September 2022
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The Team... Toy World 5 John Baulch Publisher and Managing rachael@toyworldmag.co.ukjohn@toyworldmag.co.ukEditor014425024080793265120701442502406markc@toyworldmag.co.uk01442502405 from the editor
Assistant
Rory Partis, director UK Toys & EuroToys NPD, examines the latest data from the Games & Puzzles supercategory.
NPD Insight
As has been well-documented, Games & Puzzles experienced significant growth over the Covid period in the UK. In particular, the category saw a surge in sales over the lockdown in Q2 2020 and Q1 2021. Inevitably therefore, is it challenging to look at trends vs. either 2021 or 2020. However, the supercategory has a very healthy trend of +32% vs. 2019. This points to the surge in popularity of Games and Puzzles during lockdown bringing in new consumers, who have stayed in the category, which can only be a good thing. The Games & Puzzles supercategory is -4% for YTD July 2022 compared to the same period in 2021, which is marginally better than the overall market trend of -5%.
You can see the impact of the Card Games subclass when looking at the top items in games, with Uno from Mattel in the top spot and Dobble from Asmodee at No.2. The third spot is taken by the Pokémon Sword and Shield Brilliant Stars Booster Box, also from Asmodee. Classic Monopoly from Hasbro and Rubiks Cube from John Adams are the two other items that make up the top five for the Games segment.Turning to Puzzles, the overall segment has a -24% trend vs. 2021 but, like the overall Games & largestperiodstorieswasistrendworthsupercategory,Puzzlesit’slookingatthevs.2019,which+7%.AdultPuzzlesoneofthesuccessoftheCovidanditremainsthePuzzlessubclass,accounting for over half of all value for the segment in 2022, a hint that adults have stayed with the category long after lockdowns have ended. The top item in Puzzles is actually a carry case, with the PortaPuzzle De Luxe 1000 in the No.1 spot and then the Harry Potter Hogwarts Castle 3D Puzzle 197 Pieces from University Games at No.2.
suzie@toyworldmag.co.uksam@toyworldmag.co.ukEditor01442502406
Rory Partis Director UK Toys & EuroToys NPD
It’s hard to believe another year has passed, but here we are, bringing you the 2022 Toy World Games & Puzzles supplement in all its glory. As we all know, the Games & Puzzles category enjoyed an exceptionally strong 2020 and 2021, with the impact of lockdowns and increased expendable income combining to create unusually high levels of demand for at-home entertainment among British consumers. It therefore shouldn’t come as a surprise to anyone that this year, the category is cooling its heels a little – though according to NPD, it’s still up an impressive +32% on 2019. When I wrote last year’s leader, we were all waiting to see how stock shortages would hamper sales in the run up to Christmas. This year, many of us are awaiting the latest surge in the cost of living, with the energy price cap soaring ~80% just weeks before Christmas, and inflation ticking up all the time too. The challenges this year are very different, yet within them lie opportunities for those who can peer past the gloom. With families watching the pennies and cutting back on activities outside the home, it’s very likely many of us will be gathering round a board game this festive season, or taking turns at the annual Christmas puzzle, instead of forking out on pricier forms of entertainment. Consumers are more than aware how much fun a game or puzzle offers (not to mention replayability) –all suppliers themthiswhat’sshowneedmanufacturersandtodoisthemoutthereyearfortoenjoy.Thispacked80-page issue, published alongside our biggest-ever September issue of Toy World, contains a wealth of information on the Games & Puzzles category. We’ve put together a Touching Base feature with top suppliers and a Talking Shop section with specialist retailers, plus compiled more new product information than you could shake a stick at. Alex Green, managing director at cover star Asmodee UK, spoke to us about price points and consumer demographics, while indie games company Big Potato shared with us what comes next for this fast-growing company. Joeri Hoste, general manager International at Exploding Kittens, also sat down with the Toy World team to outline how the company continues to build on its ongoing success. We hope you enjoy this year’s supplement and that Q4 is good to you. Regardless of what else is going on out there, in the Games & Puzzles category, there’s still all to play for.
Unboxing Games & Puzzles
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Looking at Games in 2022, the standout subclass is Strategic Trading Card Games, which now accounts for around a third of all Games spend. This growth has been driven by the popularity of Pokémon, which was the top growth property in the total market in 2021 and continues to grow in 2022, with a trend of +20% in Games. There are several other Games subclasses that have grown in 2022, with Card Games having a positive trend of +7% and Brainteasers growing by +30%.
Let’s kick things off with a look at this year’s trends. It seems online challenges such as Wordle are fuelling demand for physical word games to play at home: suppliers have recognised this and are either pushing existing products more strongly this year or launching entirely new ones. Gibsons says its existing family-friendly game Pass the Bomb caters perfectly to this trend, while University Games is launching a ‘confounding new word strategy board game’, 5-Letter Wordlet.
While the Games & Puzzles category fared incredibly well during the pandemic, it remains to be seen what the effect the cost-of-living crisis will have on the category. However, there are still abundant opportunities out there for suppliers and retailers alike, and an awful lot for consumers to look forward to. Rachael Simpson-Jones speaks to a selection of leading games and puzzles suppliers about how they’re making the most of the market this year, and how their new launches cater to what consumers want.
Scrabble Trap, for instance, gives players the opportunity to steal points, tiles or even the game using special Trap tiles: the addition of sabotage adds an entirely new dimension of gameplay.” Macabre to some and fascinating to others (I’m firmly in the latter camp), consumers are also snapping up crime-themed games for dinner parties and family get-togethers. While much true crime media is a little too grown-up for younger kids, companies are taking care to keep many of their games accessible and fun for children.
Games & Puzzles Category Overview
Vivid Goliath, off the back of the growing interest in true crime TV, books, films and podcasts, is expanding its True Crime category with Casefile: Truth & Deception, which it says will provide crime fans aged 12+ with unlimited replayability at an accessible price point. Casefile joins The Real Truth (also suitable for kids from the age of 12) within the wider range, along with the crimesolving/puzzle hybrid Scene of the Crime. University Games, meanwhile, offers a good selection of Murder Mystery games which prove popular for New Year’s Eve parties. Presented in whisky-bottle-style gift tubes, Murder Mystery in Paris, Murder at the Tower and Murder Mystery Aboard the RMS Titania all contain six different plots suitable for players aged 14 and over. And Toy World 6
“Scrabble is all about the power of words, which are always evolving to represent the world we live in,” says Kelly Philp, Marketing lead UK, Mattel. “With 63% of UK households owning a Scrabble board, our mission is to continue to create exciting adaptations of the game using fan-favourite licences and challenging twists.
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Modern word challenges may also boost sales of classic games such as Scrabble. At almost 75 years old, Scrabble is a stalwart of the Games category, but brand owner Mattel is continuing to keep it fresh and relevant for today’s audiences with new and exciting launches.
Toy World 8 those who enjoy some simple detective work can step into the shoes (or under the deerstalker) of Sherlock Holmes with Ravensburger’s new Sherlock Holmes Scotland Yard. Equally as entertaining and challenging as its generic predecessor, the game invites players to join the super-sleuth and his team as they hunt down the mysterious criminal Moriarty across the city of London.Anoverlap between True Crime and Escape Room games is offering further opportunities for amateur sleuths. Having soared in popularity during lockdown, consumers still can’t get enough of Escape Room games, according to retailer Mike Berry of Leisure Games, one of this month’s Talking Shop contributors. Nicola Fox-Haggarty, commercial director at Hasbro UK & Ireland, confirms this, saying the company is seeing big demand for crime and mystery-solving games. Hasbro has combined the two themes into a new launch she believes will meet the growing demand head on. She says: “With crime thrillers exploding across TV, streaming, podcasts, books and even live entertainment, we don’t see this trend going away anytime soon. We’re launching our first ever Escape game with our much loved and trusted mystery game brand, Cluedo. Cluedo Escape: Treachery at Tudor Mansion is launching this autumn and will bring hours of Escape room themed fun to kids and adults alike.” Licensing has always been of huge importance to the Games & Puzzles category, but we’re starting to see new games coming through based on classic blockbuster movies and franchises that offer players a fresh, far more strategic way to immerse themselves in their favourite properties. Funko, via its Prospero Hall studio, is launching E.T. Light Years from Home and Jurassic World: The Legacy of Isla Nublar this year, both of which will appeal to more ‘serious’ gamers. I asked atgamesBrissaud,StephanseniordirectorFunko,howthecompany’sbackgroundinthepop-culture and collectibles spaces shapes its approach to game development. He told me: “First and foremost, Funko is about putting story first. We know which components of a licence or property really appeal to fans, and we build a game around that. For instance, the iconic BMX scene from the movie E.T. is a moment of cinematic brilliance. We therefore used that as the starting point for the entire tabletop game, Light Years from Home. This collaborative team game remains true to one of the core movie memories and taps into the emotional nostalgia that people continue to feel, even 40 years after the movie’s release. It’s also a property that parents want to share with their own children, and the game brings it to life in an engaging and accessible way.”
“Thanks to the thorough research that goes into the development of our games and puzzles, and our meticulous production processes, many of our established family games titles enjoy strong brand recognition - in particular, long-standing titles such as Labyrinth and Memory, as well as immersive games including our Villainous titles and movie-licensed offerings games. Of course, partnering with global licensors as well as established game development experts such as Richard Garfield and Max J Kobbert makes a significant difference, particularly among more dedicated games fans.”
Being such a big year for football, which saw the Lionesses finally bring it home at the Euros 2022 and the FIFA World Cup kicking off in November, it’s no surprise the sport is in focus as we move into Q4. University Games’ best-selling Subbuteo table football range, which includes both the Official England and Official Lionesses Main Games, is expected to be on many Christmas lists this year, while Winning Moves has overhauled its World Football Stars range to now include the latest and greatest from the world of football, with both men and women featuring in a new 1,000-piece puzzle and Top Trumps Quiz. It's not all about licensing though, as evidenced by the huge range of new generic games and puzzles coming through for this year and 2023.
As brilliant as its E.T. game is, it’s Jurassic World: The Legacy of Isla Nublar that Stephan is most excited about. At an RRP of £100, he says this meaty strategy game offers retailers a solid margin and ‘really packs a punch’, weighing in at 7kg and possessing enormous on-shelf appeal.
Other companies with new movie-licensed offerings for this year include Cartamundi, which has launched the new Jurassic World: Tracker & Dino Chase board game. Ravensburger, meanwhile, has announced a new game in the Villainous franchise - Star Wars Villainous: Power of the Dark Side. Immersive games fans have long been asking for Star Wars Villainous, according to Ravensburger, whose Villainous development team spent over a year diving into the characters and their stories to translate them into the Villainous gameplay system. “Ravensburger is a long-standing family-run business and quality is at the heart of all that we do,” explains Katy Fletcher, head of Marketing and Product Development, Ravensburger.
She tells me that although all the games have tested well with consumers and hold wide and varied appeal, she does have her favourites.
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“Rumble in the Jungle a classic Tomy game that we’ve unearthed from the archives and refreshed, while Link Logo is a new addition to the Logo family,” she says. “Logo is such a strong family of brands, led by Logo 2 (which was the No. 1 Adult game in 2021) and now supported by Logo for Kids. This launched last year and is going from strength to strength. The Drumond Park development team has done a great job with this new version of the game and retailers
Tomy, for example, has six new games launching across its Drumond Park and Tomy Games brands this autumn/winter, all of which Mary Wood, general manager UK & Ireland, is excited about.
He says: “As a legacy game, which comprises 12 scenarios played over a minimum of 24 hours, the game offers incredible value for money and repeat playability. The engaging storyline is designed to immerse players into the game, and the intricate details, figures and authentic design feel all add to the unrivalled experience.”
