Press Release
News Flash
Fantasy Flight Games Raises Prices 10-25%
Fantasy Flight Games has announced across the board price increases on its board and card game lines of from 10% to 25%, and averaging around 20%. Citing energy, commodity, and labor cost increases, the company is implementing new prices.
The price increases take MSRPs on FFG's highest-priced board games (World of Warcraft, Starcraft, and Twilight Imperium) to $89.95.
The FFG price hikes follow by only a couple of weeks price increases of roughly 20% announced by Games Workshop, for similar reasons. Of course, price increases by game companies are not infrequent events, but the size and breadth of these changes are eye popping. Entertainment value has been a primary reason why game sales have been holding up well despite economic conditions, and price increases can cut into the value proposition that games offer. But FFG CEO Christian Petersen believes that the company's value is sound. "Even with the price increases that we announce here today," he said, "I still think that our customers will find FFG products among the best values in the industry
BLMA enters HO-, N-scale markets
BLMA Models has announced the Norfolk Southern TopGon G-85R, G-86R and G-88R as its first freight car in HO and N scales. These models will come ready-to-run with accurate detail and printing. The first release of this car will feature 36 different road numbers and three different paint schemes. Future runs will follow, allowing modelers to make complete trains without repeating a number or paint scheme. Delivery is expected in early 2009.
Northwest Shortline Sold
Oso Railworks Inc. of Hamilton, Mont., has acquired Seattle-based NorthWest Short Line in its entirety. All of NWSL's operations will be moved to Hamilton, Mont., where production of NWSL's entire product line will continue. NorthWest Short Line has been producing precision drivetrain components and wheelsets in virtually all model railroad scales for more than 50 years, plus a line of tools designed specifically for the model craftsman and other products.
White Wolf Expands Board Game Line With Eve, WoD, Others
White Wolf is continuing to expand its board game line, with a second Exalted game, a Hunter game, and a game based on parent CCP's Eve MMOG property all due before the end of the year. Eve: Conquests will be a big box board game with a $74.99 MSRP. The board will be 30" x 32" and "there will be lots of very hefty pieces," designer Petur Thorarinsson told us. The game will be for two to four players, and take two to four hours to play.
"It's got a Euro-style mechanic to it," Thorarinsson said. "It's very easy to learn, but has a very deep game play and a lot of strategy to it." Thorarinsson indicated that no knowledge of the Eve universe would be necessary to play the game, and that although Eve Online players would be a natural audience for it, some gamers would undoubtedly be introduced to the Eve universe for the first time by the board game.
Exalted: Legacy of the Unconquered Sun was available in limited quantities at Gen Con, but will now street in October. It too is a $74.99 big box game, with a fold-out board and hundreds of cards, counters, and playing pieces. It's for two to five players, who will assume the roles of Solar Exalted who set forth on adventures to win the blessings of their celestial patron.
Exalted: War for the Throne shipped earlier this year and sold quickly. White Wolf has also been using its World of Darkness property as source material for board games. Vampire: Prince of the City, was released earlier this year, and Hunter: Deadly Prey is slated for November. The Hunter game is a $24.99 horror strategy game for three to five players. It includes 12 monsters to choose from to defy hunters, 100 City Cards, 75 Arsenal and Influence Cards, and 25 Hardship Cards.
Other White Wolf games in this category have not used existing IP. Mwa Ha Ha Ha! and Monster Mayhem are both more lighthearted games at lower price points ($34.99 and $44.99, respectively). We asked Ken Cliffe, board game developer at White Wolf, why the company is pursuing board games as a way to grow. "We just wanted to expand into all the aspects of gaming that fans would enjoy," he told us. "And it just seemed like a natural segue, especially for Exalted. It's such a high- action game, it lends itself to the board game medium."
We asked whether there were any common stylistic elements between the board games in White Wolf's line, and Cliffe indicated there are not. "We're in kind of an unusual place because we have Icelanders and Americans working at our company, so we blend both just by virtue of the people working on staff," he said. "Each one has its own unique flavor. I wouldn't say that there's a special theme among all our designs. When I'm working on something I err toward fast play and fun, a light-hearted kind of game. Then there are others who go for the beard-stroking kind of game, where you sit and contemplate everything that's going on. We're trying to do both."
