InQuest 13 - 15 - Donruss & NXT Games: Mention - InQuest News
U.S. Games: New Wyvern Artists
Steven Pollak of U.S. Games Systems hinted why. "It's
always a concern when a national chain commits to shelf
space but is not able to provide demos. We don't want peo-
ple to get in over their heads," observed the sales manager,
whose company makes the Wyvern CCG.
"Other markets provide visibility for our prod-
ucts and that's good. Wywern has to be avail-
able to consumers to draw them into the
market." But hobby stores staffed
by knowledgeable experts
were invaluable, he said.
The recently
released Chameleon
expansion features the
game's second-ever artist,
Virginijus Poshkus, and
introduces a new terrain
action that changes the
concept of terrain. A
future expansion set will feature multiple artists.
Pollak spoke at a crowded Toy Center office that several
manufacturers had sublet. "We're here for 700 products," he
said, noting that U.S. Games is the world's largest publisher
of tarot cards and books. The company also prints noncol-
lectible card games and traditional playing card decks
Steven Pollak of U.S. Games Systems hinted why. "It's
always a concern when a national chain commits to shelf
space but is not able to provide demos. We don't want peo-
ple to get in over their heads," observed the sales manager,
whose company makes the Wyvern CCG.
"Other markets provide visibility for our prod-
ucts and that's good. Wywern has to be avail-
able to consumers to draw them into the
market." But hobby stores staffed
by knowledgeable experts
were invaluable, he said.
The recently
released Chameleon
expansion features the
game's second-ever artist,
Virginijus Poshkus, and
introduces a new terrain
action that changes the
concept of terrain. A
future expansion set will feature multiple artists.
Pollak spoke at a crowded Toy Center office that several
manufacturers had sublet. "We're here for 700 products," he
said, noting that U.S. Games is the world's largest publisher
of tarot cards and books. The company also prints noncol-
lectible card games and traditional playing card decks
Licensing: "Dragonheart" and
"The Hunchback of Notre Dame"
Although licensed products were hot, no one property
stood out as Mighty Morphin' Power Rangers or Barney the
Dinosaur had the past few years.
Still, early winners seemed to be MCA/Universal's "Drag-
onheart," an Arthurian fantasy movie with Dennis Quaid and
a dragon voiced by Sean Connery (due this summer), and
"The Hunchback of Notre Dame," an animated Disney
movie. SkyBox will release a Hunchback family
card game with the movie in May.
Other promising proper-
ties included "Flipper," the
May movie reprising the pop-
ular TV dolphin adventure
series, and "Independence
Day," about an alien invasion of Earth.
Fox TV's "X-Files," about supernatural phenomena, also
remained popular.
Buzz: Mergers, Feds and Flakes
Toy Fair began days after Mattel, makers of Barbie, aborted
a purchase of Hasbro, creator of G.I. Joe, which would have
merged the two largest toy companies.
"The Hunchback of Notre Dame"
Although licensed products were hot, no one property
stood out as Mighty Morphin' Power Rangers or Barney the
Dinosaur had the past few years.
Still, early winners seemed to be MCA/Universal's "Drag-
onheart," an Arthurian fantasy movie with Dennis Quaid and
a dragon voiced by Sean Connery (due this summer), and
"The Hunchback of Notre Dame," an animated Disney
movie. SkyBox will release a Hunchback family
card game with the movie in May.
Other promising proper-
ties included "Flipper," the
May movie reprising the pop-
ular TV dolphin adventure
series, and "Independence
Day," about an alien invasion of Earth.
Fox TV's "X-Files," about supernatural phenomena, also
remained popular.
Buzz: Mergers, Feds and Flakes
Toy Fair began days after Mattel, makers of Barbie, aborted
a purchase of Hasbro, creator of G.I. Joe, which would have
merged the two largest toy companies.
On the show's first day, Remco agreed to full refunds
for purchasers of Steel Tec toys. The Federal Trade Com-
mission had complained about misleading special effects in
the TV ads.
Friday, Feb. 16, Mother Nature put on its own show. Driv-
ing snow darkened the Javits Center's huge glass facade. Nine
inches helped set a city record for annual snowfall.
- Matthew E. Milliken
New Magic Expansion Set: Mirage
No, you're not just seeing things. There is a new Magic: The
Gathering expansion set, and its name is Mirage.
Due October from Wizards of the Coast, Mirage will be
comprised of over 300 new cards introducing new rules vari-
ants as well as a special series of collectible cards.