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A young but passionate company, Spinning Poodle also produces games that are perfect for travel. Contained within compact boxes and tins, and both designed and made in the UK, the company’s games get families laughing and playing together, according to founder Roger Coleman. He tells Toy World: “We have seen too many kids in restaurants on tablets while their parents chat, and we're on a mission to get them playing low tech games together instead. Our card games work on two levels: simple colourful fun for younger players in addition to strategy for older players, meaning everyone can join in.”
Cluedo Escape from Hasbro
Toy World 10 its Monopoly brand with the launch of Monopoly Travel World Tour, which hit shelves on 1st August. Billed as ‘the ideal travel inspiration’, Travel World Tour lets families discover exciting destinations from around the globe. Nicola Fox-Haggarty says: “We’ve found that children know more virtual places in the world than they do geographic ones, so this game bridges the gap and makes geography education fun. Players buy destinations, complete travel goals and stamp the dry erase gameboard with their token stamper to win. Families can create memories with the Travel Journal cards, which become part of the gameplay in future games, and can learn fun facts about locations across the globe along theEmmaway.” Weber, Marketing and Licensing director at Vivid Goliath, says the company is seeing continued success with classic, evergreen games such as Gooey Louie, Pop the Pig, Don’t Wake Dad, Shark Bite and Gator Golf. According to Emma, success is being driven via innovation that delivers ‘surprising and unpredictable’ outcomes every time kids and families play. She adds: “Chompin Charlie, our newest introduction to this category, arrives in the UK having been a sell-out success in the US in 2021. We’ve also seen a strong uptake in travel/entry price point games. Nexcube has really benefited from this as: it continues to cement its place as the ‘go to’ puzzle cube, being smoother, faster and better value than others on the market, and ideal for taking on the go.”
Perfect for the more crafty puzzler, or for hardcore aviation fans, Kidicraft’s 3000-piece puzzle of the Airfix Spitfire comes with a Supermarine Spitfire Model kit to build and display at home. This launch is one of many resulting from a recently signed deal with Hornby. The initial range comprises 28 jigsaw puzzles across all three of the licensor’s classic brands - Hornby, Airfix and Corgi - with something for beginners, collectors and enthusiasts alike. Speaking to Roy Greenwood, director of Kidicraft, it’s clear he feels licensed puzzles are integral to the success of his business this year.“The current demand for generic jigsaw puzzles has returned to near its preCovid levels, but the market is suffering from the impact of numerous new suppliers jumping into the market since the pandemic, looking for a quick win,” he explains. “This has then caused an overstocking issue across many wholesalers and retailers, and we’re seeing a drop in sales of up to 20% on generic ranges. Licensed puzzles are outperforming the market at the moment, however: our Star Wars, Marvel and Hornby ranges are all truly exceeding our expectations. I’m also incredibly excited about the upcoming licensed Naruto range, which we announced very recently. Manga is a completely new category for us, but the feedback from major retailers has been superb and we think it’ll perform very well indeed.” Like many other companies, Kidicraft is working hard to become more environmentally friendly. It’s making all its floor display units 100% recyclable and introducing eco-friendly, zero plastic, paper envelopes for puzzle pieces throughout its 1,000-piece Hornby brands jigsaw puzzles collection. Gibsons puzzles, meanwhile, are made from 100% recycled board, vegetablebased inks and no shrink-wrap plastic, while biodegradable seals secure the product. Many of Gibsons’ games are also completely plastic free, such as Quirk and Out of Order. In addition to several other companies, Gibsons has also identified a desire among consumers for cheaper games and puzzles that still offer quality and plenty of entertainment, a theme echoed by Mike Berry at Leisure Games and Nicola FoxHaggarty at Hasbro, and by Alex Green, managing director of Asmodee UK, in the exclusive interview on pages 16 and 18. We’re all aware of the impact the pandemic had on the category, when bored consumers embraced games and puzzles as a way of coping with lockdown cabin fever, but although expendable income is shrinking, it might be that games and puzzles come to rescue of families unable to afford days/evenings out during the difficult months ahead. October will see the energy price cap increase around +80% and in January it’s currently forecast to increase a further +20% or so, meaning the average consumer’s
Also reasonably new to the Games scene is Brass Pig, with its family-friendly festive board game The North Pole Race. February 2022’s winner of Small Business Sunday, Brass Pig launched the game in autumn last year. Company founder and game designer Alexander Hamilton is putting everything he has behind making The North Pole Race a success. “We have spared no expense on the product,” he says. “This game is made with the same level of professionalism and quality that you would expect from market-leading brands, and it’s too good to not succeed. The North Pole Race deserves to be in the locker of any game enthusiast.”Stickingwith Christmas for a moment, there are plenty of other festive treats on offer for this year. Jumbo is launching several Christmas titles this year, including Wasgij Christmas 18 – Gingerbread Showstopper, Falcon de luxe’s The Christmas Tree Farm, and Falcon Contemporary’s Leicester Square, while Ravensburger special 26th limited edition Christmas Puzzle, Santa’s Workshop, is joined by 12 other Christmas puzzle launches ranging from 100 up to 1,000 pieces, available in XL and XXL sizes. It's been interesting to see how many companies are now highlighting their products’ suitability and versatility as décor or display items for the home. Framing and hanging jigsaw puzzles is nothing new – my mum has framed the personalised 60th birthday Made for You by Gibsons puzzle I got her a couple of years ago, giving it pride of place in the dining room – but some of the artwork being offered is really quite contemporary nowadays. Rex London is really making the most of the opportunities presented by this growing area: its in-house design team has created a number of beautiful contemporary scenes, including the Wild Wonders Long Puzzle and Coral Reef puzzle. The inclusion of additional ‘freebies’ is also setting other puzzles apart from the rest: some manufacturers are providing impressive wall posters with their puzzles. Ostensibly for educational purposes, the Hape Human Body Puzzle, part of Toynamics UK & Ireland’s growing Games & Puzzles portfolio, includes a large fullcolour poster showing a host of fun facts.
Roger adds: “We are very excited about our newest game, Slug Sandwich, which is out this autumn. We've designed Slug Sandwich to build on the success of our current best-selling game Hide the Slug, which seems to have really captured the imagination of the public. Whilst Hide the Slug is a fun version of the classic card game Cheat, Slug Sandwich is a similarly fun version of the classic card game Rummy. It's also our first game which works well for two players, something we have seen a lot of demand for.”
budget for entertainment is likely to be heavily squeezed. A board game or puzzle provides hours of entertainment for a low price, compared, say, to the price of cinema tickets or a trip to the zoo – even big-box strategy games offer exceptional value for money, when you consider the hours of gameplay on offer. I don’t have a crystal ball, but it seems likely that the products featured throughout this supplement could well prove a very attractive option for families watching the pennies this winter.
Tomy, meanwhile, is focusing on getting its products to market at ‘price points that work’. Sometimes, Mary Wood explains, this means Tomy taking a shorter margin itself in order to secure the optimum RSP for its retail partners –an altruistic move on the company’s part. The company is also investing a significant amount of money this year with Bazaarvoice. The agency creates software that allows brands and retailers to collect and display several types of usergenerated content on their eCommerce websites, including consumer product reviews, which helps with decision making when purchasers are looking at products online. Considering how many of us now shop with our smartphones in hand, searching the internet for reviews before heading to the tills, this is a great way to boost sales in bricks & mortar stores. Mary finishes: “Integrity is important to all of us here at Tomy. So, when we say we are going to support our retailers and invest in marketing our products, we do just that.”
Behind the scenes, the inflated cost of shipping (though this is coming down, albeit slowly) and raw materials is requiring manufacturers to tread a delicate line between their own overheads and affordability for already struggling consumers.
So – what support can we expect to see this year, over and above the usual? Funko’s Stephan Brissaud told me Funko is ramping up its efforts in the UK this year by working closely with board game cafes to bring its games to life at a grass roots level. The company is also engaging mainstream influencers who will share its portfolio with their audiences and is upping its investment in media relations to ensure Funko Games titles are on as many Christmas wish lists as possible. Stephan adds: “We’re also exploring sampling within schools through our Marvel Battleworld expandable/collectible games as well as heading back to Essen in October.” Hasbro has developed a competition mechanic to help drive sales of its new Monopoly Travel World Tour edition. The campaign allows consumers to design and win a family world tour worth £25,000, and Hasbro will be supporting its retailers by producing a full suite of POS materials to help with activation. “We’ve kept the promotion as simple as possible to encourage participation,” explains Nicola Fox-Haggarty. “Shoppers will be able to download the planner in a digital format from our microsite. Families and friends can then come together to design their perfect three-stop world tour: one destination in the UK & Ireland, one in Europe and one anywhere across the rest of the world. We’ll then be choosing one lucky family to pack its bags and experience its creation forGibsonsreal.” has collaborated with Global Player on a campaign for its Out of Order game, which launched in autumn 2021. The company’s first party game, Out of Order will be promoted on two podcasts with over half a million listeners every week. Gibsons will also be supporting independent customers with Black Friday deals on key lines to boost crucial pre-Christmas sales.
Over the coming pages, Toy World brings you everything you need to know about the newest games and puzzles either available now or launching soon.
With economic conditions as they are, this looks unlikely to change any time soon: all anyone can do is manage the situation as best they can, and support their retail partners during what are undeniably challenging times.
Exploding Kittens has introduced new extensions for two of its biggest franchises; Zombie Kittens for Exploding Kittens and a Not Safe For Work (NSFW) edition of Poetry For Neanderthals. In addition, the company has launched two completely new games; Mantis, which launched in spring, and Hand-to-Hand Wombat, which hit UK shelves in early August. These new additions bring Exploding Kitte’ portfolio to 26 games in total, grouped within the key franchises. Hand-to-Hand Wombat was launched as a Kickstarter campaign, and it achieved a massive 85,000 backers. As Joeri explains: “We came from Kickstarter, and while the majority of our business is now true retail, we still go back to the well once in a while to launch a campaign.” Hand-to-Hand Wombat is described as a game of teamwork, towers and troublemakers, combining social deduction and stacking bricks, where one team works together to build towers before the other team can secretly sabotage it. It features the wombat character from The Oatmeal’s comic, which was the most popular comic in 2021.
Company Profile
Looking ahead, Joeri says he is excited for the future of Exploding Kittens. Next year will see an ambitious slate of five new games in the party games category. “We’ve enjoyed systematic growth and now we’re looking to build even further on that success,” he concludes.
Toy World 14
Toy World catches up with general manager International, Joeri Hoste, as the games company continues to build on its ongoing success.
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The company has also increased its in-store visibility and, for the first time, one retailer has rolled out an FSDU with eight SKUs in over 100 locations, dedicated to the Exploding Kittens brand. “In the bricks and mortar segment, we will be in a much better place than we were in the last two years, so we are hoping that translates into increased sales,” says Joeri.
Business is purring along nicely for Exploding Kittens. Despite the cost-of-living crisis hitting many households, retailers and consumers have been keen to get on board with the company’s quirky party games.
Best-sellers though are still Throw Throw Burrito and the original Exploding Kittens game, and plans are in place to deepen these ranges. Although there was no new launch for Throw Throw Burrito this year, specific solutions to appeal to every segment of the market, such as the Cat Burglar Edition of Exploding Kittens which it launched as a brick-and-mortar exclusive, as well as the Two-Player Edition with a £9.99 entry-level price point.
Joeri says he is encouraged by the fact that bricks and mortar retailers have come on board for Exploding Kittens’ games in a big way and tells us many national accounts now have a much broader listing than last year. As retailers invest in Exploding Kittens, the company is reciprocating with support by stepping up its marketing, an area where Joeri concedes there was room for improvement in previous years. “We have really ramped up our (mainly digital) advertising,” he explains. “To reward and support retailers that are investing in us, we’ve invested back in them and launched digital campaigns that drive traffic specifically to their stores and websites. That has had a hugely positive effect.”
