Ok, so remember waaaaaaaaaaaaay back, when we talked about Wizards of the Coast suing Wizkids over patent infringement, and Wizkids' countersuit saying "we were there first"? Well, they announced yesterday that Wizkids settled with WotC, and WotC in return gave Wizkids a license to continue producing the Pirates PocketModel game.
WotC, Wizkids Settle CSG Lawsuit
WizKids Inc. and Wizards of the Coast have jointly announced that they have reached a settlement of the claims and counterclaims in the WizKids vs. Wizards of the Coast lawsuit. WizKids filed the lawsuit last June in response to Wizards of the Coast's announcement of a patent on "Constructible Strategy Games". As part of the settlement, which also provides for the dismissal of all claims and counterclaims, "Wizards has granted WizKids a license for the Pirates PocketModel Game to United States Patent No. 7,201,374, and all related patents that might issue." The rest of the settlement remains confidential, and under terms of the agreement neither WizKids nor Wizards of the Coast can comment further on the agreement.
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Noticeably absent from the press release- any mention of the Star Wars PocketModel game. What does this mean? We just recently heard Wizkids state they were shifting their concentration to their three "core brands", HeroClix and the Pirates Star Wars PocketModel lines. My guess is, we'll see a statement out of Wizkids very soon stating something to the effect of "based on recent developments over the CSG patent, we are no longer able to produce future releases for the Star Wars PocketModel game", dwindling them down to just two "core brands". This would make sense. Wizkids' ability to produce the game relied on their argument that Star Wars PocketModels were cards, as Topps (Wizkids' parent company) had a Lucas license to produce such products. Hasbro, as the parent co. of WotC, held the exclusive license for games and toys in the US. Since the fight was over a CSG patent (Constructible Strategy Game), and they had competing Lucas licenses on this product, dissolution of the Star Wars line must have been central to the settlement, in addition to a load of cash of course. Purely speculation at this time, of course. Stay tuned for more updates!
6/18/08- It’s Official! Wizkids Spares Only HeroClix, PocketModels
WizKids President Lax Chandra has released a statement announcing the company will be making several changes that are focused on "consolidating administrative functions with our corporate offices in New York." Although it will remain in Seattle, WizKids will be making some moves from a developmental perspective to align staff with its product portfolio. In streamlining its operations WizKids will be focusing on its three core brands: Marvel and DC HeroClix, the Star Wars PocketModel Trading Card Game and the Pirates PocketModel Game.
According to Chandra the Marvel and DC HeroClix games have been growing substantially since the release of the Avengers Expansion in 2007. The DC Crisis release sold at an unprecedented rate and preorders for the next HeroClix release, Marvel Secret Invasion, are "outpacing DC Crisis by 2 to 1".
WizKids plans to take advantage of the release of the Star Wars: The Clone Wars animated movie (and TV series), which debuts on August 15th (and moves to TV in October) with two Star Wars Pocket Model expansions, Clone Wars in July and Clone Wars Tactics in October.
Although Chandra did not announce any Pirates PocketModel releases, he did note that with a 4th Pirates of the Caribbean movie "on the horizon," WizKids will be configuring its Pirates line to take maximum effect of the property's potent movie franchise.
What does all of this mean? It means Pirates will more than likely become solely a Disney licensed brand moving forward. Star Wars PocketModels will be around just until the Lucasfilm license expires. And HeroClix? Well, I don't know about HeroClix. I suppose if they can continue to inflate their sales to an ever-decreasing player base, then it might be around for a bit longer. But given that everything other than R&D is being "consolidated" to New York, who knows?
6/18/08- Magic: Shards Of Alara PRE-RELEASE at Phoenix Games?
That's right. It's a real possibility. But we're gonna need the help of every Magic player and their Magic playing friends!
Wizards of the Coast just announced today big changes in the way they run pre-releases and it looks like Phoenix Games will qualify to run one for the Shards Of Alara set, releasing in October!