Wizards of the Coast Revises D&D 4th Edition
Wizards of the Coast has announced on its Website that it is planning to issue a revision to the Dungeons & Dragons 4th Edition Game System License (GSL) and System Reference Document (SRD). Linae Foster, the D&D Licensing Manager, put it this way: "We recognize the important role third party publishing support plays in the success of the 4th Edition of Dungeons & Dragons.
We have listened to the community and our valued colleagues and have taken their concerns and recommendations to heart. Our commitment to the health of the industry and hobby gaming lifestyle is reflected in the revisions to the Game System License." The announcement indicated that the revised GSL and SRD documents "will be available in the very near future."
In an attempt to avoid the over-proliferation of third party D&D-related releases that resulted from WotC's first attempt at stimulating the market by creating an open gaming license, Wizards announced last November that there would be no "System Trademark Licensing" associated with 4th Edition. Then in January came the announcement of a two- tiered rollout of 4th Edition content to third party developers and the early availability of an OGL (Opening Gaming License) Designers Kit with a cost of $5000 .
The reaction to the 4th Edition GSL has been mixed at best. While some companies such as Mongoose and Goodman are producing third party 4th Edition product, others such as Green Ronin and Necromancer are not. Necromancer's President Clark Peterson called the 4th Edition GSL "an unmitigated failure", and Green Ronin's Chris Pramas stated that his company, which was one of the most successful RPG publishers to emerge from the d20 glut, "will not be signing the Game System License (GSL) at this time," claiming that "we do not... feel that this license treats third-party publishers as valued partners".
MTH to get some Broadway Limited tooling
MTH Electric Trains and MKT (formerly Korea Brass) announced that the companies have resolved their longstanding legal battle in a settlement that includes a cash payment and the transfer of some tooling for Broadway Limited HO locomotives to MTH. Also resolved were two other cases involving a patent for Digital Command Control sound effects and a QSI patent infringement suit against MTH.
Osprey Turns 40
Osprey Publishing is celebrating its 40th anniversary in London, England, this November. Founded in 1968 as an imprint of Berkshire Printing, which was in turn owned by Brooke Bond, a tea company, Osprey's first book, North American P-51D Mustang in USAAF-USAF Service, the first in the Aircam Aviation series, appeared in 1969. The art of then leading aviation illustrator, Dick Ward, and authoritative narrative set the standard for all Osprey publications to follow.
Well known among history enthusiasts, military modelers and wargamers, Osprey's books have become indispensable reference materials and cover a wide range of topics from the armies of ancient times to the uniforms of Napoleonic grenadiers to the merits and faults of the P-47 in the skies over Europe during World War II.
To commemorate the event, Osprey is publishing two books. The first, Men-at-Arms: A Celebration, is a hardcover book that collects the best art from Osprey's popular Men-at-Arms series. The book, which comes with a slipcase cover, will retail for $100 and includes an introduction by the series founder, Martin Windrow.
The second book is a reprint of From Rocks to Rockets: Arms and Armies Through the Ages. Written by artist and scholar, William Gilkerson in 1964, From Rocks to Rockets, which will retail for $14.95, traces the development of military might through prose and sometimes
Athearn Acquires T55
Athearn Trains is excited to announce we have purchased select tooling from T55, the plastic division of Overland Models. T55 is one of the model railroading industry's leading producers of high-quality injection-molded models. Using T55's outstanding tooling, Genesis will soon be producing a run of General Electric GEVO (ES44AC and ES44DC) models, as well as EMD SD70ACe and SD70M-2 models.
These prototypes are the most current locomotives from North America's primary builders, and are found in the fleets of Union Pacific (including the Heritage Fleet and Bush Presidential Library and Museum), BNSF, CIT Leasing, CSX, Canadian National, Canadian Pacific, EMD Demonstrators, Ferromex, Florida East Coast, GE Demonstrators, Kansas City Southern, Montana Rail Link and Norfolk Southern
Fantasy Flight Games Acquires Battle Lore
Fantasy Flight Games has acquired all rights to Days of Wonder's BattleLore fantasy battlefield game system, the companies announced today. In addition to the intellectual property rights, FFG also acquired moulds and unsold inventory related to the game, its expansions, and the recently announced Troll Map expansion.