Joeri Hoste says that while the games market is currently “quite challenged”, with NPD showing it down around 5%, 2022 has been a very positive year for Exploding Kittens, with the company delivering a credible 25% growth year on year for bricks and mortar sales. “We have been ramping up our product development calendar and the response from retailers has been encouraging,” he says.
Despite NPD figures showing a slight decline in the Games category, Joeri believes that demand is very much still there, especially for the company’s new releases. Zombie Kittens, which was presented at this year’s London Toy Fair, is enjoying strong sales already, fuelling his belief that there will always be an appetite for a new game if it is executed well.
Speaking of fan investment, I asked Alex for his thoughts on Netrunner, a card game one of the retailers in this month’s Talking Shop seems to think is becoming popular again. He seems surprised – the game was first published back in the 90s - but explains that hobbyists return to classic titles time and
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Iare challenging, and it’s fair to say the toy market is once again facing its fair share. While shipping costs have come down slightly from the extortionate heights they reached in 2020/21, this hasn’t happened as quickly as businesses hoped it would be and it seems highly unlikely we’ll see prepandemic prices ever again. On top of cost, delays and shipments being bumped are still causing headaches for“Everythingmany. surrounding the ‘big squeeze’ – the rising cost of living and inflation – is of course a concern,” adds Alex Green, continuing to elaborate on how the current climate is impacting the Games & Puzzles market. “I think we’re yet to see the full effects of this: in October we’ve got the next hike in the energy price cap, so we’re keeping a close eye on whether that big jump in prices is going to catch even more consumers out. We’ve seen a slight cooldown in boardgame sales, but we’re not worried. It could just be that consumers are much freer these days to go on holiday, visit friends - to not be stuck at home.” Trading Card Games are one of the company’s bestperforming categories right now, having maintained consistently strong sales for the past 12-15 months.
Asmodee continues to expand on its already vast offering with new launches and distribution partnerships that offer retailers fresh new opportunities at every turn.
Toy World 16
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Rachael Simpson-Jones caught up with Alex Green, MD of Asmodee UK, to find out how the company is faring, what’s driving sales and the impact of economic challenges on the Games market.
Magic: The Gathering (Wizards of the Coast), Yu-GiOh! (Konami) and Digimon (Bandai) are all strong and showing growth, Alex tells me, though it’s Pokémon that continues to dominate the TCG scene. 18th-21st August saw the Pokémon World Championships 2022 take place in London - the first time the championships have been held outside of the USA - while this month welcomes Sword & Shield – Lost Origin, for which pre-orders have been rolling in. There’s also a new Nintendo game arriving on 18th November: Pokémon Scarlet and Violet, which heralds the arrival of the next new set of Pokémon characters. All events and launches will almost certainly drive sales, but they also reflect the strength of the brand and how invested its fans are.
Company Profile
Kidicraft’s exhilarating range of 1000pc jigsaw puzzles feature the brands of Kevin Walsh, Airfix, Hornby and Corgi.
Company Profile we now have Vampire: The Masquerade Rivals from Renegade Game Studios which is enjoying some success. Nowhere near the levels of Pokémon and Magic, mind, but these games will always have their place.”Echoing what several retailers and suppliers have told us recently, Alex says consumers have a keen eye on price points and will be trading down slightly on their usual purchases, looking for games that still offer quality and value for money, but at a lower price point. One of Asmodee’s current best-sellers is the fast-paced, family friendly card game Taco Cat Goat Cheese Pizza, which retails for around the £10-12 mark. It’s great fun to play, demonstrates well in store and has very cute artwork – best-seller material all-round. Asmodee has also recently welcomed Matt Edmondson’s Format Games to its distribution portfolio. Most Format Games offerings, including Noggin, Ansagrams, Egg Slam and So Wrong It’s Right, sit at a price point of between £10-15, and are proving a hit among consumers as a result. That’s not to say games which sit at the higher end of the spectrum, such as the original Ticket to Ride and Catan (both mainstays of the Asmodee portfolio retailing for around £40-£50), are no longer selling well, but it will certainly be interesting to see, particularly as we move into the festive season, where consumers are willing to pitch their spend this year. Alex says: “Wingspan remains in high demand, which just goes to show that consumers will pay for high quality games that provide great entertainment.” I pressed Alex a little more on the topic of consumer spending, keen to know if he feels there’s a definitive pricing sweet spot among consumers. Spend variability, he says, is largely down to the different types of gamers out there. Miniature gamers (those playing games using intricate models, not really small people) arguably think nothing of dropping reasonably large amounts of money on their hobby. The base Star Wars: Legion game is £120, for example, but it offers painting, gameplay, army-building and much more, which is a lot of activity for the price.
Happily for many games fans, the organised play event sector is getting back to full flow: Magic and Pokémon events, Alex says, are almost back to their pre-pandemic strength. However, he notes that while Asmodee is keen to provide much more in the way of in-store demonstrations, finding people to run them is proving tricky.
Alex says: “Generally, these types of games are one of the last things these people will give up when cutting costs. When we look back to the 2008 recession, we saw that these gamers were no longer going out to the cinema, but were still buying board games to play at home.”It’swhen you get down to the more general consumer that you start to really see the impact of economic conditions on games spending, according to Alex. Interestingly, there’s also a payoff in the amount of time consumers will spend researching their potential purchase.
Earlier in our conversation I’d mentioned that Wingspan, which retails for around £60, is on my wish list: I just haven’t yet been able to justify buying it. (My husband says doing up our alarmingly retro 1970s house is more important –I disagree.) Because I’ve read all about the game, watched playthrough videos and checked out reviews from other gamers, I know I will buy it: it’s simply a matter of when. At the lower end of the price spectrum, consumers don’t take such a deep dive. It’s more a case of reading the box (‘does it look fun?’), checking the age rating (‘is it OK for my niece?’) and assessing the number of players (‘can we all play it at this weekend’s BBQ?’). This is where the likes of Taco Cat Goat Cheese Pizza come into their own. “Over the past four or five years, the industry as a whole has got much better when it comes to production quality,” adds Alex. “Companies are no longer trying to fill boxes with air or empty space to create artificially big boxes, for instance. Nowadays, it's far more a case of what looks good, fits well and offers great play value.
And consumers really like heft; heavy boxes mean lots of value.”Asmany readers will already be aware, Asmodee’s portfolio is substantial. The company distributes for a great many suppliers, which Alex says is a privilege.
One of Asmodee’s focuses for the year ahead is marketing.
Alex is on the fence about just how and when Christmas sales will arrive. Some reports he’s read say it’ll be an early Christmas this year, while others reckon it’ll be late as it was in 2021. Whatever happens, Asmodee is confident consumers will be out there spending on games – it’s just not sure when the surge will come. The strategy is therefore to remain flexible and react quickly to the market as things occur: another late Christmas may cause some consternation around promotions and just how aggressive (or otherwise) to be with them. Sales wise, Alex is confident of a similar performance to last year, which will be music to the ears of many a retailer. With such a huge product range, some of Asmodee’s games will naturally be up on last year, while others will be down.
Asmodee
The likes of Waterstones or John Lewis, meanwhile, might require demonstration support, while retail giants like grocers benefit from joint business planning, depending on their range selection and margin requirements.
There’s no longer a pool of specialists to deploy to stores like there was pre-Covid, and the labour market remains weak across many sectors, not just retail. Stores that organise events themselves are more able to cope, as they can divert people and resources to events where necessary. Asmodee is working hard to find a solution though, and we’ll surely see in-store demos returning to the likes of Waterstones soon.
Helping retailers understand the portfolio and where it offers them the most sales potential boils down to understanding the different games segments and where each slots into the retail landscape. Hobby and independent retailers are Asmodee’s bedrock, Alex tells me, and while no retail partner can carry everything, most will see success with a broad range of products.
Support for indies hinges upon stock availability and after-sales service, alongside additional perks such as launch events and organised play activities.
Asmodee is moving to new premises next year which will help to improve efficiency issues, which Alex says comes naturally from being spread across
Then you’ve got enthusiastic boardgame players, who will happily pay £40-70 for new and exciting titles.
Alex tells me: “Our DNA and history is as a distribution unit, and distributors are not generally known for their marketing efforts. They tend to be quite cautious. But we’ve got great products that offer great entertainment value, and frankly we should be telling more people about them. We are evolving our marketing efforts, we’re trying new things and exploring new areas. At the end of last year, coming into 2022, we ran a CITV sponsorship for the first time, as well as a series of slots with Absolute Radio. And as I mentioned earlier, we want to resurrect our demonstration programme, even if it’s in a different fashion to pre-2019. We’ve done UK Games Expo, Car Fest North and South this year too. It’s all about finding new consumers and reaching them wherever they are.”
Success lies in striking a balance.
games, a lot has changed. The trio enjoyed early success with Linkee and used the learnings to launch Big Potato in 2014. The company has been firmly rooted in Shoreditch since the very beginning, although its premises have grown along with the team. In 2016, Big Potato moved to a Victorian department store fondly known as ‘The Palace’ from its previous location, ‘The Cave’, and now occupies the top floor of an architectural firm (aptly named ‘The Penthouse’).
The new games get played by these enthusiasts, who then provide pre-launch feedback on how easy they are to play, whether the price point is right, who the game could be played with, and so on. This approach has helped Big Potato define not only which games to produce, but how it positions itself in the market.
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Becky says Obama Llama marked a point in time for the company: it was - and remains - a massive hit. The following year, The Chameleon launched. This game, which was discovered at Essen being carried around inside a humble plastic bag, has been one of Big Potato’s biggest sellers to date.
In addition to Becky’s appointment and Big Potato’s arrival at the US retailer Target, 2016 saw the launch of Obama Llama, created in partnership with radio DJ Matt Edmondson (who’s since gone on to create his own games company, Format Games).
James explains: “A big change has been the hire of Ed Naujokas (the designer of the pick-yourpath strategy game What Next?) into the game
development team as our first ever full-time inventor. Since his appointment last year, Ed has designed three titles that have gone on to become main games in our range. This is no small feat and Ed’s impact is already noticeable. When developing games for this year, four of the games in our line-up were inventor items [including Sounds Fishy, Chicken vs Hotdog and Shoot for the Stars]. Next year, just one of our games will have come from outside Big Potato. It just goes to show what we can do with a little more game designer firepowerLicensingin-house.”alsoplays a part: around 25% of Big Potato’s games involve a brand licence, while the rest are home-grown brands. Big Potato aims to put out a licensed offering each year, some of which might resonate more strongly with audiences outside of the UK, in the US for example, where the company is continuing to grow its footprint via its distribution partner, Spin Master. For example, this year has seen Big Potato launch a strategy board game based on the US Postal Service. As it continues to pick up pace with its games development, Big Potato is placing a much bigger emphasis on play testing and product package testing. The company now taps into a pool of Big Potato fans, split into four different target markets.
The feedback the playtesters provide has also been invaluable in identifying potential pitfalls early on. Chicken vs. Hotdog, which launches this month, is a
Company Profile
Like other games companies, Big Potato has also seen its share of success on Kickstarter. In partnership with YouTube creators ASDF, it set out to raise £10,000 in 30 days for a game called Muffin Time. It achieved that within one hour, and over £1m was raised in total. This, again, helped propel the company to even bigger and better things.
Present throughout all Big Potato’s formative years has been James Vaughan, the company’s first ever employee. Although he’s worn many Big Potato hats during the eight years he’s been there, James is now head of Game Development. This role marks a significant shift in how the company approaches things. To date, the inventor community has been an important source of games ideas for Big Potato: James says around 30% of Big Potato’s games over the years have come from outside inventors, and the rest from inside the company. First-time inventors make up a large proportion of successful submissions, and moving forward, this will be balanced with in-house invention, thanks to an appointment made in 2021.
The indie games company Big Potato has earned a reputation for developing decidedly different, family-friendly party games that are quick to learn and easy to play. Rachael Simpson-Jones paid a visit to Big Potato’s Shoreditch HQ to speak to Becky McKinlay, head of UK & EU marketing, plus some of the other team members, about what comes next for the fast-growing company and how it continues to chip away at the games market.
