Companies . . . 

The board game Risk is becoming a TV series. After establishing quite a few of its toys and games at films, Hasbro is now moving into the world of prestige television, with the classic board game Risk set to become a series produced by Beau Willimon, who created the American version of House of Cards for Netflix and worked as its showrunner for its first four season. 

Lego Ninjago celebrates 10 years. Today, LEGO Group is celebrating 10 years of the LEGO Ninjago brand. The journey started in 2011 and in the time since, many kids have grown up with LEGO Ninjago and the LEGO Ninjago Masters of Spinjitzu television series. Master Wu and the ninjas Kai, Cole, Zane, Jay, Lloyd, and Nyahave taught kids valuable lessons about life, while they use their courageous ninja skills to fight the forces...

Wizards of the Coast announces that Retail Improvement Grants are now available for 2021. Wizards of the Coast announced that applications for Retail Improvement Grants are now available for 2021. In 2019, WotC unveiled a program that would assist stores in moving from WPN to WPN Premium by infusing them with retailer grants. The 2021 grants can be applied for through the WPN site, and used for four...

Asmodee USA will release 'The Initiative'. Asmodee USA will release The Initiative, a new board game by Unexpected Games, in Spring 2021. Unexpected Games is a new studio headed up by Corey Koniecka, who was the former VP of Research and Design at Fantasy Flight Games, and their debut game is a cooperative game that allows players take on the roles of teenagers who've discovered a mysterious board game called...

Renegade Game Studios unveils 'Hadrian's Wall'. Renegade Game Studios unveiled Hadrian's Wall, a fortress-building board game, for release in Q2. In this game, players assume the roles of Roman Generals who have been charged with building a milecastle with a bordering wall. Players will build their fort and wall, man the defenses, and attract civilians over the course of six rounds. 

The Pokemon International Company ynveils 25th anniversary special 'First Partner Collector's Binder' and 'First Partner Packs'. The Pokemon Company International announced that it will be releasing First Partner Collector’s Binder and First Partner Packs for Pokemon TCG, to celebrate 25 years of Pokemon, in 2021. Pokemon is turning 25, and The Pokemon Company International is celebrating with new special...

Game Review: “Titanic: The Game” Allows Players to Relive the 1990’s Blockbuster Film in a New Way. James Cameron’s Titanic has a heartbreaking ending, one in which Rose is separated from her true love Jack, whom she will only meet again in the afterlife. But what if that wasn’t the case? In Titanic: The Game from Spin Master Games, the ending might be different. Inspired by the blockbuster 20th Century Studios...

Hasbro Marvel Legends she-hulk figure available for pre-order! A brand new Hasbro Marvel Legends 6-inch-scale She-Hulk Figure has been announced for pre-order on Pulse as well as other retailers. Fans, collectors, and kids alike can enjoy this Marvel Legends Series 6-inch She-Hulk figure, inspired by the character from Marvel entertainment. 

Pegasus Spiele announces 'Doodle Dungeon'. Pegasus Spiele announced Doodle Dungeon, a drawing game by Ulrich Blum featuring art by John Kovalic, for release in Q1.The dungeon bosses are tired of being looted and have forced the best architects in the world into their service to create a hero-proof dungeon. In this game, players will draw out blueprints for these dungeons, and add all-kinds of monsters, traps and...

Matagot treases a trio of titles. French game publisher Matagot has revealed plans for three new games releasing this year, including the dexterity game Tiny Acrobats and the party game Platypus, both scheduled for Q3 release, as well as the deck-building game Nine Ravens. Tiny Acrobats, from Meeple Circus creator Cedric Millet, builds on the ideas from his earlier design, challenging players to use wooden “meeples...

Funko taps ChizComm as multi-media partner for the launch of new toy line Snapsies. The pop culture specialist, Funko, has appointed the media expert ChizComm Beacon Media to handle the multi-platform media for its newest toy line, Snapsies. The appointment has been made as Funko continues its push towards a more diversified toy portfolio. Under the appointment, ChizComm Beacon Media will handle kids media ...

Peppa Pig makes a splash in the U.S. to celebrate 10 year broadcast anniversary on the Nick Jr. channel. Hasbro  is sharing details of its 10th anniversary celebrations for Peppa Pig in the U.S. which will mark a decade since the popular preschool show first aired on the Nick Jr. channel to American audiences in February 2011. Hasbro is honoring the brand milestone with a year-long pipeline of new content,...

Two beloved monsters will be featured in the next 'Yu-Gi-Oh!' TCG booster set.Konami Digital Entertainment announced Lightning Overdrive, a new booster set for Yu-Gi-Oh! TCG, which will release into retail stores on May 14. This new set brings Number 39: Utopia, from Yu-Gi-Oh! Zexal, back as Number C39: Utopia Ray, and upgrades Akiza's Black Rose Dragon.