Richard Borg, who designed BattleLore (as well as Memoir '44, also published by Days of Wonder), has agreed to develop expansions for BattleLore for FFG. Memoir '44 will continue to be published by Days of Wonder, with expansions by Borg
September 13, 2008
Williams Bros Reissues
32590 1/32 F9C Sparrowhawk Aerial Recon Aircraft (Include various markings) 29.95
72546 1/72 C46 Commando Twin Supply Aircraft (Include various markings) 34.95
Playroom Plans Family, Kids Games plus Killer Bunnies Merchandise
Playroom has announced plans for several new games, both family-freindly and kids products, for release between now and the end of the year, along with a new licensing program for its Killer Bunnies property.
Playroom has plans for a series of family-friendly games, including a pair by famed German designer Reiner Knizia. Secrets of the Sea (MSRP $20, ages 6 and up) uses a UV decoder (called the "Mystery Light") that allows players to search for long-lost treasure deep beneath the ocean. Baker's Dozen (MSRP $10, ages 6 and up) is a redressing of Playroom's Poison card game that promotes memory and math skills as players try to pile up donuts without going over 13 in a pile and while avoiding the "moldy" donut. Both games are due out in October.
Also on the docket are two new games in the Bright Idea product line, aimed at ages 4 to 6 and created by Blink designer Reinhard Staupe. Time After Time teaches clock-reading skills and sequential order, while Pick A Paint helps with color recognition while teaching teamwork and memory skills. Both games have an MSRP of $10 and will be available in September.
Playroom Entertainment is also kicking off a licensing program for its popular Killer Bunnies property. Initial target categories are apparel (t-shirts, boxer shorts, and sleepwear) for men, women, and children; posters; and other novelties. "Future domestic considerations will be for plush, miniatures, and impulse items, among other categories," added Playroom President Dan Rowen.
AeroTech unveils new motors
AeroTech introduced a number of new model rocket motors at the Manufacturer's Forum held July 27 during the historic 50th anniversary of the National Association of Rocketry's Annual Meet (NARAM) in The Plains, Va.
AeroTech/RCS President Gary Rosenfield unveiled AeroTech's first new "standard" model rocket RMS hardware in 17 years, the RMS-24/60, which is 24mm in diameter, 95mm in length, and is intended to fit all motor mounts designed for black powder E models. The first reload to be made available for the new 24/60 hardware will be the F35W, which uses AeroTech's White Lightning propellant.
Rosenfield also displayed a new 29mm single-use G motor, using the company's Mojave Green propellant, the G78G. The G78G will be manufactured in LMS motor kit form as the G78G/L.
Lional going 'old school' with new line
Lionel Electric Trains has announced it will be reissuing some of its iconic postwar items in its Conventional Classics line, slated to debut in the company's catalog this August.
According to a release by Lionel President and CEO Jerry Calabrese, models in the series will be rolled out over the next three years. The models will be equipped with Pullmor motors and the patented Magne-Traction system. The freight and passenger cars will feature postwar-style die-cast trucks.
Calabrese says the line will be produced "using the very same existing tools with which the postwar originals were built." He adds the Conventional Classics "will be moderately priced, and among the most affordable products we offer."
Initial offerings will include: 2124W Brunswick GG-1 Passenger Set with Madison cars (1947); 1562W Burlington GP-7 Passenger Set with 2400-series cars (1956); 2219W Lackawanna FM "Thunderbird" Freight Set (1954); and the 1484WS Hudson Passenger Set with 2400-series cars (1952). Add-on items include the Sager Place Observation Car and 2445 Elizabeth Coach.
Three locomotives are also coming: 2340 5-stripe Tuscan GG-1; 2338 Milwaukee Road GP-7 with orange band on cab; and the 2331 Virginian FM TrainMaster with yellow-and-black
Manufacturer change for Overland Models
Model railroad importer Overland Models' South Korean manufacturer, Ajin Precision Manufacturing, is ceasing production as of July 31. According to a release from Overland's president Brian Marsh, a new company, Ajin Model Train, has been formed and will be Overland's new supplier.