Cream of the crop Big Potato
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Big Potato games can be found across a variety of UK retail channels, from Amazon and mass market retailers such as Tesco, through to high street retailers and indie toy & game specialists. Big Potato’s in-house Sales & Marketing teams work closely together to ensure all retail partners receive excellent support.
“The Incubator is a new project for Big Potato this year — it’s a distribution platform for inventors and publishers to have their game sold in the UK, USA and Europe,” says Becky. “The games will start out on Amazon, and then have the potential to move into the Big Potato catalogue after the first year. As brand manager, Kerry Bruce helps find the games and manage the accounts of The Incubator as well as our third-party games.”
Company Profile
Big Potato is always seeking ways to improve, adapt and grow, not just its team, now 43 strong including two employees in the US (including Massimo Zeppetelli, head of US Marketing and Lauren Rossi, director of Business Development) and one in Germany, but also its product portfolio and sales. The company’s +40% growth YOY vs. 2021 is very impressive, and with over 60 games in its portfolio, Big Potato will sell its 10 millionth game this year. But there’s also a lot going on behind the scenes.
Big Potato is also pushing forward with its ESG responsibilities. The aim is to become a certified B Corp: ‘a business meeting high standards of verified performance, accountability and transparency on factors from employee benefits and charitable giving to supply chain practices and input materials.’ It’s a long, challenging process, but one the team is up for regardless.“We’vegrown up a lot since 2014,” Becky notes. “We’re thinking much more about everything we do as a company, from our games, which we obviously want to be great, to our culture and how it extends to our retailers and consumers. We want to be ‘that’ brand: the one people feel a genuine affinity with. Hopefully, everything we’re doing will give people more reasons to love us as both a retail partner and games developer. We’re small but we’re growing – and most importantly, we’ve got a Big (Potato) heart.” World 22
Big Potato beneficial product package testing in action. The game Challenge Cards side down in the Chicken vs. Hotdog was therefore an adult game. Big Potato subsequently redesigned the faces to have more dopey, dumbstruck expressions and sent them back out for further testing. Lo and behold, the testers were then satisfied it was a family-friendly game. During the pandemic, Big Potato also branched out into puzzles (with a gameplay element): the third title is launching this year, joining the existing Night at the Movies and Day at the Festival 1,000-piece puzzles. The party game specialist began to think more about single-player games such as What Next?, the first of Big Potato’s portfolio to be playable by just one person, though it caters for up to four.
Other new initiatives include the Big Potato Academy, a six month internship programme which aims to give a leg-up to creative individuals who wouldn’t necessarily think of working in the board game industry. Daisy Holbrook and Yvonne Changa, the first two interns to take part, are receiving a thorough introduction to all areas of the Big Potato business – and in meaningful ways, not, Becky laughs, simply by ‘making tea or doing photocopying’. From game design and social media marketing to retail support and copywriting, Academy students are immersed in everything games. They can also request to ‘specialise’ in certain areas as they discover their passionBeckypoints.adds:“One of the most interesting things our interns wanted to learn from their Big Potato mentor/ buddy was how to plan for and hold a meeting. You’re not normally taught that when you start at a company, are you? But meetings take place all the time. Being asked to provide insight on that process has really helped us understand how we can better prepare individuals for success in the world of games.”
For indies, this takes the form of social media guides that help store owners quickly and easily understand the platforms they should be on, and how they should be reaching the audiences on them. Its social media portal, meanwhile, is populated with content retailers can use as required, helping maintain a consistent tone of voice that’s instantly recognisable as Big Potato’s. Indies are also provided with exclusive Potato Plushies, stickers and pin badges for in-store giveaways.“Whenit comes to retail partnerships and consumer relationships, we’d like to hope we’re known as friendly people”, adds Becky. “Big Potato is appreciated just as much for its people as its games. We also think outside the box – why would we do the same thing as everyone else? Take the board game vending machine we installed at East London’s Loading Bar in 2018. No one else has done anything like that before, or since. Retailers seem to like that about us. They also really like the fact we offer free replacement parts. Someone’s dog ate the pink Herd Mentality cow recently, and the customer of the retailer contacted our Customer Service team when they found out. We replaced the cow really quickly, no questions asked – happy consumer, happy retailer. Hopefully the new cow will be kept away from the dog.” Looking ahead, the company is placing a big focus on the world of social media, particularly TikTok, where Becky notes small creators and brands can go viral far more easily – and cheaply – than on Instagram Reels or Meta (Facebook) Videos. Big Potato has its own in-house content and social media teams, which include Nat Aves, head of Content Marketing and Community, and Lily Coleman, Social Media manager. The teams create the content, which so far has racked up in the region of 18m organic views with little to no marketing budget behind it whatsoever. TikTok comes into its own for product launches, says Becky. Sounds Fishy, one of this year’s new games, viral videos, one of which had 2.6m views by the time I went to visit Big Potato. The other had 1.6m. Games such as Chicken vs. Hotdog, meanwhile, lend themselves perfectly to video content, not only boosting engagement at launch but also becoming popular among consumers looking to create their own gameplay videos post-launch.
Co-owners, Mind Games Southport
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In this day and age, it’s important to be where your customers are. We can therefore be found on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and TikTok, and we also post nationally from our website (www. mindgamessouthport.co.uk).
Talking Shop
Rachael Simpson-Jones spoke to indie retailers who specialise in Games & Puzzles to find out what’s hot in the category this year and how they stimulate sales in store.
Mike Berry - Leisure Games, London
Wand we’ve gained a pleasing number of new customers. We’re also seeing familiar faces returning again and again, so we’re obviously doing something right. Mind Games prides itself on stocking an impressive range of puzzles. Our 1,000-piece puzzles are proving to be extremely popular, particularly those from Gibson Games, Ravensburger and Falcon. As always, the In terms of trending themes, we’re finding that puzzles showing space and/or the planets are very popular. So are traditional scenes of shops, as well as more modern 3DMostpuzzles.ofour suppliers provide what are called half cuts - certain puzzle titles already completed - which allows us to display the finished scene, so customers can see before they buy what the finished puzzle looks like. This is a huge help to both our customers and ourselves. Gibsons Games also offers a Loyalty Scheme which only independent shops can join: as a result, our customers get a free jigsaw puzzle after they have bought six. Gibsons has also started offering indie exclusives for the first three months following a new release, which really helps drive traffic to us. All our suppliers also provide us with a database of images which we can use on our website and social media platforms to raise awareness of the latest and upcoming launches. We like to think that our shop is part of the community. There are Mind Games customers who pop into the store to say hello just because they are in town that day. We sometimes have a jigsaw on the go instore too, which customers are welcome to help with when they are visiting. We believe a smile and laughter are important, and this simple activity really helps promote that and gives shoppers something extra to look forward to when they stop by. This year we’ve won two awards: Best Hobby Store 2022 from the Prestige Awards and Best Independent Jigsaw Puzzle Retailer in the North West from the Ambassador Awards. We’re proud of these accolades and feel they reflect our approach to business and customer happiness.
Who wants to play?
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Puzzles are becoming very popular again: each Christmas we see more and more people buying a jigsaw for the whole family to do together during the festive break. The category has benefitted from the introduction of jigsaw puzzle advent calendars and baubles, and every year there are also a number of limited-edition puzzles brought out by the top suppliers. These are always snapped up very quickly.
asked me a few weeks ago what business has been like I’d have told you it was slow (and been a little worried) but surprisingly, it’s now really started picking up. I’m not sure why: I would have put the weeks of lower sales down to consumers simply cutting back on spending – we’re all worried about bills going up, aren’t we? Still, it’s no bad thing that sales have suddenly shot up and I’m certainly notOurcomplaining.consumers tend to be hobby gamers and they’re always on the lookout for either classic titles or brandnew releases. We’re noticing that smaller, cheaper games are selling really well. Consumers like to feel they’re spending their money wisely, and of course at this time of year travel-friendly games – anything compact and easy to take with you – are really popular. In terms of trends, escape room games remain a bestseller following lockdown, when they enjoyed excellent sales and plenty of demand, as well as two-player games such as Duel, Splendor, Codenames, Carcassone and Pass the PuzzlesPigs.also continue to hold their own; in fact, we’re seeing higher sales of these than we were preCovid. Our two biggest suppliers are Ravensburger and Coiledspring Games. We stock a healthy variety of Schmidt Spiele puzzles from Coiledspring. and place frequent orders across the range, which is very high quality and attractively priced. The same is true of Ravensburger puzzles. We find that our customers prefer traditional scenes over contemporary ones.
info@asmodee.co.ukasmodee.co.uk01420593593 The internet is full of Karen’s leaving real one star reviews… can you fool your friends into believing your fake complaints are the real deal?
Modernpay.
2-player game packs lots of fun into a conveniently quick play-period. Hachette is a relatively new supplier for us, but the support has been great, providing demo copies and an easy-to-use website. Asmodee often provides us with great POS too.
This year, we’re noticing that people are moving more towards our sustainable, wooden, plastic-free options. We love it: this gives us the confidence that all the other steps we’re taking to become a more sustainable looking to get away from their screens and come together as a family over something that harks back to simpler times. Most of our games also use minimal (if any plastic) which we also think makes a difference to the high levels of demand we see for them. However, it’s a shame there’s no Queen's Gambit or similar to drive a particular subcategory this year. In additional to all our sustainability efforts, we're also proud to be an Oxford Living Wage employer. No ifs, no buts - it's the right thing to do. Great staff create great retail experiences for consumers, and they deserve fair
artwork and contemporary scenes do sell, but not in the same volume. We’ve always done much better with stereotypical, traditional designs. We’ve brought back in-store events during the past few months, though we’re limiting numbers to 12 customers because of the amount of space (or lack of)
Travel games proved reliably popular during the holiday season – titles from Smart Toys & Games tend to be perfect for travel - while the run up to Christmas provides us with the opportunity to sell more familygame range. On top of all this, we have absolutely brilliant staff. They know so much about our range and are simply fantastic ambassadors for the business. We stock a good range of modern and classic board games, from Monopoly and Scrabble to Catan, Azul and Ticket to Ride. Big Potato is also a super friendly and helpful supplier – although to be honest, we don't really work with any suppliers who aren't.
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info@asmodee.co.ukasmodee.co.uk01420593593 Join your friends at your favorite coffee house for a fast-paced game of Dobble: Friends, the new speed and observation card game from Zygomatic Games. The game includes the iconic Friends characters, Rachel, Phoebe, Monica, Chandler, Joey, and Ross, as well as classic symbols from the show, like the turkey, the purple door and the Central Perk logo. FRIENDS and all related characters and elements © & ™ Warner Bros. Entertainment Inc. WB SHIELD: © & ™ WBEI. (s22)
Light Up Game Night with ®
® joeri@explodingkittens.com Heavyweight digital, social & in uencer campaign: YouTube, Instagram, Facebook & TikTok Family friendly party games for ages 7 and up: perfect for the holidays. CAT BURGLAR EDITION
Maintaining relevance and re-engaging with brand refreshes is a win-win. We’ve seen this with Memory but also with the children’s game Zingo!, which relaunches this autumn with a new look and the same successful gameplay. We continue to build upon the popular Disney Villainous and Marvel Villainous franchise with regular new expansions and standalone games such as the highly anticipated Star Wars Villainous, which launches in September. Additionally, the popularity of fan-based and movie inspired games, such as Jurassic Park, Jaws, Alien and Back to the Future, gives players a more challenging and longer-lasting game with a great story interwoven into the gameplay. There is more opportunity for growth here in future years. We’re in a fortunate position as a market leader. We currently hold the highest number of licences across adult and children’s puzzles, and licensors trust our ability to be innovative with the brands and deliver a superior product which will appeal to consumers. Be they educational, fun, seasonal or particularly challenging, our knowledge and insight spanning more than 135 years in puzzle design means we continually bring new developments to market, working with both trusted and new designers who can respond to our creative briefs.
