadee
Kadee has release the following new 40' and 50' PS-1 boxcars. The new models, as with all Kadee releases, are assembled and ready to run.
Atchison, Topeka, & Santa Fe is the route of the El Capitan factory new white lettering scheme with a black & white herald, dark tuscan painted sides & ends, and a black roof. This car is equipped with the 6' Camel-Youngstown door and the Ajax brake wheel.
Vermont RailWay is available in white lettering, green painted sides, and black roof and ends. The car features a Galvanized running board and is equipped with a 75 Panel Superior door and the Universal brake wheel.
St. Louis-San Franciso is available in factory new whire lettering with the black and white herald and "Ship it on the Frisco!" slogan. The car also features red oxide painted sides, ends and roof and a galvanized running board. This car is equipped with a 9' Camel Youngstown door and the Ajax brake wheel.
Chicago & North Western is the route of the "400" Streamliners. It is painted with factory new, white lettering scheme, red oxide painted sides, and black ends and roof. This car is equipped with the 7' 5" Panel Superior door and the Universal brake wheel.
Norfolk & Western is painted in white lettering, with boxcar red painted sides, ends and roof. This car is equipped with a 8' Camel-Youngstown door and the Champion Peacock brake wheel.
Maine Central -MEC is painted in factory new yellow lettering, with green painted sides, ends and roof. This car is equipped with a 9' Camel-Youngstown galvanized door and the Modern Miner brake wheel.
New Ready-to-Run Paks from MDC
N - Two different sets of modern readyy-to-run boxcards have been released by Model Die Casting.
The first group features modern paint-out schemes for 50'foot boxcars from four different roads. The FourPak includes a waffle-side boxcar for Seaboard; singe-door boxcars for two roads, Green Bay & Western and Richmond, Fredericksburg & Potomac; plus an offset double door boxcar for McCloud River (a ex-Prineville car).
The second group, features two cars of the Erie Lackawanna road; a 5-'foot hi-cube plug-door boxcar and a 57-foot mechanical reefer. Each Erie Lackawanna scheme in the FourPak is released in two different road numbers.
Each fully-assembled car come complete with metal wheels, Rapido-style couplers attached and the MDC knuckle-coupler included.
Midwest's Scale Lumber Gauge
Midwest's new Scale Lumber Gauge is designed expressly for use with Midwest's Basswood Scale Lumber and other hobby woods, making it even easier to quickly and accurately identify and size the material while building. The tool features built-in strip identification gauges in three popular model railroad gauges (O, HO & N) the ¼" = 1 scale, popularly used by architectural model makers, is also included, as is a built-in 12-inch ruler with both English and metric measurements. Midwest's Scale Lumber Gauge is constructed of rugged plastic.
Wizards of the Coast Announces the Card of the Future
Wizards of the Coast has entered into an agreement with Nintendo and The Pokemon Company to develop and market the Card-e set, a new kind of expansion for the Pokemon trading card game. The Car-e expansion, an innovative new development in the TCG industry, combines tradition TCG play with the handheld technology of Game Boy Advance,
Cards in the Card-e expansion will be compatible with existing Pokemon TCG cards, and will also include bar codes that give the game an added dimension. A special reader, exclusively available for using Card-e cards with Game Boy Advance, allows players to experience the added bonus of electronic gaming. With the swipe of a game card, sound effects, graphics, or data will appear on the Game Boy Advance screen. When scanned with a series of other cards, select cards will produce simple games that game players can play on the Game Boy Advance.
For current players of the Pokemon TCG, the Card-e set will offer cards featuring familiar and popular Pokemon with brand-new attacks; new Trainer cards, which give players more options in the game; and Supporter cards, a new kind of Trainer card designed to aid Pokemon. The new cards will have new card backs and faces but will definitely be compatible with previous Pokemon TCG releases.
Star Wars CCG LicenseWizards of the Coast, Renton, Wash., has acquired a multi-year license from Lucasfilm to create CCGs based on the Star Wars universe.
Decipher, Norfolk, Va., previously had the license for six years and had created several games, including the Star Wars, Young Jedi and Jedi Knights CCGs.
While immediate plans were sketchy, Wizards planned to release its Star Wars CCG in April, just before the release of the movie, "Star Wars Episode II: Attack of the Clones."
According to Don Williams, Wizards' public relations manager, the game will feature the usual booster packs and starter decks, the latter of which will be broken into Beginner and Advanced versions.
Iron Crown Returns
A little more than a year after Iron Crown Enterprises filed for Chapter 7 liquidation bankruptcy, the company is back in business under new ownership.
Many of the original ICE assets, including RPG intellectual properties like Rolemaster, Shadow World and Cyberspace, were purchased at a federal bankruptcy court auction in Charlottesville, Va., on Nov. 19 by John R. Seal.
Seal then placed the assets into Aurigas Aldebaron LLC, which licensed the intellectual properties to Mjolnir LLC, which is doing business as ICE.