The principals at Ajin Model Train are the production line manager and main engineer from Ajin Precision. Marsh says, "The staff are very familiar with our line of products and there should be no interruptions in product quality, operation or delivery."
The first products built under the new company name will be a group of Canadian Pacific GE ES44AC locomotives and ES44AC Evolution Hybrid 2010 in HO scale
Miniatures prices rise due to metal costs
Privateer Press, publisher of the popular Warmachine and Hordes tabletop miniatures wargames, and Reaper Miniatures, maker of Chronoscope and Dark Heaven Legends figures, have announced price increases for their metal miniatures.
In press releases, both Privateer and Reaper cited skyrocketing metal costs and more expensive shipping costs due to fuel as reasons for the price hikes. According to the London Metal Exchange (www.lme.co.uk), tin - the primary metal in Privateer's figures - was at $7 per pound in January 2007, the last time Privateer Press made a price adjustment. As of mid-June 2008, the metal was trading at almost $11 per pound.
By exploring new manufacturing techniques, Privateer is hoping to reduce the use of metal in its miniatures to combat further price increases while still bringing high-quality products to market. Reaper is looking into new alloys to reduce tin consumption. However, the company has stated that using lead is not an option.
With the cost of zinc causing the price of die-cast models to rise, it shouldn't be a surprise that the price of tin and other non-ferrous metals would affect other hobby segments.
Rapido into N scale
Rapido has entered into the N-scale passenger car market due to the number of requests it's received since releasing its Super Continental Line of HO cars.
For 2009, Rapido is introducing the Panorama Line of N-scale passenger cars. These cars are super-detailed and the initial offerings are the lightweight coach and duplex sleeper in CN paint scheme. Other car styles and paint schemes are to follow.
More seminars at Gen Con Trade Day
Gen Con, Aug. 14-17, Indianapolis, Ind., is offering nearly twice as many seminars and programming for retailers, librarians, educators and other members of the hobby game industry for Gen Con Trade Day on Aug. 13, than it did last year. Registrants for Trade Day will also get early access to the exhibit floor on Thursday, Aug. 14, the first day of the convention.
Programming tracks for retailers include panel discussions about POS systems, the future of collectible games, the growth of board games, retirement plans, retail management, retailer-educator and retailer-librarian collaborations.
Educators can learn about using games in education and to foster creativity in the classroom, retailer-educator collaborations, and a three-hour program on increasing academic and social achievement with board and card games.
Rounding out the seminars for game industry professionals is an international panel of game experts set to discuss international game licensing.
Tracks for librarians include sessions on video and tabletop games in library activities, circulating games and on collaborating with retailers.
Alliance to Distribute 'Flames of War' WWII Miniatures Game
Alliance Game Distributors has announced an agreement with New Zealand-based Battlefront Miniatures that will allow Alliance to distribute the award-winning Flames of War: World War II Miniatures Game to independent hobby stores in North America and U.S. territories. Previously Battlefront's Flames of War was available only to retailers who ordered directly from Battlefront.
Under terms of the agreement those retailers who ordered directly from Battlefront in the past will be able to continue to do so, while Alliance will make it possible for retailers to experiment and add the highly acclaimed Flames of War game to their product mix without having to meet Battlefront's ordering minimums.
Alliance will begin carrying the Flames of War product line in August 2008. Alliance will carry all the Flames of War Rulebooks and Intelligence Handbooks as well as all the Flames of War miniatures box sets from the Platoon to the Company and division level. But Alliance's Mike Webb told ICv2 that at this time Alliance will not be carrying the individual Flames of War blister-packed miniatures.
Flames of War, which features highly detailed figures and vehicles from all the combatant nations of World War II, has been gaining in popularity here among fans of military gaming since Battlefront set up a U.S. distribution center in 2005
2008 Origins Award Winners Announced
The winners of the 2008 Origins Awards were announced at the Origins Game Fair at the Greater Columbus Convention Center in Columbus Ohio. The five finalists in each category were announced at the GAMA Trade Show in Las Vegas in April
The 2008 winners are:
Miniatures Rules of the Year: Classic Battletech by Catalyst Game Labs
Minatures Line of the Year: Titanius Fury by Dragonfire Laser Crafts Inc.