Chris Beardmore - UK sales manager, Learning Resources
Innovation is key. This year we launched our first circular puzzle, while last year saw the launch of our Escape Puzzles for adults and children. Combining puzzles and games into one item has proven to be a winning format. Our 3D range continues to perform across many designs too, particularly vehicles, the Children’s Globe and Planetary Solar System. Supporting our retail partners is so important to us. This has always been driven by regular face to face visits, supported by our twice-yearly print trade catalogue and digital sales tools. 2022 is a year for driving footfall back into bricks & mortar stores. We have focused our efforts on promotions and activations with CreArt, GraviTrax and ThinkFun. Traditional marketing in-store activities include POS displays, in-store theatre, bespoke shelving, lightboxes, digital screens and product displays, all of which enhance our marketing support at a grassroots level.
With more parents than ever looking for toys and games that have an educational purpose, we continue to expand our range with innovative early years games and puzzles that build a variety of skills. This allows us to offer trade customers a range of games for different ages and developmental stages to suit their target markets.
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Touching Base
All our products are developed to encourage learning through play. The Puzzle Cards range offers simple puzzles for pre-schoolers that teach children early maths and literacy skills, and each individual puzzle assembles in a unique way which means there’s only one correct answer. This allows children to self-correct and builds their confidence as they figure out the solutions for themselves. This unique feature is incorporated into all our puzzles, including the new Numberblocks puzzles which launch in January 2023. Likewise, our games are all developed in collaboration with experts and are recommended by teachers, making them fun to play with while building skills such as mental maths fluency or fine motor skills. This makes them a top choice with parents: many are best-sellers and award-winners.
To grow brand awareness, Learning Resources runs a continuous multichannel consumer marketing campaign focusing on our brand, and core product categories. We also offer our customers plenty of support when it comes to setting up their own eye-catching retail displays, in-store activities and online displays.
Katy FletcherHead of Marketing and Product Development, Ravensburger
Despite the latest economic challenges, spending more time at home means getting out family games and puzzles. Consumers want innovation and new products as well as best-sellers and family favourites. At Ravensburger, we’re fortunate to have winning formats in both puzzles and games, many of which also possess heritage value. Labyrinth, for example, celebrated its 35th anniversary in 2021 and now comes in a variety of play formats, from special editions to children’s and licensed versions, and our own Memory, which launched back in 1959, remains one of our strongest volume drivers for children.
Thinking outside the box
Consumer marketing efforts this year have a stronger digital focus, with ready-made social media posts, lifestyle and product images as well as video content. We are also investing in cinema for the first time ever.
Each year our company launches over 100 new products and educational games, and puzzles are always part of the product mix. From maths to literacy and coding fundamentals, using educational games is an effective way to build and reinforce skills through play, which is how children naturally learn.
Following the Games and Puzzles category experiencing a surge in sales in 2020, Toy World spoke to a number of suppliers to ask them how sales can be maximised this year and what their advice would be to retailers wanting to hold instore retail games events and promotions.
Shoot for the Stars is a quiz version of ‘how many sweets are in the jar’. All the answers are numbers but you don’t need to get it exactly right, just get as close as possible without over shooting.
FORSHOOTTHESTARS
Christmas is the season to play games and these two are perfect for festive get-togethers.To place your order today, contact your Big Potato account manager or email trade@bigpotato.co.uk
SOUNDS Sounds Fishy is the perfect push-your-luck family Christmas game. Everyone makes up an answer to a weird question and one player has to pick out the fakes — while avoiding the real one. Hook that and they’ll lose all their points.
FISHY
We appointed Kayes of Cardiff as our exclusive distribution partner for the independent sector earlier this year. This was a key strategic move for us. It’s allowed us to enhance the service we offer independent retailers by giving them access to all the games and puzzles in our portfolio as well as practical retail solutions. We’re also looking at producing POS packs for our other retail partners
Touching Base
Simon Newbery - Managing director, Orchard Toys
Stewart Middleton - Consultant, VR Distribution
John Briggs - Commercial director, Epoch Making Toys Ltd
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The biggest opportunity in the games market at the moment is the world of social media: creating products that become social media sensations. We first noticed this a few years ago, most memorably on TikTok when overnight sales of Incohearent exploded because of the viral videos users were sharing. More recently, we’ve enjoyed some great influencer content for our new game, The Fuzzies. This resulted in us selling out a full container in around three weeks. This month also sees us launch Ladbible First Impressions, which takes the successful social media entertainment and news platform and turns it into a game. These sorts of partnerships offer us great consumer recognition from day one plus significant, organic online content. VR Distribution is in a unique position. We’ve introduced party games to many UK retailers over the past three years and these introductions have coincided with lifestyle changes - not just brought about by Covid but also by a shift in consumers’ available time and appetite for fast to learn, fun and quick games. Our growth has therefore been significant since our UK launch. This success has helped us gain distribution of global best-selling games such as Cards Against Humanity and What Do You Meme and means that we’re in a good position to gain more distribution of quality new games that provide strong play value.
As we all know, 2022 has been, and will continue to be, a challenging year. We have worked hard to maintain key price points and retailer margins, and to allocate stock so all channels can offer our high-demand lines. We run regular promotions, like our recent mid-season sale which offered our customers additional margin on current selected lines, rather than just clearing/moving bulk stock to one or two retailers. We’ve also just committed to extending the range of our Duncan pocket money lines, specifically yo-yos and puzzles. The Duncan range has taken us in a slightly different direction but has grown well through spring/summer 2022. We have also produced POS in terms of CDUs/PDQs and FSDUs to help retailers display the range at its best, so it doesn’t get lost on-shelf. The biggest opportunity for Epoch Games in the current games category is to maintain and build on the investment in family game play time that blossomed during the 2020 and 2021 lockdowns. In the three years since we launched our Super Mario games range, we have gone from strength to strength and are now one of the largest manufacturers in children’s games. Our games resonate well with parents and gift givers, who are looking for products that the whole family can play together. Each year we introduce range extensions to satisfy enthusiasts of iconic licences whilst expanding fan-favourite games such as Super Mario Blow Up! Shaky Tower. The collectability of our games brings families back time and time again, for a fresh take on traditional gameSuperstyles.Mario is a cult classic with familiar faces and games that parents will have grown up with and can enjoy again and again with their children. The majority of the characters within our range interact with one another, meaning characters from one game can be used within another providing great value and enhanced play options for consumers. Fans can switch between characters or use their favourite every time. Meanwhile, low entry points make the games accessible for all. A 360 omni-channel marketing campaign kicked off in August, running until the end of Q4, with an abundance of influencer partnerships and the launch of our brand-new social media channels. Marketing spend will cover TV, YouTube, video on demand and gaming platforms to complement the original IP. We will also be taking The Epoch Games Super Mario range to The Big Christmas Press Show in September, giving us an invaluable opportunity to get the games in to the hands of the press while securing all important coverage in Christmas gift guide lists. Furthermore, we’ll be supporting the brand via TikTok activations in Q4. From an in-store point of view, we can support retailers with bespoke POS and lightboxes to bring additional theatre in-store and draw shoppers into the range. Making the most of the opportunities out there hinges on offering customers products that score high on relevancy. Games and puzzles that reflect a current theme or trend always prove popular with shoppers, of course. Current winners for us are our dinosaur themed products. Dino Snore Us, Dotty Dinosaurs and Dirty Dinos offer varied gameplay for a range of ages, which makes them very popular. Of course, it’s key is to keep evolving your designs and gameplay to maintain that relevancy. This is what we’ve done with our new puzzles for this year, and why you’ll see dinosaur exhibits in our new At the Museum puzzle. The appeal of dinosaurs is timeless, and they’re popping up in everything from games and puzzles to family-friendly attractions and cinema releases. We’ll be continuing to feature them in new and exciting lines we’re working on ready for a Brand love and loyalty ensure Orchard Toys continues to be a best-seller with consumers. The success of our core lines, such as the best-selling Shopping List, speaks for itself. We’ve invested in building the brand, earning our reputation as a trusted choice in the educational games and puzzles sector and as the go to brand for customers. ‘Learning Made Fun’ sits at the heart of each of our products, ensuring they strike the perfect balance between education and fun. We give retailers a great choice of products suitable for kids from 18 months to 10 years, offering a variety of popular themes and price points. Our range appeals to a broad cross section of consumers and gives retailers the opportunity to achieve high levels of sales year-round. Our customers know they are buying quality, value and educational fun when they see our products
www.vividtoysandgames.co.uk Tel: 01483 449944 KIDS ACTION/ CRIMETRUEPARTY FAMILY Something new for all the family! OnAWshelves’22 Supported with TV, VOD, PR, Digital and Social Media © 2022. Made under license from Casefile.
Kayes is proud to work very closely with its branded partners enabling the independent retailer access to leading brands in small quantities and competitive prices giving them every opportunity in the high street marketplace.Kayeshasinvested in its new showroom layout and has made it available for customers to visit, by appointment and see the full range of products on offer in a friendly and warm environment. All the products can be viewed first hand enabling customers own selections to be made with ease of choice. Kayes continues to endeavour to offer the retailer access to the best leading brands and has this year added Orchard Toys to its ever-expanding portfolio. Orchard’s very high reputation in the toy industry together with Kayes established connections and service levels make this Lisciani has developed a fantastic portfolio of games and puzzles based on the growing body of research around how fun activities and games can be used to support learning. Games have been shown to motivate students to learn and pay attention, whilst also helping to refine a whole host of cognitive and non-cognitive skills. In fact, our company has a unique background: it was born as a publishing house operating in pedagogy and teaching. Giuseppe Lisciani, a historic founder of the company, was an international university researcher and helped to affirm pedagogy as a science. Popular collections include Kids Love Monsters and the new Montessori Baby line. Kids Love Monsters offers children a fun, educational range based on C. G. Jung’s atavistic theory. The funny little monsters in this collection are designed to accompany children in their development. The Giocare Educare Montessori Baby is a new line of games based on Maria Montessori’s experience-based learning approach, adapted for little ones. These games are designed to teach children in an effective and fun way, through the use of the senses. We have responded to opportunities in the market is with our Disney Eco Puzzles. With increased demand for ecoconscious toys and games, they offer families all the joy of beloved Disney characters, in an environmentally friendly format that can be enjoyed for generations to come. Lisciani has been designing, developing and manufacturing educational toys and games for the last 30 years. It’s also a Research Centre for childhood learning strategies. It is this that gives us such a unique perspective and an approach that is founded on real pedagogical knowledge. We offer a one-stop-shop for games and puzzles which support learning in the most fun way possible, with a range that is as popular with consumers as it is with retailers and suppliers, offering products that are one-of-a-kind and cannot be bought from elsewhere. The portfolio also offers an exceptional quality/price ratio.
Lisciani has a strong social presence and a wide array of display options and materials to support its online and brick-and-mortar customers. For more information, please be sure to get in touch with our sales team. Parents continue to work towards striking a balance between digital and non-digital activity in the home. Learning with Smart Games is fun, and playing our games encourages players of all ages to develop a number of key skills as they pick up the tactile puzzle pieces and turn the page of their booklet, ready to take on the next challenge. With sustainability at the forefront of our minds, all our games have been designed with longevity in mind. Last year, we launched our first 100% recyclable collection of sustainably made games; Go Genius. Now including six titles with more to come in 2023, Go Genius ticks all the boxes as it takes players on an educational trip of a lifetime whilst making learning fun. With the encouragement to pass on our games to other family members and friends, we provide a replacement part service for every game part to ensure the play never stops. From a minimum of 48 multi-level challenges to our renowned IQ collection including 120 challenges, we offer great value for money in each of our games. Predominantly designed as single-player games, players as young as two years old all the way up to grown-ups will love taking on each challenge. With a fast-growing collection of award-winning games ranging from pocket-size to XXL, there is a price point suitable for every puzzle game lover. Mindfulness is so important and being able to play Smart Games anywhere, anytime is the perfect treat for As consumer spend continues to tighten, we are always happy to work with our retail partners to provide them with a Smart collection that is value for money. We love to show off our games and for anyone that wants us to come and show their customers our products we have a full demonstration programme planned for this year. Simply contact us and we will arrange a day of entertainment and challenge for all the family. We also provide free demonstration samples and access to a range of point-of-sale material and online assets. We just want everyone to be Smart.