Asmodee launches new Brain Games and Two-Player Games ranges to fend off lockdown boredom. Asmodee has detailed the launch of two new key ranges for the year as the UK board gaming giant looks to reinforce its belief that ‘there’s a perfect game for every occasion’, particularly over the UK’s extended lockdown period. As part of an update to its existing collections, Asmodee has unveiled new lines...

Collectable plush brand Cats vs. Pickles lands in UK to ‘mirror sell-out success in the US’. Cats vs. Pickles, an international children’s IP that has rocketed to fame on YouTube, is looking to mirror its US success as it prepares to set all four paws down on the UK’s shores this year. Made available to the UK market through Paul Fogarty’s TWO IN 1 Direct, Cats vs Pickles will introduce its eclectic range that spans more than 100...

Disney Launches Marvel Must-Haves 52-Week Merch Reveal Event. Following the success of last year’s Mando Mondays promotion, Marvel gets into the action with a full year of consumer products reveals. The event begins with a look at new toys, collectibles, and other items inspired by WandaVision, which hits Disney+ tomorrow.

HASBRO INTRODUCES HYBRID TABLETOP GAME FOOSKETBALL. Hasbro Gaming is kicking off a new year with a game that combines a pair of classics. Kids 8 and up can face-off in Foosketball, a two-player tabletop game that combines elements of basketball and foosball. Players attempt to master their Foosketball figure to shoot baskets across the court. 

Big G Creative Uncovers Treasure with Bluffaneer Dice Game. Big G Creative taps into a world of treasure with a game inspired by a lost story. The legend of the Bluffaneer was once thought to be gone forever at the bottom of the deep, blue sea. It was a rowdy tale of pirates who wandered the world for gold — and Big G Creative has uncovered it. 

ViacomCBS Kids & Family is combining its live-action production under a single team so that all Awesomeness and Nickelodeon development, current series and studio functions will now be handled collectively. Nickelodeon’s Shauna Phelan (pictured left) and Zack Olin (pictured right) will lead the consolidated team. Phelan is currently SVP of live-action scripted development and production at Nick...

SPIN MASTER FLIES HIGH WITH SUPERCROSS DEBUT. As the new master licensee for the high-flying off-road motorcycle brand, Spin Master is rolling out bikes in two scales in the first wave of products to hit stores this spring. “We’re starting off the new year with the first-ever Supercross toy line, recreating the adrenaline and excitement of the popular live events at home, introducing play opportunities never before seen in...

Sneak peek at AsmoFair – The Toy Fair Edition 360° virtual stand tour AsmoFair - The Toy Fair Edition, which is the third edition of the company’s virtual show, runs from 17th-23rd January, with over 300 hours of meetings offered. These include evening and weekend slots in order to accommodate retailers’ needs – and prospective attendees can get a glimpse of what’s in store with a video preview on the virtual stand...

Beau Willimon Adapting Hasbro Board Game ‘Risk’ As TV Series As Part Of New First-Look Deal With eOne. Beau Willimon, creator of Netflix’s House of Cards, is overseeing a TV remake of classic board game Risk after signing a first-look deal with Hasbro-owned eOne.

Willimon, who also created Hulu space drama The First, will write and oversee the development of a series adaptation of the strategy game,

UNO CELEBRATES 50 YEARS OF BEING WILD. The No. 1 card game in the world according to the NPD Group is celebrating 50 years of fun with a yearlong celebration filled with new products, events, and partnerships. The basic history of UNO is a famous one — the oft-recounted tale of Merle Robbins, an Ohio barbershop owner and card game enthusiast, who created the game and sold the original version out of his barbershop. 

Toys“R”Us Asia: leaning into 2021 with hope  John Baulch talks to Toys“R”Us Asia’s chief commercial officer, Jo Hall, about the past year and how the retailer has emerged stronger than ever from the challenges it has faced. Jo Hall’s name is synonymous with the heyday of two of the UK’s largest and most successful toy retailers – Toys“R”Us and Woolworths. In an illustrious toy trade career spanning more than 30 years...

Hasbro has created a new global purpose organization, which will be led by newly appointed chief purpose officer Kathrin Belliveau. The team will handle all of the toyco’s more philanthropic missions, including global government relations, global communications, corporate social responsibility, sustainability, ethical sourcing and social impact. Belliveau will report to Hasbro CEO Brian Goldner. 

Cartamundi builds Global R&D Center to ‘centralise vision’ for product innovation Cartamundi, a leader in the manufacture of games and playing cards, is building a new Global R&D Center in Turnhout to work closely with Cartamundi’s R&D departments around the world. The new center, the firm states, will be ‘crucial for Cartamundi’s strength and digital transformation,’ and will act as the base for ‘a team of …

Toikido lands master toy deal for smash-hit game AmongUs  Darran Garnham's Toikido has partnered with Innersloth Games on the master toy deal, which covers categories including collectibles, figures, plush, play sets, RC and more. Darran Garnham, formerly CEO EMEA at MTW Toys, is off to a strong start with his new venture, Toikido, landing a master toy deal with the studio behind the lockdown smash-hit game AmongUs...