Bruce Neidlinger, a co-owner of Mjolnir along with his wife, Heike Kubasch, was co-founder of the original ICE in 1980.
What's on the horizon for the "new" ICE? "I've had a fair number of products in the pipeline," says Neidlinger, who also is treasurer for the Game Manufacturer's Association, adding he is contacting authors and artists who helped create pre-bankruptcy ICE products.
Decipher's 'Rings' Blows Through Initial Print Run
Capitalizing on the popular "The Lord of the Rings: the Fellowship of the Ring" movie, Decipher's Lord of the Rings CCG has sold out of its Premiere Set of starter decks within two months of its release.
"We are having a good sell-through all over the place," says Decipher's Karen Levy. "In the hobby stores, the sales were high right from the start because people were waiting for it."
Bachmann Announces HO Thomas line
Bachmann Industries has acquired the licensing for an HO-scale electric line of Thomas the Tank Engine products and plans to have them available this fall, says Doug Blaine, Bachmann's vice president of marketing.
The popular children's character has long been featured in videos and books as well as a television show, and Bachmann is hoping that its new HO-scale line of Thomas equipment will attract new people to model railroading. "Bringing in the Thomas line is a new effort to bring new people into the realm of electric trains," Blaine says.
This is something Bachmann already has experienced with its Harry Potter-licensed train sets, which have generated excellent reactions from dealers and consumers. "One dealer ... wrote to tell us that the Potter sets have stimulated a large interest in HO modeling among people who had never before heard of a hobby shop," Blaine says.
"We're also hearing from many people who have read the books and seen the movie and are now looking for more information and products."The new Thomas line will include both complete train sets and separate items. No specific release dates or item descriptions are available yet, but Blaine expects the products to be out by fall.
New Microscale Decal Features Potty Humor
Microscale raised some eyebrows, but also more than a few smiles, with its recent MC-4369 (HO) and 60-4369 (N) release for a Haslam Septic Co. tank truck. Haslam Septic is a Maine company that operates a fleet of tank trucks for hauling sewage. Following the Sept. 11 attacks, Haslam added American flags to its trucks, along with a slogan. Microscale's decals are faithful reproductions of the Haslam trucks, which feature the saying: "We take a lot of sh** from a lot of people, but we don't take any sh** from bin Laden." The decals, as with the real trucks, don't use asterisks.
Microscale's Craig Walker says reaction to the decals has been positive. "We wondered what the reaction would be, but no one's been offended by it yet," Walker says. "The HO decals are sold out, but we'll be reprinting them shortly and adding O-scale decals as well." The HO Minical retails for $2.25; the N-scale decal for $3.50.
In other news from Microscale, the California-based company announced it will offer a new line of 8-inch-tall, embossed metal signs featuring railroad heralds in full color. They're designed for display in a train room or rec room. The first five will be Great Northern, Pennsylvania RR, Santa Fe, Southern Pacific and Union Pacific. Colors will be true to the various prototypes, with lettering and other features raised.
Tracks Ahead Steams Forward in 2002
The 2002 season for the "Tracks Ahead" television series began in February. The 30-minute show includes segments on scale-model trains, toy trains, garden trains and real railroads, and will be carried by almost 200 public broadcasting stations nationwide. Funding for the series is provided largely by Kalmbach Publishing Co., along with Kato, the Model Railroad Industry Association and Wm. K. Walthers.
AeroTech Begins Building After Major FireAeroTech has selected a site and begun building its new 5,000-square-foot propellant manufacturing plant in Cedar City, Utah, after a devastating fire Oct. 15 destroyed a similar facility in Las Vegas.
The fire started when sparks from a manufacturing machine landed on nearby raw materials, say fire investigators.
The blaze was mainly fueled by ammonium perchlorate, but a later explosion was ignited when water from sprinkler systems and a broken plumbing line hit a 55-gallon barrel of magnesium, a chemical that causes an explosive gas when mixed with water, according to Clark County Fire Department spokesman, Steve La-Sky.
Six employees were injured in the fire and two critically burned, the Las Vegas Sun reported. Avelino Corpuz later died from those injuries.
AeroTech, maker of hobby rocket motors and kits, says it will resume production of its full line of advanced solid-fuel, composite rocket motors in March. It will begin with 28 of the most popular Hobby and Easy Access motors in 29mm and 38mm sizes.
AeroTech says its full line of rocket kits and ground support equipment is available now. The firm also says its headquarters and rocket-kit manufacturing facilities will remain in Las Vegas.
New Structures from Model Tech Studios
Model Tech Studios has released two new structures. The first is Bowens Hardwoods Mill in HO scale. The kit creates a mill scene and includes: varnishing tanks, drying room, log piles, finished hardwood piles, log shed, company sign, and illustrated instructions. The kit comes partially assembled. Retail price is $140.00.
Also available is a background structure designed for forced perspective applications in HO, S, and O scale. The structure is a preassembled skyscraper which measures 27" tall. Skyscraper #1 retails for $38.00. Also in the series are: Industrial Structures, Freight Yard, Countryside, Trees, and Clouds.