Kayes tries to stock a range of popular household games as well as the specialist variety. Snakes and Ladders, Draughts, Chess and Ludo are just a few of the evergreen family favourites popular with customers. Along with the vast selection of other core games and the branded selection we stock, this makes up everything a toy store could want to complete a fantastic retail offering with a wide spectrum of games for customers to choose from.
Philip Kaye - Managing director, Kayes of Cardiff International sales manager, Lisciani
We at Kayes of Cardiff see the Games & Puzzle category as one of the fundamental sectors within the toy industry. It forms the basis of any retailer’s stock and is essential to Kayes in providing a one stop shop offering to the independent retailer looking for a range of branded and popular quality toys. We try to ensure most lines are always in stock subject to manufacturing and supply chain constraints. This enables the retailer to purchase a wide selection and fulfil the needs of their customers’ demands without committing to large volumes of stock . All the new releases of games and puzzles for the autumn/winter season are available to put on shelf during September, providing the opportunity for early selection and purchase.
Touching Base
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Karen Clarke - Brand director, Smart Toys and Games
We’re really excited about puzzles at the moment. We have several in-house designed prints that we’ve used to create whole product ranges, and we realised that they not only look great on items like bags and bottles but also make really enjoyable puzzles. With options including Garden Birds, World Map and Periodic Table, there is something for everyone. And, even better, our retailers can pick up matching gifts and accessories to go with them. We’ve created some traditional format 1,000-piece puzzles, but we’ve also introduced a new format. Our 300-piece puzzles are packed in a cube shaped box for added interest and stand alone as a piece of home decor in their own right. Such has been the success of our puzzles so far this year that for autumn/winter 22 we’re adding our first puzzle designed specifically for that purpose, rather than just inspired by existing designs. As well as our more grown-up puzzles, we also have loads of engaging options for kids. Earlier this year we introduced a collection of mini matchbox puzzles in some of our most popular children’s ranges, which will make excellent stocking fillers this Christmas.
Hedley Barnes - Senior vice president International, Spin Master Toys
Our team of designers also uses Rex London’s original prints to take simple games and turn them into something bright and fun, yet still affordable and accessible. We’re proudly ‘un-digital’ and are inspired by nostalgia when thinking about what to add to our collection: our traditional playground games Hopscotch and Jacks are great examples of this. We also like to add an educational element wherever we can. Our newest memory games, Ocean and Nature Trail, not only each contain 20 beautifully illustrated cards but also the names of all the animals. We’ve even included the Latin names too, if older siblings or adults feel like an added challenge. We’re continuing to support our retail partners by providing the high level of service they have come to expect from Rex London, developing new products, and, most importantly, keeping our best-sellers in stock. Given the ongoing disruption to supply chains, we’ve been investing in keeping much more stock available from our London warehouse so it’s ready to go whenever our customers want it.
At John Adams we know the games market inside out. We have many years of experience of launching successful products. We know what works (and what doesn’t), so retailers can rely on us for the best concepts that have wide consumer appeal.
Scott Clarke - Sales and Operations director, Rex London
As always, we continue to support all our key brands and games with heavyweight media, digital, social and PR campaigns. This year is no exception. We have robust marketing plans in place throughout Q4, so our retail partners can be reassured that we’re behind them all the way, driving awareness and sales throughout the allimportant run-up to Christmas.
As one of the largest games companies in the world, Spin Master continuously delivers family time moments, friendly competition, and brain-bending challenges through gameplay. Our portfolio targets board game enthusiasts of all ages, from children to adults and families, providing fun, challenging and collective experiences. Known for our innovation, we are continuously reimagining experiences and introducing innovation across our wide-ranging library of owned and licensed titles, adult and children’s puzzles, and We are focused on bringing our innovative products to life for consumers as we navigate them to shelf, educating them on the key features and inspiring them to add our titles to their collections. With careful consideration and feedback from our retail partners, we’ve developed comprehensive marketing plans to get our games into the hands of our target audiences. This kicked off with two family festival partnerships this summer as well as a six-week Welcome Break Services campaign that brought our games to selected motorway service stations. Moving into the final quarter, we’ve actioned a robust campaign, hitting all touchpoints across Sink N’ Sand, Hedbanz, Beat The Parents and Perplexus.
Despite the games market being relatively flat in terms of NPD data, at John Adams we’re bucking the trend and growing our business year on year. This is thanks to our strong portfolio of products that really offers something for everyone. Our everpopular children’s action games, such as Windy Knickers and Gassy Gus, continue to perform well, whilst heritage brands such as Rummikub are going from strength to strength. During tough economic times, we see consumers turning to brands that they know and trust, and that provide a sense of nostalgia, so games like Ghost Castle and Othello are also proving popular this year.
Touching Base
Whether it’s fun and frantic like Soggy Moggy and Monster Mash, or something that brings the whole family together like 60 Seconds and Split Second, all our games are carefully developed within our UK headquarters, ensuring high quality whilst also hitting key price points and offering value for money.
Lynette Leet - Marketing manager, John Adams Leisure
Following the pandemic’s effect that prompted the resurgence of classic games, consumers are now shifting to new game innovation. Added challenges, fresh play patterns and interesting innovation will dominate. Spin Master continues to keep families engaged with new features added to key core titles like Hedbanz and Beat the Parents. We’ll also merge an exciting adventure themed board game with our iconic and popular Kinetic Sand in the new Sink N’ Sand game that offers mess free sensory fun. Additionally, this autumn, the classic Rubik’s Cube will see the introduction of Rubik's Phantom, featuring thermochromic technology that temporarily reveals the tile colour with touch.
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OFFICIAL BOARD GAME © Panini S.p.A. All rights reserved
Mark Jones - Sales director, University Games and Lagoon
Toy World 38
Our combined 700-strong University Games and Lagoon portfolios means we really do have a game and puzzle for everyone in the family. We offer high quality products with great games play and, critically, we are offering competitive margins to our retail partners. We cover all ages and markets including a preschool range for the youngest of players and a wide range of titles for children that includes a host of popular licences. Our family portfolio is bursting with triviabased games, murder mystery, strategy-based and adult games alongside the iconic Subbuteo and a huge 3D Puzzle and Model Kit series featuring some of the most iconic licences of the screen. For retailers looking to stock this category we really are a one stop shop for quality games and puzzles. We are supporting many of our brands with a fully integrated marketing campaign this year including TV advertising for Subbuteo and Smart Ass along with a complete digital campaign for lines such as Judge Your Friends, Perudo, Who’s In The Bag, Bigger Is Better, Murder Mystery Case Files, Quicksand and 5 Star Review to name just a few. Our full-time sales team are on hand to offer advice and support for all our retail partners and, as usual, we will be offering excellent stock availability, low minimum orders, reasonable pack sizes and high margins – all of which will go a long way to guaranteeing a successful year for our customers.
Touching Base Games and puzzles is a staple category in the toy sector but it is important to keep the range fresh and on point. One trend that has taken the world by storm this year is online word guessing games. At University Games we are all about offering entertaining and inclusive games that bring family and friends together, so this month we are launching 5-Letter Wordlet, a new confounding word strategy board game. Wordlet is a popular online single player trend, and we are bringing it into the home to be played in competition with family and friends. Another focus this year is football. The Lionesses have made the country exceptionally proud, winning the Euro 2022 this summer, and hopefully setting the tempo for England’s journey in the FIFA World Cup later in the year. Our ever-popular Subbuteo table football range includes both the Official England and Official Lionesses main games, which are both certain to be on the top of many Christmas lists. To help support this, our multi layered, heavy-weight media campaign for Subbuteo, that will run throughout Q4, will provide high levels of consumer awareness for the range. Iconic licences, coupled with great games play or build ability is a winning combination that consumers love and retailers can capitalise on, especially leading into the festive period. Star Wars, Disney, Harry Potter and Marvel Avengers always provide great opportunities for retailers, and we are seeing this with the success of our new 3D Model Kits and 3D Puzzles which feature some of the most iconic characters, spacecraft and buildings from renowned blockbusters.
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The Hape Human Body Puzzle is an educational puzzle created to teach children how the body works. Aimed at children aged four and over, this 60-piece puzzle measures 100cm x 50cm and comes with 10 additional wooden parts, including the heart and lungs. It also comes with a large full colour poster showing fun facts and stows away inside an included carry case. Toynamics’ portfolio also includes Beleduc, a range of educational puzzles and games for younger children from one years plus. Designed with the support of teachers, Beleduc products enable children to learn through play. The Cognito and Nawito Puzzles help encourage expansion of vocabulary, recognition of differences, problem solving and an understanding of the world. Nawito - Fruits teaches children the growth process of fruit by matching together the plant with a picture of a fully grown fruit. Each puzzle piece is designed to only fit with the correct corresponding piece, enabling children to check their answers and encouraging
Toynamics UK & Ireland offers a wide choice of Hape puzzles in a variety of sizes, shapes and difficulty levels for children from the age of just two. All are designed to encourage age-appropriate critical thinking, hand/eye coordination and dexterity.
Toynamics offers full marketing support, including shop-in shop solutions, across its entire range.
Glow in the Dark is a collection of 1.5-metre-long puzzles aimed at children aged six and over, available in a choice of themes: Dinosaurs, Magic Forest and Under the Sea. In daylight, the puzzles are full of colour, while each reveals a new image in the dark. The dinosaurs turn into the skeletons of extinct creatures, the Magic Forest turns into a beautiful night full of fireflies dancing in the moonlight, and Under the Sea shows how sea creatures glow in the dark depths of the water. Each puzzle extends the play into learning with supporting fun fact cards.
Rex London offers an extensive range of puzzles of various sizes and designs which make great gifts and treats for kids aged three and over as well as adult jigsaw fans. Perfect for customers looking for puzzles for their youngest children, Rex London’s Wild Wonders Long Puzzle comes in a card box, contains 30 colourful pieces depicting the best-selling Wild Wonders print, and includes a colour image sheet. This puzzle supports the development of memory skills as well as the ability to plan, test and execute ideas. It can also be used as a tool to teach children about animals and colours. The complete puzzle measures 100cm x 22cm and, if put in a frame, will become a new and unusual element of the house décor. Rex London’s best-selling 500-piece Coral Reef Puzzle is a great choice for those seeking a treat for older children. The complex design, which was the original inspiration for Rex London’s iconic Sharks collection, portrays various coral reef creatures and appeals to ocean enthusiasts in addition to anyone who simply enjoys colourful prints. The puzzle comes with a coral reef information sheet and is just over a metre long when completed. An ideal family-friendly activity, the Coral Reef Puzzle can also be used to create impactful home decor.
Rex London’s 1,000-piece puzzles are a fitting new addition to the games drawer for teenagers or adults. The most popular and recent product in this category is the Periodic Table 1,000-piece puzzle. This is an ideal gift for chemistry and science fans and an easy and pleasant way for students to familiarise themselves with all the elements and groups of the Periodic Table. The puzzle comes with a colour sheet to help guide anyone needing a little extra assistance in completing the scene. Other designs in the 1,000-piece puzzles range include World Map, Garden Birds and Wild Flowers, perfect for learning about geography, animals and plants. In addition to the above product ranges, shoppers can also choose from a range of compact puzzles which easily fit into stockings or party bags. Rex London offers matchbox puzzles in four different popular collections: Fairies in the Garden, Sharks, Prehistoric Land, and Top Banana. As some of Rex London’s signature designs, these puzzles are complemented by a variety of other products available in the same prints. Consumers can therefore mix & match products to create themed sets of gifts for family and friends. All matchbox puzzles measure 17cm x 12cm when completed and come in a space-saving card box. More information about all puzzle games and other items can be found on Rex London’s official website. A trade product catalogue is available for free online or as a downloadable PDF.