Mirage is set in the tropical world of Jamuraa, on the equa-
tor of Dominaria. Mirage co-designer Bill Rose explained that
off the coast of Jamuraa is Teferi's Isle, which disappears after
a wizard's experiment goes awry. "More than 100 years pass
and the island reappears," Rose said. "The island's inhabitants
are horrified by the unrest that's erupted in the land while
they've been gone. War soon breaks out."
for purchasers of Steel Tec toys. The Federal Trade Com-
mission had complained about misleading special effects in
the TV ads.
Friday, Feb. 16, Mother Nature put on its own show. Driv-
ing snow darkened the Javits Center's huge glass facade. Nine
inches helped set a city record for annual snowfall.
- Matthew E. Milliken
New Magic Expansion Set: Mirage
No, you're not just seeing things. There is a new Magic: The
Gathering expansion set, and its name is Mirage.
Due October from Wizards of the Coast, Mirage will be
comprised of over 300 new cards introducing new rules vari-
ants as well as a special series of collectible cards.
Mirage is set in the tropical world of Jamuraa, on the equa-
tor of Dominaria. Mirage co-designer Bill Rose explained that
off the coast of Jamuraa is Teferi's Isle, which disappears after
a wizard's experiment goes awry. "More than 100 years pass
and the island reappears," Rose said. "The island's inhabitants
are horrified by the unrest that's erupted in the land while
they've been gone. War soon breaks out."
Mirage, the 10th Magic expansion, will be sold in 60-card
decks and 15-card booster packs. This stand-alone set will be
compatible with Ice Age and other Magic sets.
- Staff
Vampire TV Show Debuts
They're slick, sexy, sophisticated, San Franciscan and undead.
They're the stars of "Kindred: The Embraced," the Fox television
network's new hour-long drama based on White Wolf's Vampire: The
Masquerade roleplaying game.
The series' executive producer is Aaron Spelling. Often criticized
for lurid content, several Spelling shows have been hits, including
"Charlie's Angels," "Fantasy Island," "The Love Boat" and Fox's
"Melrose Place."
"I'm excited," said Mark Rein Hagen, Vampire's creator, who
serves as the creative director of White Wolf and a producer and
writer for the TV series. "The conspiratorial tone, political intrigue
and horror of our world really show through in
Spelling's work."
C. Thomas Howell ("The Outsiders,"
"Red Dawn") stars as Frank Kohanek, a
San Francisco detective who penetrates
the vampire society. Mark Frankel ("Fortune
Hunter," "Sisters") plays Julian, the city's Ven-
true vampire prince. Stacy Haiduk ("seaQuest DSV")
also appears.
decks and 15-card booster packs. This stand-alone set will be
compatible with Ice Age and other Magic sets.
- Staff
Vampire TV Show Debuts
They're slick, sexy, sophisticated, San Franciscan and undead.
They're the stars of "Kindred: The Embraced," the Fox television
network's new hour-long drama based on White Wolf's Vampire: The
Masquerade roleplaying game.
The series' executive producer is Aaron Spelling. Often criticized
for lurid content, several Spelling shows have been hits, including
"Charlie's Angels," "Fantasy Island," "The Love Boat" and Fox's
"Melrose Place."
"I'm excited," said Mark Rein Hagen, Vampire's creator, who
serves as the creative director of White Wolf and a producer and
writer for the TV series. "The conspiratorial tone, political intrigue
and horror of our world really show through in
Spelling's work."
C. Thomas Howell ("The Outsiders,"
"Red Dawn") stars as Frank Kohanek, a
San Francisco detective who penetrates
the vampire society. Mark Frankel ("Fortune
Hunter," "Sisters") plays Julian, the city's Ven-
true vampire prince. Stacy Haiduk ("seaQuest DSV")
also appears.
The show was set to debut Tues-
day, April 2, with a two-hour movie
on Fox at 8 p.m. Eight hour-long
episodes are to air Wednesdays at 9
p.m. starting April 3. The slot, fol-
lowing Spelling's popular "Beverly Hills 90210," is highly desirable.
- Matthew E. Milliken
Doomtrooper, Star Wars Tournies Coming
Decipher, Donruss/NXT Games, Chameleon Eclectic and Target
Games AB are among the many collectible card game companies
supporting their games with tournaments.
Target Games AB is hosting the Doomtrooper World Champi-
onships in Stockholm, Sweden, this May. The main event will be
the man-to-man tournament in cup format. There will also be a
team tournament, a sealed-deck tournament and other activities.
Top finishers at national tourneys in the United States, the United
Kingdom, France, Israel, Japan and other countries earn tickets to
the world championships.
Tournament prizes include a trophy, original Doomtrooper art-