Players- we're going to need each of you to help us spread the word to all of your friends! Wizards of the Coast has listened to our suggestions and now we're going to need to show that it makes sense for them to do so! Stop by the store to find out more information on this exciting new development!
Shards of Alara worldwide Prerelease tournaments: September 27-28, 2008
Shards of Alara worldwide launch parties: October 3-5, 2008
5/24/08- D&D Worldwide Game Day Update! Dates, Times, DMs!
Informational update regarding Worldwide D&D Game Day:
We're getting close! With almost 60 people signed up and about two weeks still left for more, we have decided to run TWO sessions for this event!
Events will be run at the following times-
Saturday morning 6/7/08 12:01am- 4am. This will be occuring midnight Friday/Saturday. Due to the timeframe, this event is only open to those 18 or older.
Saturday afternoon 6/7/08 from noon until 4pm. This session will be all ages.
If you have... tendencies... to swear or curse during your games, may we encourage you to choose the midnight session, as we will be much more tolerant of loose lips during the middle of the night. Daytime hours will have strict language and conduct rules, as we will have families and children participating during this timeframe, so be prepared to play nice! Please let us know via phone, in person or Myspace message which session you and your party are interested in participating in, as well as all of their names. We've got our preliminary list of names, but we're looking for a more accurate, final tally. If you're interested in being a DM for this event, please call or stop by the store for information. DMs for our D&D Game Day events in the past have been well taken care of. Plus, we could be limited in the number of games we run if we don't have enough DM volunteers. We are currently in need of at least 12 DMs, so if your group has three to five participants, be aware you may be required to pony up a DM. Even if you're just entertaining the idea of DMing, give us a call or swing by. Find out the perks of volunteering! It could help you make up your mind! Lots of goodies for DMs! We are also now accepting pre-sales for all core rulebooks. If you'd like to guarantee your copies on release day, we highly suggest pre-paying for your book(s) prior to the event. Demand for these items has been incredibly high. We're fairly sure our quantities for the weekend will be sufficient, but event attendance could surpass our expectations, leaving us short. Plan ahead if you want them opening weekend!
Also, shop owner as a midnight session DM is highly possible, so if you want to have a laugh at my expense, that would be the time. Due to surprisingly high interest already, I may have to run a lottery for seats at my table. Let me know if you want in on the mockery. I'll add you to the list. Who knew I was a main attraction?
4/25/08- Magic Players! A Shadowmoor Primer...
Follow the link to videos, supplied by Wizards of the Coast, outlining the new game mechanics you'll encounter in the latest Magic: The Gathering release, Shadowmoor. Shadowmoor goes on sale Friday, May 2nd and we'll be hosting a release tournament that evening! Tourney pack plus boosters, build a deck!
To view the videos, click here!
4/25/08- Gears Of War Boardgame Coming This Fall!
Fantasy Flight Games has acquired the rights to create a board game based on Gears of War, a third person shooter game developed by Epic Games and published by Microsoft Game Studios. Released in late 2006, Gears of War, which sold over 3 million units in its first ten weeks on the market, was the best-selling video game of the year and was the second most played game on the Xbox Live network during 2007. The game takes place on the planet Sera, where the human inhabitants are under massive attack from an underground swarm known as the Locust Horde. Players assume the roles of Marcus Fenix and his Delta Squad-- combat-hardened soldiers who undertake a dangerous mission to deploy a "Lightmass" bomb deep in the tunnels used by the Locust Horde. The Gears of War videogame was conceived as a trilogy and the second installment, Gears of War 2, is due out in November. Fantasy Flight plans to launch its Gears of War Board Game in the fall to take advantage of the massive push that will accompany the debut of the second Gears of War videogame.
4/25/08- Naruto CCG Incorporates Shippuden Storyline In Oct!
Bandai's Naruto CCG will incorporate the new Shippuden storyline, launched in Naruto Vol. 28, with its 11th set, which ships in October. Naruto CCG Set 11 will incorporate a Shippuden subset. Bandai expects that the Naruto CCG will be the first licensed Naruto product to incorporate images from the new storyline.