Toynamics UK & Ireland 01164 785 230 | www.toynamics.com | sales@toynamics.co.uk
Feature Games & Puzzles
Rex London 020 8746 1700 | info@rexlondon.comwww.rexlondontrade.com
01616 339 800 | www.character-online.com | sales@charactergroup.plc.uk
New game highlights for the coming season include the new experience board game EscapeRun Alcatraz 2034 from Gamestorm Studio. Players are welcomed to Alcatraz as part of a group invited to see the first state-of-the-art, sentinel-based prison in the world - but something goes wrong, and they become the prisoners. Players must then guide their prisoner-characters around the game board and help them find the right equipment for an escape attempt, whilst dodging sentinel robots with no qualms about shooting them. Players collect cards to help them to escape, and can join forces with other prisoners to try and get to freedom. The question is whether they will get out in time. EscapeRun Alcatraz won a Hero Toy award at London Toy Fair and will be a key focus of Tactic’s digital marketing campaigns in the run up to Christmas.Tactic’sLet’s Learn series for younger children continues to grow and has been receiving positive feedback from parents via a PR gifting programme. The educational value and ease of play have both been commended. New for this autumn is the farm inspired Let’s Learn Counting Floor Puzzle and colourful matching game, Let’s Learn Carousel, which has a spinning board and two levels of difficulty.
Toy World 42 Games & Puzzles Tactic Games 07970 779842 | www.tactic.net | www.gamestormstudio.com | phil@tactic.net
Pre-schoolers will also be entertained by My First Dice Game: Race in the Forest which sees kids help forest animals in a race to see who can get to their home nest first. Treasure of Monkey Island lets players battle a pirate captain and steal as many coins as they can in an exciting desert island game of chase. Perfect for domino lovers and available now, Metro Domino is a classic with a new twist. Players can choose from London and New York inspired Metro sets. and play with double-9 dominoes to open new stations as they plot their way to victory. For those looking for party game inspiration for the festive season, Crazy Maze tasks players to doodle their way through the maze blindfolded, but if the pen touches a truth or dare, they have to perform a hilarious task. Other adult games for family play at Christmas include the gripping Crime Scene detective experience collection and the MasterChef after-dinner games range. Tactic will also be supporting its popular Of The World trivia series which now boasts Flags, Wonders, Animals and the most recently launched Heroes of the World. New mini format Of the World trivia games are ideal for stocking filler and Secret Santa ideas, with themes including Brands, Pop Culture and Architecture which are ideal for quick-fire quiz game play. To find out more and to request a catalogue, contact UK sales manager Phil O’nion on the email above.
Character Options
Tactic has been bringing families together to share board game experiences since 1967. With classics such as Alias and Flags of the World proving just as popular today as when they first launched, the Tactic catalogue is bursting with fun and challenging games for players of all ages. Each one has been designed to be even more ecological and sustainable than ever before and manufactured at the Tactic factory in Pori, Finland.
All in good taste, Mukbang: The Game is inspired by the social eating craze, wherein individuals – known as Mukbangers – binge eat copious amounts of food whilst interacting with their audience. Fun for all the family, the aim of this rapid memory and reaction-based game is to match the food cards to the sounds of Mukbang. Players take turns to press the randomiser to reveal which Mukbang sound to find, then race to be the first to locate the matching plate card. The first person to match seven sounds wins the game. If a player gets a ‘belch’ they miss a turn and the cards on the table get shuffled. The new linguistic challenge Word Master takes inspiration from proven, addictive family games and the web-based word game Wordle. Bringing word games to the tabletop in a fun, family-friendly way, Word Master requires a ‘host’ to pick a card from the deck, which will determine the category of their word. Using the alphabet tiles, the other players must then race against each other to guess the host’s secret five-letter word. Players take it in turns to host the round and mark the guesses as they get closer to discovering who will be the Word Master at the end of the game. Other fun games include Projex. This arcade game lets players test their speed and skill as they blast moving targets projected onto any light-coloured wall, all from the comfort of their own home and without the need for TV screens or sensors.
James Galt & Co. Ltd. Sovereign House • Stockport Road • Cheadle • Cheshire • SK8 2EA Tel: 0161 428 9111 • eFax: 0161 601 0208 • www.galttoys.com • Jumbodiset Group Make pla y time rewarding piece by piece with fun pu z zles from Galt
Winning Moves 01706 558539 | www.winningmoves.co.uk
A hero from this year’s line-up is World Football Stars Monopoly. Sure to be on any footie fan’s Christmas wish list, this game is perfect accompaniment to watching England navigate their way to another international final. The game also includes a Top Trumps card taken from the existing World Football Stars Top Trumps to promote cross-selling. In addition, the Monopoly set also includes eight bespoke tokens: a cap, goal, trophy, burger, drinks cup, football, whistle and football boot.
The latest signing to the team is the World Football Stars Guess Who. Sitting alongside other editions such as Animal Crossing, Super Mario, Marvel and Batman, the World Football Stars Guess Who features the world’s top footballing talents and is built upon the original gameplay. Players must ask a series of questions to determine who their opponent’s chosen character is. The game includes stars such as Harry Kane, Mohamed Salah, Kevin De Bruyne and Karim Benzema.
Funko Games 020 3376 3223 | NewTradeEnquiries.EMEA@funko.comwww.funko.com
Inspired by the beloved film from Universal Pictures and Amblin Entertainment, the family-friendly strategy game E.T. The Extra- Terrestrial: Light Years From Home is a cooperative board game that drops players right into the iconic BMX chase scene from the movie. The game, which is suitable for 2-4 players aged 10 and above, sees players race round the neighbourhood using ramps and shortcuts to avoid the federal agents bent on trying to capture the little alien.Featuring beloved characters and a collectible Pop! Figure, Funko’s fast-paced, light card games can be combined to add more power for the whole family to enjoy. The new edition, Marvel Something Wild! Spider-Man, features a collectible Spider-Man Pop! Mover as well as favourite characters from the Spider-Man universe. Power Cards add fun new twists to the classic card gameplay, which is perfect for 2-4 players aged six and above.
The range also included an intricate and detailed 1,000-piece puzzle depicting dozens of favourite footballers from across the eras, including Harry Kane, Gary Lineker, Pelé, Maradona, Frank Lampard, Wayne Rooney and Marta. This highquality jigsaw puzzle is made to last and would look great hanging on a wall once completed.Continuing the Top Trumps brand is the World Football Stars Top Trumps Match, where players must place five characters in a row vertically, horizontally or diagonally. This open-and-close, quick gameplay is ideal for travelling and quick pick-me-ups. It tests strategy, dexterity and cunning, but there’s a twist: the losing player can steal the round by flipping over the Top Trumps card. If they match, the point is theirs.
The Lionesses have just brought football home after winning the Women’s Euros 2022; it’s now over to the men to achieve the same feat at this year’s Qatar World Cup. To celebrate the event, and football mania in general, Winning Moves has overhauled its World Football Stars range to now include the latest and greatest from the world of football, with both men and women featuring in the new 1,000-piece puzzle and Top Trumps Quiz.
The party-strategy game Ted Lasso brings the hilarious and heart-warming energy of the acclaimed TV show to the tabletop for up to six players aged 10 and over. Players work together to guide Coach Lasso and Coach Beard in their efforts to inspire and delight the footballers, friends and fans of the AFC Richmond football team. With the team facing relegation, players need to combine group coordination and individual clever plays to relieve the troubles of their favourite characters from the show. At the end of the day, it's not about winning or losing, but about bringing the power of positivity to those you love. The game features 12 Richmond AFC characters, two premium coach movers, a football-shaped die and special pink tile.
Disney Mickey’s Christmas Carol Game focuses on simple gameplay and collaboration. Players from the age of four work together to complete their story tableau – Christmas Past, Present and Future – from the timeless classic tale. The puzzle tableaus depict iconic moments from the story, which players must complete in order before Scrooge wakes up on Christmas morning. The game includes a wooden Scrooge mover to track game progress and six beautifully illustrated scenes inspired by the Disney classic.
Toy World Games & Puzzles
The range is currently led by the ever-popular World Football Stars Top Trumps Specials. The pack of 30 players comes in a metallic blue case with silver foiling on the logo. Both elements make the product stand out on shelf and appeal strongly to customers.Nextonthe list is the World Football Stars Top Trumps Quiz, which includes 500 questions on the likes of Lucy Bronze, Jill Scott, Cristiano Ronaldo, Erling Haaland and many more. The game comes in a neat, soft-edged plastic case with easy to open and close doors, making it the perfect on-the-go game. Players can test each other’s knowledge by asking up to five questions on each card. The twist in gameplay is winning all an opponent’s cards, shuffling them and answering the questions again from the previous round. This tests knowledge, memory and patience.
Funko Games is home to a growing collection of more than 200 tabletop games across four categories: Kids & Pre-School; Family & Strategy; Partegy (partystrategy) and Collectible/Expandable. With something for every age, Funko Games are fast becoming a must-have staple for all good games retailers. This season, the brand is introducing five fantastic new titles to the UK. Ideal for younger kids and pre-schoolers aged three and over, CoComelon Picture Pairing is an enhanced take on classic memory/matching card games. CoComelon Picture Pairing has a simpler set-up and fewer pieces than other games, meaning even less frustration for parents and pre-schoolers who want to play together. There’s a fun twist too, as Scramble cards see the 2-4 players try to find their favourite CoComelon characters.
G9510 ChristmasClaireAdventAdventureCalendarMcElfatrick (24 x mini puzzles, ribbon & puzzle glue inside) SugarG9509& Spice Bauble Kate (200Collinspiece puzzle) WinterG2022 Wonderland Tony (1000Ryanpiece puzzle) includes a unique numbered certificate limited edition 20 th G3608 Home ForJosieChristmasShenzoy (500 piece puzzle)
The quickest player to guess correctly wins the card, so they need to think fast and shout out the answer before anyone else. Brain Ache contains hundreds of picture puzzles that will both baffle and boggle theForbrain.aclassic party game, Snippets challenges players to recall funny or famous song lyrics, adverts and quotes. Players will need to reach into the corners of their mind to complete the tantalising tag they’ve been given. From movies, TV and adverts to comedy and music to famous figures, there’s a Snippet for every taste and interest.
Spot The Intro is a Cheatwell classic. The latest incarnation makes use of players’ preferred music streaming providers as it challenges them to name tip-of the-tongue tunes from just a snippet of a song. Hugely entertaining, Spot The Intro features hits from the 60s to the 2010s and much, much more. | www.gibsonsgames.co.uk sales@gibsonsgames.co.uk
Toy World 46 Games & Puzzles Cheatwell 02392 524098 | www.cheatwell.com | sales@cheatwell.com
Visiting Santa will evoke fond childhood memories, when Christmas was the most magical time of the year. This 1,000-piece puzzle by artist Steve Crisp shows children have gathered around Santa and his elves for a festive photo in the grotto.
Cheatwell has launched more than 15 new products this year, all of which will give customers’ Christmas games offerings a lift. Tension is the company’s top brand and a perennial performer. This year sees this classic game joined by the Junior Edition as well as the Games 2 Go Travel pack, meaning there’s now a Tension to suit every age and interest. Players after a challenge can sharpen their pencils and prepare to test their powers of deduction in the solve-it-yourself, who-did-it game of Sleuth. A deadly crime has been committed during a rollercoaster ride aboard the Oriental Express, and only the players can solve it. Each assumes the role of a ‘famous’ detective - from Sheerluck Homes to Missing Marbles - as they move from carriage to carriage solving clues and catching the criminal. Cheatwell favours games that are simple to play straight out of the box, and Brain Ache is no exception. Players race to identify familiar catchphrases or words represented by perplexing pictures.