Collectible Card Game of the Year: Legend of the Five Rings by Alderac Entertainment
Roleplaying Game of the Year: Aces and Eights by Kenzer and Co.
Roleplaying Game Supplement of the Year: Codex Arcanis by Paradigm Concepts
Traditional Card Game of the Year: Zombie Fluxx by Looney Labs
Board Game or Expansion of the Year: Starcraft by Fantasy Flight Games
Game Accessory of the Year: Call of Cthulhu Dice Set by Q-Workshop
Fiction Publication of the Year: Astounding Hero Tales by Hero Games
Non-Fiction Publication of the Year: Hobby Games: The 100 Best by Green Ronin
Historical Board Game of the Year: Ages of Empire III: Age of Discovery by Tropical Games
Historical Miniature Game of the Year: Check Your 6! by Skirmish Campaigns
Historical Miniatures Line of the Year: Romano-British 15mm by Splintered Light Miniatures
Munchkin Board Game Planned for Fall
Steve Jackson Games will launch Munchkin Quest, a board game based on the successful card game, this fall. The game is designed by Steve Jackson, with illustrations by John Kovalic. Release was originally planned for Origins, but design changes to improve play have pushed the launch date back.
The $49.95 big box game will include cards, tokens, tiles, gold pieces, monster standees, dice, a 20- page rulebook, and other choice bits. Munchkin Quest will be expandable; the first expansion is planned before the end of 2008.
The Munchkin card game is a perennial Top 10 property in the ICv2 Top 10 Board, Card, and Family Games lists in the ICv2 Guide to Games. It accounted for over 70% of Steve Jackson Games' sales in 2007.
Chinatown' Board Game From Z-Man Games
Z-Man Games has announced that it is bringing the Chinatown board game to the U.S. Designed by Karsten Hartwig, Chinatown (MSRP $70) is an elaborate board game that involves constant negotiations as players who are dealt random bits of property attempt to assemble them into an economic empire. Chinatown is a legendary Alea Big Box game. Alea was a new imprint created by Ravensburger in 1999 and Chinatown and Adel Verpflichtet are the only two Alea Big Box games that have never been released in the U.S., a situation that Z-Man is rectifying.
The game is set in New York's Chinatown in the 1960s with players assuming the roles of immigrants who have to put their life savings to work and establish businesses. Chinatown is divided into six districts with buildings numbered from 1-85. The game, which is designed for from 3-5 players, consists of six rounds and takes about 60 minutes to play. To generate maximum income similar businesses must be located in adjacent buildings and players must use their negotiating skills to get the most from their holdings.
The deluxe Chinatown game includes a game board, 150 wooden markers, 90 shop tiles, 175 cards, 1 year marker, and a linen bag.
Pirates of the Cursed Sea: Ship in a Bottle'
WizKids has created a unique box set offering for its Pirates of the Cursed Sea Pocket Model Game.
Pirates of the Cursed Sea: Ship in a Bottle (MSRP $19.95) is a box set with clever packaging that allows customers to see one of four built (pre-constructed) ships inside a bottle that has apparently been "washed up on shore." Players who purchase the box get a potent starting fleet that can be created from three Pirates of the Cursed Sea: Fire and Ice Game Packs, two Pirates of the Revolution Packs, and one Pirates of the Ocean's Edge Pack. So in addition to the one (of 4) bonus special edition ships, the Ship in a Bottle Box includes 12 ships and/or sea creatures, 6 island/terrain cards, 6 or more crew or treasure cards, plus complete game rules and dice. The Pirates of the Cursed Sea: Ship in a Bottle box is scheduled to be released on July 23rd.
Revised 4th Edition 'Talisman Board Game'
Fantasy Flight Games has announced an October release for the Revised 4th Edition of the Talisman Board Game (MSRP $49.95). 2008 marks the 25th anniversary of this fan favorite magical quest board game and FFG's revised version adds 14 highly detailed plastic figures (toads included), a revision of the rules, and upgraded components all around. Upon the launch of the Revised 4th Edition, FFG will also make available an upgrade kit, which will include the new plastic figures, revised rules and cards, for those who purchased Games Workshop's 4th Edition of Talisman, which was released in October of 2007.