The tenth set for the Naruto CCG, Lineage of the Legends, will ship in August. Bandai will also release three Naruto CCG Collector Tins this fall; they're scheduled to street September 22nd.
4/25/08- Expansion Announced For Shadows Over Camelot!
Days of Wonder has announced the July release of Merlin's Company, a new expansion to the Shadows over Camelot board game. The
expansion introduces seven new knights and Merlin himself to the game, which can now support up to eight players and two traitors. The Merlin's Company Expansion was designed by Bruno Cathala and Serge Laget for three to eight players ages 10 and older and requires the original Shadows over Camelot board game.
The deluxe Merlin's Company box includes a miniature of Merlin, plus a bonus figure of Sir Bedivere, a new rules booklet, 16 travel cards, 14 Black Cards (including Morgan's 7 witches), and 23 White Cards including 8 new Special White Cards.
4/9/08- Who Could Use An Extra $1000? Anyone?
Could you use an extra thousand bucks in your pocket? What about $300, or even $100?
One of our Pokemon League players participates in the Northwest Boychoir which is now conducting its annual fundraiser. If he sells 600 tickets, he earns a shopping spree to his favorite store, and guess who he bribed! Your chance to win $1000 will only cost you 2 bucks, and you don’t even have to be present to win! They’ll call you! Even more, your two dollar contribution gets you a THREE dollar off coupon for Romio’s Pizza. Spend 2, get 3... how DOOOOOOOO they do it? Even more exciting- you can purchase them directly from Phoenix Games, as he has (foolishly?) entrusted me with a book of raffle tickets. So next time you’re in, bring a couple of bucks (or more if you want to improve your chances!) and wait by the phone on June 1st to hear that you’ve won! Who knows, you may also win a shopping spree for YOUR favorite store! You can visit the organization at http://www.nwchoirs.org, or call them at (206) 524-3234. Ever wonder what 1000 1s look like? Imagine ’em in your wallet!
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3/28/08- D&D 4E Game Day Update- We’ve Got Another Kit!
We have received confirmation that we will be receiving a second kit for the Worldwide Game Day for the release of Fourth Edition, meaning
we’re no longer maxed out! Invite your friends! Spread the word! We’ve got another 30 seats now available! We have also opened up the registration in store and are beginning to let those not on the website or MySpace know about the event. Don’t worry- if you commented on the last blog that you were attending, you ARE signed up! If there was a friend’s name attached to your post, they are also signed up. As we get a little closer to the event day, if we find it necessary, we may be adding a midnight game session Friday night/ Saturday morning! Participation in the midnight game will take the place of participation in the daytime event. Due to space constraints and fairness, it’ll have to be an either/ or if it happens, not both. We are on our way to 60 players on 6/7! Stay tuned for further updates on the midnight game!
3/4/08- Gary Gygax, D&D Creator, Dead at 69
Ladies and gentlemen- sadly, the DM has left the table.
Gary Gygax, who co-created the fantasy game Dungeons & Dragons and helped start the role-playing phenomenon, died Tuesday morning at his home in Lake Geneva. He was 69.
Read the AP story here.
Gary, you brought joy and adventure to the imaginations of millions of outcasts, geeks, nerds and their friends. Your legacy is solidified in the games that continue today, around dinner tables and at game stores, with not only the gamers of yore and their friends, but their children as well. The next generation of fighters, clerics and wizards will no longer read new works bearing your name, but your previous works will live on in bookshelf collections around the world.
Rest in peace, weary adventurer. The tavern awaits.
2/28/08- D&D 4E Game Tester Reveals All!
Ok, well not really all, but quite a bit (those non-disclosure agreements are solid!). I've pulled a couple of quotes from his post for you to peruse. If you'd like to read more, follow the link below! Rated "T" for language...