Tenth Trailer from Micro-Trains
In 1988, Burlington Northern painted a series of its 45' intermodal trailers with cityscape images in recognition of major cities it serves. Micro-Trains has released a series of trailer models in N scale depicting the BN prototypes.
The tenth MTL release of that series, recognizing Seattle, Washington, is painted white with green stripes and includes a color image of that city's features and surroundings. These include 605' Space Needle, constructed for the 1962 World's Fair in Seattle, the Cascade Range, and Douglas fir trees. The Seattle trailer retails for $22.50
1/400 USS Enterprise from Revell-Monogram
As a projection of American power, few warships before or since have rivaled the USS Enterprise. As the first nuclear powered surface warship, the Big "E" is also the largest. It has a displacement of 89,000 tons and can ply the oceans at speeds of over 30 knots. Revell-Monogram offers modelers a piece of naval history with their 1/400 scale version that includes details such as aircraft, moveable elevators, and Sea Sparrow missile launchers. It includes a one-piece hull, display stand, and name plate. Decals are included for deck and aircraft marking's.
Fast Forward Acquires Games Unplugged
Fast Forward Entertainment, publishers of Campaign magazine, has acquired Games Unplugged from Dynasty Presentations. Fast Forward will pick up Games Unplugged beginning with #15, to released in late February.
"We are very pleased that we are able to produce Games Unplugged, and at the same time, offer many new products and services that fit so well with Fast Forward's goals," said Fast Forward President James M. Ward. "Ken Whitman created Games Unplugged taking the magazine from idea to reality, and has done a wonderful job in creating a voice in the marketplace. We will continue many of the things that are proven winners with the magazine, and hopefully, bring some new direction that everybody will enjoy as well. We have hired Sean Everette as editor for our magazine division. Sean has been the editor for Games Unplugged for many issues, and we are very pleased with what he has to bring to our company."
Decipher Star Wars License Lapses
Decipher CEO Warren Holland announced that Lucasfilm would not continue its license with Decipher as of the end of 2001 on the Decipher website, during a Radio Free Decipher session Dec. 28.
Holland added, "While we have to accept this decision by Lucasfilm, I want to assure everyone that Decipher will not abandon our players, retailers, or distributors. Decipher's business is quite strong at the moment, and if it were up to us, we would be making Star Wars cards for the next 20 years." Decipher has a contractual sell-through period through April 30th for its Star Wars product, after which it can no longer sell product for the Star Wars, Young Jedi, or Jedi Knights trading-card games.
Decipher plans to continue to support Star Wars players, retailers, and distributors even after the sell-thorough period. Holland outlined plans to continue Decipher's Star Wars tournament prize support, player-ranking system, and the Decipher.com message boards. Most of these functions will be turned over to a non-profit committee of volunteers, to be known as "The Player's Committee for Star Wars CCGs." Decipher also plans to hold unofficial world championships for Star Wars, Young Jedi, and Jedi Knights at its convention, DecipherCon, held annually in Virginia Beach, VA.
Wizards of the Coast Snags Star Wars
As of Jan. 1 Lucasfilm granted an exclusive multi-year license to produce the Star Wars trading-card game to Wizards of the Coast, at the same time it's allowing its license with Decipher to lapse.
The new Star Wars trading-card game, which will not be compatible with Decipher's Star Wars, Young Jedi, or Jedi Knights trading-card games, is designed by Magic: The Gathering designer Richard Garfield. The game design will feature two levels of play, a basic version for novice garners and an advanced rules set for experienced trading-card game players. Like the Decipher designs before it, each deck will be either Light Side or Dark Side. The game will also use dice for randomization during conflict resolution. The first card set will include material from Star Wars Episode II: Attack of the Clones, and is scheduled for release in April, nearly a month before the release of the movie.
Wizards of the Coast plans to support the new game with a series of expansions, as well as with organized play through the DCI. The first expansion, Star Wars: Sith Rising, is scheduled for July release, while DCI-sanctioned tournament and league play will begin shortly after the release of the initial set.
Precedence Ceases Singles Sales
Precedence, publisher of the Rifts trading card game, has discontinued the sale of single cards from its company web site. This is a result of retailer concerns that were expressed in an open letter posted on the Game Industry Forum and published here in Comics & Games Retailer.
Rick Don, Precedence General Manager, commented, "At this point a number of retailers have contributed their concerns, as well as suggested alternative possibilities to us. In keeping with our high level of commitment to foster and maintain the best possible retailer-manufacturer relationships as a vehicle to ensure the best service and supply of product to our customers, after due study of our singles sales policy, we have decided to respect the retailer call to cease the practice and will do so effective immediately.
"We would like to thank everyone who communicated not only their concerns, but also their creative ideas and
input, most notably the members of the Game Industry Forum. Thank you for your support of Precedence and
the Rifts trading-card game