The 4th Edition of Talisman was based primarily on the 2nd Edition of the game, which was
considered more popular with gamers than the 3rd Edition. It remains to be seen where Fantasy Flight, which has loads of experience creating board games, will take Talisman, which it acquired earlier this year along with the rights to Games Workshop's RPGs and card games (see "FFG Gets Games Workshop's RPGs, Card and Board Games").
FFG has also announced that "a plethora of expansions" for Talisman are in the works. The first of these, the Death and Glory Expansion (MSRP $19.95) is slated for release by Christmas 2008
Round 2 Makes Pact to Bring Classics Back
Tom Lowe, president and owner of Round 2, has made a licensing agreement with RC2 that gives his company the exclusive rights to the AMT, MPC, American Muscle and Polar Lights tooling.
"Model kits have always been a great passion of mine, and the opportunity to control the AMT and MPC brands is a dream come true," he said. "And Polar Lights is a big bonus."
After selling his company, Playing Mantis, to RC2 in 2004, Lowe was made to sign a non- competition clause that was due to expire in the summer of 2009. This clause kept him from getting back into models sooner. However, he didn't stay out of the game entirely. In 2005, Lowe founded Round 2, a collectibles company that brought brands like Auto World Slot Cars, Forever Fun Holiday Collectibles and EarthGlow Candles under its umbrella. With the new licensing agreement, the non-competition clause ended.
The modeling community was shocked when RC2 decided to mothball its model brands. And though modelers have clamored for the kits and a thirsty market has made short-run repops of classic kits through outlets like Dave Burket's Model King possible, modelers just aren't as numerous as they once were.
Many plastic-model companies have felt the sting of a contracting modeler base. This doesn't seem to deter Lowe. "I believe I have the experience and enthusiasm to make [the brands] succeed." He credits the team he's built with the ability to give modelers what they want.
Further, Round 2 is now in total control of and completely responsible for all of the licensed tooling. Those purchase orders that companies like Model King and Stevens International made before the licensing deal will still be honored.
John Greczula is heading up Round 2's model kit division, and Lowe says that the two of them want to concentrate on the classic AMT and MPC brand names. "We feel, with custom runs going on, there are too many cooks in the kitchen and it dilutes the brands with third-party names," Lowe said. In the interests of keeping retail prices reasonable and keeping their business streamlined, Lowe intends to keep product development in house.That way they can "ensure the kit contents and brand names are represented the way they should be."
Dave Burket of Model King said, "I talked with him, and he told me after he decides what he is going to do, he would send me a list to choose from." What we can expect from Model King or other third-party makers remains to be seen.
As for models based on movies and other pop-culture licenses, Lowe sees room for expansion. "I'm working on obtaining certain licenses right now." Concerning repops of Aurora-style kits, he said they want to continue reissuing classic sci-fi and figure kits with the Polar Lights brand, along with developing new models. "More and more movies are being made of vintage comics and cartoons; we'd like to exploit that fact and excite modelers with related scale models."
Round 2 intends to release the first AMT and MPC kits this September.
March 29, 2008
Roco Makes Deal
Austrian model railroad manufacturer Roco GmbH has acquired Nuremberg, Germany's Fleischmann. Ranked 2nd and 3rd in the European model railroad market behind Märklin, which acquired LGB manufacturer E.P. Lehmann in 2007.
The 120-year old Fleischmann employs about 340 people, with annual sales of about $30.8 million. Austrian construction materials magnate Franz-Josef Haslberger acquired control of a bankrupt Roco in 2005. The restructured company reports annual sales of nearly $50 million
Revell Star Wars Snaps
Revell has obtained exclusive license to distribute SnapTite kits for Star Wars and is hoping the deal will push it to the top of the model kit industry in both subject matter and themes.
"Creative application of licensing is an important driver to Revell's success with different segments of the market," said Mike Brezette, Revell's marketing vice president. "While it's important to continue to provide models with historical relevance for those 55 and over, we realize that our Star Wars license is important to appeal to younger children and teens."