"Let me just say this upfront. I. Love. 4E. And I didn't want to. Much like many of you out there, the 3.5 partial reboot just five years ago pissed me off... Here at the Casa de la Wyrm we don't have a D&D bookshelf. We have a D&D closet. It's where I keep my boxes of Dwarven Forge Master Maze, my big plastic bins of D& D Minis, and two long shelves of over $1000 in 3.5 books. But just 2 weeks into playing 4E, I boxed up every non-fluff heavy book I owned, drove down to Half Price Books and sold them for as much cash as I could get. I knew I would never, ever, touch them again. Yes. 4E really is that good. It is the XBOX 360 to your XBOX. And it is time to upgrade my friends."
"...every one of us, no matter how resistant, no matter how angry about a new edition we might have been, have discovered a brand new passion for the game. There's a lot of negativity out there right now, a lot of anger over this rule change or that rule change or the thought of all those now nigh useless books. But come June that's going to change. People are going to see first hand how those changes work together to make a superior experience. The game is more fun and less work. And I, for one, am never going back. I am a 4E player."
If you'd like to read more about his group's experiences, as well as read future posts on topics like what it was like running a 4E game, click here!
2/25/08- Star Wars Celebration Moves On Without GenCon
Celebrating the Japanese 30th anniversary of Star Wars, Lucasfilm Ltd. and The Lewis Daniel Group will present the first-ever Star Wars Celebration event in the Asia-Pacific region from July 19 to 21 at the Makuhari-Messe Convention Center near Tokyo. Expected to be one of the largest events ever for fans of the Star Wars Saga, Star Wars Celebration Japan will begin a little more than 30 years after the movie premiered in Japan on June 24, 1978. The three-day event will be filled with live entertainment, celebrities, special presentations, unique Star Wars exhibits, exclusive merchandise, pop-culture tributes, immersive events, costume contests, and many additional activities...
...Star Wars Celebration Japan will take place from Saturday, July 19, through Monday, July 21, which is Ocean Day, a national holiday. Moreover, the three-day weekend marks the start of the summer school holiday for children throughout the country, making Star Wars Celebration Japan the perfect way for multiple generations of fans to enjoy this unprecedented experience together…
...In May 2007, Star Wars Celebration IV, attracted more than 35,000 fans from all over the world for a five-day event in Los Angeles; and Star Wars Celebration Europe, the first such event outside of the U.S., drew more than 30,000 people in London in July 2007, far exceeding the expectations of its organizers.
The announcement of Star Wars Celebration Japan was made jointly by Lucasfilm Ltd. and the Lewis Daniel Group, a Houston, Texas-based company with expertise and operating experience in media and entertainment businesses, and which will manage the event in cooperation with Lucasfilm. Japan is the ideal site for a Star Wars Celebration," Sansweet said, "since there are many Japanese influences in the Saga. Star Wars has roots in the culture and mythos of Japan, and we look forward to celebrating this unique connection during the event," he added, citing a similarity between the stoic Samurai and Jedi Knights of Star Wars as one example...
2/25/08- Coming In May- Ticket To Ride: The Card Game!
Days of Wonder has announced the May release of a Ticket to Ride Card Game. Designed by Alan R. Moon, who designed the original Ticket to Ride board game, the Ticket to Ride Card Game is a stand-alone game that offers several twists on the original board game that should have aficionados of that game excited about purchasing the card game. In the card game players work to collect sets of illustrated Train cards, which can be used to complete Destination Tickets, but before the Train cards can be used, players face the prospect of "train-robbing," where another player can force them to give up their hard-earned cards. The Ticket to Ride Card Game was designed for 2-4 players, ages 8 and up -- and it can be played in 30 minutes. The deluxe full color box includes 96 Train cards, 6 Big Cities Bonus cards, 46 Destination Tickets, and a rule book.
2/22/08- Yu-Gi-Oh! Advertises A Sold Out Set
Starting on Monday, February 25th Upper Deck's TV commercials for its new Yu-Gi-Oh! TCG release Phantom Darkness running on the Cartoon Network will add a special interactive Internet dimension. Upper Deck will be running a 30-second spot throughout the week that will feature a live action actor offering "how to Duel" tips and urging viewers to log on to the Carton Network Website and play a memory game that uses cards from the Phantom Darkness expansion.