Many SnapTite Star Wars kits are already available from hobby stores, Internet retailers and Target. The kits come pre-decorated, which means they do not require paint, decals or glue.
Revell plans to release more SnapTite kits for Star Wars throughout 2008
Auto World - RC2 License
Auto World (a division of Round 2, LLC) has signed a licensing agreement with RC2/Learning Curve Brands, Inc. of Oak Brook, Illinois. The contract will allow Auto World to produce and market plastic model kits under the well-known brands of AMT, MPC and Polar Lights. Also included are the rights to manufacture 1:18 and 1:24 scale die-cast replicas using the trademarks of American Muscle and Ertl Collectibles
Gen Con Files For Protection
Gen Con, LLC filed for protection under Chapter 11 bankruptcy in the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the State of Washington on Friday. The filing
comes in the wake of a lawsuit by Lucasfilm related to the Star Wars Celebration show in Los Angeles last year.
Gen Con Indy, will proceed as scheduled August 14-17th and the company will continue to operate without interruption, according to the
announcement.
The company explained the reason for the filing. "The protections afforded by Chapter 11 will allow Gen Con to further its efforts to address its
liquidity needs, preserve value for its creditors and explore strategic alternatives for the business," it said.
CEO Peter Adkison expressed confidence in the outcome. "Because the fundamentals of our business are strong; and because our debt
problems are challenges mostly linked to one-time events," he said, "we feel confident that the profile of our company will benefit under Chapter
11 and come out strong in the end.
February 2, 2008
Doc Fizzix new at K&S
K&S Engineering has acquired the Doc Fizzix line of rubber band and mousetrap-powered vehicle kits, popular for play and science-fair type projects.
Just on spring and rubber power alone, some of the vehicles travel hundreds of feet. The easy-to-build kits include pre-cut wood and plastic parts. The line includes wooden car, boat and hovercraft kits, as well as parts and plans for those who like to design and build their own contraptions.
Rio Grande in Agreement With Selecta Games
Rio Grande Games has announced an agreement to produce English language versions of some of the best games created by the German company Selecta-Spielzeug. For over 30 years Selecta has been producing high quality games for a younger audience. The durable games feature wooden components festooned with colorful designs using child-safe water-based primary colors.
Rio Grande will begin releasing English language versions of Selecta Games in February with Piratissimo, Fruitirelli, Giro Giloppo, Viva Topo, and Mago Magino. Piratissimo, which debuted in 2005, is an exciting pirate adventure board game for the entire family (ages 6 and up). It provides plenty of action and takes only 30 minutes to play.
Viva Topo, which won the 2003 Kinderspiel des Jahres (Children's Game of the Year), is a delightful board game for players ages 4 and up. Players take on the role of mice (using cute color-coded 3-D wooden mouse tokens) and attempt to earn cheese by reaching goals on the game board, but players must manage risk and reward carefully because a cat is lurking, ready to grab the first unlucky mouse that overreaches.
Reiner Knizia designed Mago Magino (2004), an exciting board game for players ages 5 and up. A witch has stolen crystals from the wizard Mago Magino and players have to help him recover them, but the witch is dangerous -- she can turn the players into small frogs if they are not careful.
Blair Line Releases Cash Mining Co
Blair Line has released a new lasser-cut kit called the Cash Mine. The kit is based on a prototype structure, the Silver King Ore House, located in Park City, Utah.
The Silver King Coalition Mining Company's ore tipple included two loading tracks and was a large shipper of lead, zinc, and silver ore. The ore tipple was contrcted in the eaarly 1900s and was served by a cable tramway that transported ore from the mine and mill over a mile away. Though the original structure was an ore mine, this building would also make a great coal mine. The structure can be updated by using one of the loading bays for rail loading and the other fro truck loading.According to the compnay, the structure is by far the largest and most complex kit Blair Line has offered. The kit features over 270 pieces including laser-cut wall with tab and slot connections, doors, trim, ladders, roofwalks, floors, roofing, and structural frames. Also included with the kit are Tichy windows and Blair Line signs. The kit retails fo $129.95 and the built-up kits measures 7.5 inches long by 8.5 inches wide by 10.25 inches tall.