The memory game, which involves matching various Phantom Darkness card images, will have three levels of difficulty and each time a player completes one level, he or she will receive additional Dueling tips. In addition to the commercials that are running all week on the Cartoon Network the Phantom Darkness memory game will be promoted via banner ads on the Cartoon Network Website. With 100 new cards the Phantom Darkness booster set is the largest Yu-Gi-Oh! set in years, and it contains the elusive "Ghost Rare" 3D card.
2/22/08- Deal Announced- Talisman Gets A Stay Of Execution
Fantasy Flight Games and Games Workshop jointly announced that they have reached an agreement for Fantasy Flight Games to become the exclusive publisher of board games, card games (including collectible card games), and role-playing games based on Games Workshop's intellectual properties including Warhammer Fantasy Battles and Warhammer 40,000. The deal will also grant FFG the exclusive rights to print new versions of the classic board and card game titles published by Games Workshop over the past 25 years. A second agreement between the two companies will transfer the rights and system of the Universal Fighting System CCG from Sabertooth Games to FFG. FFG will continue production and new product support for the UFS CCG, which will continue to be published in the traditional starter and booster pack CCG format. FFG has no current plans to adapt the UFS CCG to its LCG (Living Card Games) sales model. Fantasy Flight Games plans to issue a new printing of the 4th edition Talisman board game along with an expansion. FFG also plans to continue production and new product support for the Warhammer Fantasy Roleplay RPG and the new Dark Heresy RPG. This agreement does not cover games such as Blood Bowl and Space Hulk in which miniatures are a predominant component, which indicates that Games Workshop is determined to concentrate on its core miniature-based tabletop war-gaming category. After streamlining its sprawling operations and finally staunching a three-year sales decline this agreement with Fantasy Flight Games indicates that Games Workshop is intent on further reducing overhead and paring away all but the most profitable elements of its core business.
2/23/08- D&D 4th Edition Worldwide Game Day Just Announced!!
Saturday, June 7th 2008- D&D players once again gather in game shops around the world, this time to usher in the era of 4th Edition! It's free to participate, but we will more than likely be limited to the first 30 participants again. If you were present for last year's Worldwide D&D Game Day event, you know we came very close to maximum capacity on our giveaways! This time we fully expect our participation to exceed our number of giveaways, so here's your advanced notice- request the day off now! Plan for a full day of adventure! Come see the shiny newness! Revel in the magical wonderment! Get free stuff! We'll be starting registration for this event soon, so check the blog often! Any further updates or information will be posted here!
2/20/08- Magic: The Gathering... The Movie?
From Variety-
Universal rolls dice with Hasbro
Pair sign six year pact
By Michael Fleming
Universal Pictures has announced a six-year partnership with Hasbro to produce at least four feature films based on branded properties. The properties include "Monopoly," "Candy Land," "Clue," "Ouija," "Battleship," "Magic, The Gathering" and "Stretch Armstrong." The deal comes after the successful screen transformation of the Hasbro property "Transformers," which DreamWorks and Paramount turned into a Michael Bay-directed global hit, and which has a sequel scheduled to begin production this year. Hasbro's "G.I. Joe" will be a 2009 tentpole for Paramount Pictures, with director Stephen Sommers just beginning production on the film. Lorenzo di Bonaventura has shepherded both properties as producer. Universal now has exclusive access to Hasbro properties, excluding "Transformers" and "G.I. Joe." Deal was announced by U chairman Marc Shmuger, co-chairman David Linde and Hasbro chief operating officer Brian Goldner. The parties were put together by WMA, which reps the toy and board-game maker. Like "G.I. Joe," several Hasbro branded properties have gone the development route as- features over the years. The property with the most current momentum is "Monopoly," which Ridley Scott and Scott Free have been developing. Scott, who directed "American Gangster" for the studio, will next direct the Russell Crowe starrer "Nottingham" for Universal.
“This deal gives Universal access to some of the greatest brands in the world," Shmuger and Linde said in a statement. "Hasbro's portfolio of products has tremendous emotional resonance with children and adults. They offer an exciting opportunity for us to develop tentpole movies with built-in global brand awareness, which is a key component of our slate strategy."
Goldner said: "Universal's creativity and worldwide marketing and distribution strength make them the perfect partner. Today's Hasbro is so much more than a traditional toy and game company, and this partnership is a powerful example of how we are offering our consumers new ways to enjoy unique and immersive experience with our brands."
1/29/08- Games Workshop Ending Black Industries- No More Talisman!
Get your copy while there are still copies to be had! Games Workshop's publishing arm, BL Publishing, has announced that Dark Heresy: Disciple of the Dark Gods, which is due out in September, will be the final release from the Black Industries line of RPG and board games that was announced in 2004. Kevin Roundtree of BL Publishing, while noting that some Black Industries' properties such as the Dark Heresy RPG and the Talisman Board Game have been successful, explained that the decision to discontinue the Black Industries line was based on a desire to focus the company's efforts and energy on its even more successful Black Library line of novels based on the 40K and Warhammer properties.
1/29/08- Production of D&D Minis Lines To End
Production of the Dungeons & Dragons Miniatures War Drums starter sets and boosters, as well as the War Of The Dragon Queen boosters, will be discontinued at the end of January. The new starter set, adapted for 4th edition play, will follow soon. Now is the time to finish off your collection, before they're gone forever!
1/23/08- Wizkids Convention Weekend 2008 Giveaways!!
Phoenix Games is proud to be participating in Wizkids' 2008 Convention Weekend February 1-3, where you can receive special figures that were previously only available by going to a major convention! HeroClix Players And Collectors- Receive a Starro or Galactus herald figure PLUS a random convention piece when a brick is purchased! Plus, be entered into a drawing where the huge figures Spectre, Galactus and Fin Fang Foom, as well as Johnny Thunder, will be given away! The brick offer is going on now through February 3rd, with the big figure drawings held on February 4th!
Pirates Players And Collectors- Receive the promotional Submarine pack with $25 Pirates purchase!
Star Wars PocketModel and Halo ActionClix fans won't be left out either, as the HorrorClix Vlad The Impaler figure will be available for purchasers of those lines as well!
Check out pics for all these figures at the Wizkids website
See the store for complete details, and remember... only while supplies last
1/18/08- Chess Master Bobby Fischer, 1939-2008
On Friday, January 18, 2008, chess master Bobby Fischer died at age 64, the same number, CNN.com reader Susan Polgar points out, as the number of squares on a chessboard. CNN.com
The greatest American chess player, Bobby Fischer, is dead. CNet News
Controversial American-born chess genius Bobby Fischer, who became United States champion at only age 14 and took the world title from Soviet grandmaster Boris Spassky at 29, has died at the age of 64 in Iceland. Forbes.com
Play a game of chess tonight, in his memory.
1/17/08- Naruto CCG: Battle Of Destiny Sold Out Before 1/25 Release!
If you wish to reserve a sealed box, be sure to get your orders in THIS WEEKEND, as supplies are extremely limited!
January 17, 2008- Bandai America has announced that the upcoming Naruto CCG release, Naruto Series 8: Battle of Destiny, has sold out at the manufacturer level well before its hobby street date of January 25th, although there may still be product available at the distributor level.
Boosters from this series will also be available in the Secrets of Masters Collectible Tins streeting in February.
Bandai has indicated that it will not reprint. National Hobby Sales Manager James Takenaka said of the situation, "We apologize for the inconvenience but we are pleased with the fact that Naruto CCG sales have increased from the pre-Christmas time period."
1/17/08- Magic Players: Morningtide Sneak Preview Not Found On WotC Site!!!
For Magic: The Gathering players who run goblin decks, this should be an exciting addition to your arsenal. This card scan was sent to us via an email and is stated to not be viewable anywhere on the Wizards of the Coast website! For those who play, let us know what you think!
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