Those who enjoy a cerebral workout will appreciate two of Cheatwell’s great new titles. Zensu is a new strategy game that’s simple to learn but harder to master. Each player’s aim is to cross their opponent’s border before they cross the player’s, but with pieces moving in four directions, everyone must keep their wits about them. Zensu can be played many times but is never the same game twice. Psychobabble is an analytical deduction game. Players enter into a group discussion about their dreams and nightmares. Most will know what happened in last night’s shared vision, but one is genuinely insane - and does not know it. It’s up to the Psychoanalyst to make sense of their statements in this genuinely engrossing game of suspicion, accusations and self-doubt.
With only 5,000 copies produced, the 500-piece puzzle Home For Christmas is a must for the festive season. London-based illustrator Josie Shenoy created this stunning Christmas puzzle. The metallic gold foiling on both the box and the puzzle adds extra sparkle to the puzzling experience.
Top It is an edge-of-your-seat family game. Players race to place their cones on letter discs while calling out examples of teasing topics. But beware: any other player can top their cone with another answer and, since only the last cone counts, they then bag all the points. Top It is the perfect Christmas board game.
The final additions to Gibsons’ newest collection are Gothic Novels and Charles Dickens. Part of the Gibsons Book Club series, each 1,000-piece puzzle celebrates the timeless literature and treasured stories which have enthralled minds, captured imaginations and earned their place on ‘must read’ lists for years. From sinister London back streets to romantic strolls around country estates and dystopian family sagas, each Book Club jigsaw puzzle narrates the highs and lows of each story via a beautifully illustrated montage.
Packaged in a striking box with gold foiling, this calendar is a perfect gift for any puzzle fan. Puzzle glue and ribbon is included inside the box, which means that once the jigsaw is complete, puzzlers can craft their very own Christmas decorations. The puzzles come in six different shapes, making every puzzle a mini challenge.
Gibsons 020 8661 8866
Gibsons, the 103-year-old jigsaw puzzle and board game company, has launched a raft of new puzzles for the festive season. To celebrate 20 years of its Limited Edition series, the company has launched an extra-special Christmas Limited Edition for 2022: Winter Wonderland. The 1,000-piece puzzle depicts a sparkling shop window and dazzling market stalls bustling with visitors. Winter Wonderland is illustrated by Tony Ryan and packaged in a shiny, eco-foiled gold box. Inside is a special, serial-numbered certificate to make it the ultimate collectors’ item. For the fifth year running, Gibsons’ Advent Calendar is back and better than before. Unlike previous years, Christmas Adventure contains 24 mini puzzles instead of 22, offering a puzzle surprise every single day on the run-up to Christmas.
Back by popular demand is the famous jigsaw puzzle in a bauble. Inside this gorgeous gift is a 200-piece Sugar and Spice puzzle featuring gingerbread treats, Christmas tree decorations and lots of presents. The innovative, bauble-shaped packaging features luxury silver foiling, making it the perfect addition to any tinselladen Christmas tree. This joyful puzzle is an ultimate Christmas gift that is bound to spread some festive cheer.
Compatible with LINK SYSTEM figures. ©EPOCH 7 TRICKY OBSTACLES EMAIL: SALES@EPOCHMAKINGTOYS.COM • PHONE: 0208 049 1377 @EPOCHGAMES_UK NEWNEWFOR2022FOR2022
In Sounds Fishy, players don’t need to know the correct answer, they just need to catch the fake answers invented by the other players whilst trying to avoid the real one. To start, each player is handed a fish. All fish are red herrings apart from one - the true blue kipper. Each player takes it in turns to be the guesser. The guesser holds up a question card and reads it aloud, and each red herring has to make up a fake answer. Only the true blue kipper can give the correct answer. The guesser picks up points by eliminating the fake answers that have been invented by the other players, however, if they accidentally choose the correct answer then the guesser loses all their points, and their turn is over. Then, the next round begins with a new player as the guesser. In Shoot For The Stars the aim of the game is to answer questions by guessing as high as possible without going over. To begin, a player reads the first question aloud, for example: “What is the record for the number of hot dogs eaten in ten minutes?” The first player takes a guess and becomes the captain of the rocket ship - it doesn’t have to be spot on, they just need to make sure they don’t guess too high. The next player has a few options. They can guess a higher number (and become the new captain), they can stay in the crew if they agree with the captain, or they can abandon ship if they think the captain’s answer is too high. If they abandon ship, they’re out for the rest of the round. This continues until no-one wants to guess higher. The correct answer is then revealed (it was 76 hot dogs). If players make the right call, they’ll blast off with the points. If they get it wrong, they’ll go up in smoke. Both games can be enjoyed in small or large groups, ideal to play at Christmas. Toy World 48
The Official Panini Adrenalyn XL game can be expanded with any Panini Adrenalyn XL Football Collection. Launching this autumn/winter 2022 and supported by an extensive marketing campaign, this is a must-have for all football fans this Christmas.
Games & Puzzles Click Distribution UK 0330 123 2559 | click@clickdistributionuk.comwww.clickdistribution.co.uk
Steamforged’s popular, award-winning Bardsung: Legend of the Ancient Forge is a cooperative, role play, tabletop game. The big box dungeon crawler is packed with deep gameplay, immersive narrative and includes more than 60 mini figures (including the massive demon). The player’s journey begins with a single tile and from there, the players build a branching, labyrinthine dungeon of dangerous enemies, wandering monsters, challenging puzzles and valuable treasure. The decisions players make will shape the course of the campaign and evolve the Horizongame.ZeroDawn: The Board Game is a semicooperative board game for one to five players. Players must work alongside their hunting party to track and defeat machines in search of glory. In the course of the game, they must discover and trade resources for their equipment to be upgraded, as well as levelling up their skills to prepare for the final hunt.
Steamforged Games www.steamforgedgames.com | 07960 653 922
Sounds Fishy and Shoot For The Stars are two of the most recent releases from Big Potato Games. Sounds Fishy is a fast-thinking, truth and lies question game, and Shoot For The Stars is a quiz game about guessing as high as you dare.
Big Potato Games trade@bigpotato.co.uk | 020 3620 9495 | www.bigpotato.com
Click Distribution UK has teamed up with Panini to produce the first and Official Adrenalyn XL Board Game. Players can bring their family and friends together to build the ultimate team and find out if they’ve got what it takes to be the Panini Adrenalyn XL champion. Football enthusiasts create their players, form their team, earn Panini Bucks and work their away around the board while avoiding injuries, red cards and fines, as well as opponents out to steal their star players.
The Super Mario Fire Mario Stadium is perfect for showing off shooting skills. Just like the familiar pinball game, players battle it out as Fire Mario or Fire Luigi against their opponent, shooting the fireball discs, hitting the targets, and thwarting their enemies’ efforts in order to be the first to topple Bowser from his tower. Link System compatible, Epoch’s Super Mario Games portfolio benefits from both above and below the line marketing support including PR, influencer partnerships, a TVC featuring the Adventure Game DX airing in September and the upcoming launch of the Epoch Games social media channels. In addition, there are plans for engaging POS displays in stores this
As the name suggests, this game challenges players to race through the seasons and be the first to arrive at the North Pole. They’ll face a variety of pitfalls along the way, while landing on the Boost squares will speed up their progress and improve their changes of getting to the end first.
The North Pole Race is an exciting and fun board game for the whole family, which invites kids, adults and everyone in between to either play on their own against everyone else, or form teams and work collaboratively with other
The latest offering in the range is the Super Mario Adventure Game DX. This exciting action game takes players on an adventure to Bowser’s Castle. They must use their skills with the three buttons and two revolving wheels to tackle the seven tricky obstacles, jumping walls and sliding down drainpipes in true Mario fashion while avoiding well-known foes such as Hammer Bro and Kamek, to get the playing marble in the goal. This game is ready to play with no batteries needed and is Link System compatible. Super Mario Blow Up! Shaky Tower is a game that puts nerves and skills to the test. Players must steadily place their favourite Mario figure on the tower - but if the tower shakes too much, the ball will drop and send all the characters flying. Suitable for two or more players, this game includes seven Super Mario Link System figures. Inspired by the world of Classic Mario Kart, Super Mario fans old and new will love racing their friends around the action-packed Mario Kart Racing DX track. As they race, they’ll see who can overcome the winding road, the pop-up stairs, the treacherous seesaw bridge, the dirt boards, the tilting slope and the daunting hill climb. The fastest to Super Mario Piranha Plant Escape! is a thrilling board game with a twist. Players throw the dice to move their character and see how many times they need to press the button. The Piranha Plant can strike when they least expect it; players can only hope it gets their opponent and not them. Suitable for 2-4 players, Piranha Plant Escape! comes
Once they reach the end, players have 20 seconds to answer one of the Final Challenge questions. Get it right and they win The North Pole Race. Get it wrong and they return to the start of the Winter Season. The North Pole Race takes traditional board game play and turns it on its head. Rolling the dice doesn’t only dictate where players can move - it also decides whether they will be asked an easy or hard question at the end, thereby adding an element of unpredictability to the game. In addition, once a player reaches the end they don’t simply wait there until they (or another player) answer a question correctly and win the game. Being sent back to start Winter afresh if they get a question wrong keeps the
Games & Puzzles Epoch Making Toys 0208 049 1377 | www. sales@epochmakingtoys.comsupermario.epochtoys.com
The Brass Pig Company
Since its launch in 2020, Epoch Games’ Super Mario range has enjoyed considerable success with strong sales to date. The collection includes a total of seven fun and interactive games, each carefully designed to authentically replicate and bring the iconic world of Super Mario to life for fans age five and up. Featuring all the favourite characters from the franchise, players can perfect their balancing skills, topple their opponents and race their frenemies. In addition, the playing figures can be interchanged between games within the Link System for added play value and collectability.
TRIVIAoftheWORLD Tactic’s best-selling, fun, educational and sustainable collection of trivia games keeps on growing! More ‘Of The World’ themes also available in new compact QuizFILLERSTOCKINGformat!Games To find out more contact Tactic Games Phil O’nion +44 (0) 7970 779 842 phil@tactic.net Sabrina Hayhoe +44 (0) 7826 844 sabrina@tactic.net824 www.youtube.com/tacticboardgames
Learning puzzles such as the How Things Grow Puzzles, Fruit and Veg puzzles and Size Sorting Puzzles encourage word recognition and matching skills. They also allow for further discussion surrounding the characters, lessons and themes. Happy Chickens is a colour-matching game in which players must remove the wooden sticks from the hen house to find the chicks hiding within.
Memory Friends improves memory through tactile learning as players study the position of the animals on the 20 cards and recreate the scenes from memory. Both are crafted from durable, quality wood and thick board.
Flair 0208 643 0320 | www.flairplc.co.uk | sales@flairplc.co.uk
The Jonathan Eaton's Houses of Treasure series promises to challenge even the most intrepid boardgame players by taking an escape room's brainteasing puzzles and riddles and channeling them into games full of mystery and intrigue. Players can start the quest to discover Jonathan Eaton's business empire's inheritance with The Beginning: Ascalon's Fury, before continuing the journey with the thrilling Itzamna's Eye. The latter sees players visit the legendary temple of Itzamna, a powerful Mayan god, and reveal the entrance to the mysterious site by opening an ancient Mayan lock.
Comic Coding combines the fundamentals of coding with screen-free play. This fun board game introduces children to the basic concepts of coding and computer science, including algorithms and programming language. No prior coding knowledge is necessary as players race to complete their mission and win the game, which is compatible with Key Stage 1 of the National Curriculum. Both Wasgij and Jan van Haasteren launch new puzzles this month, which join the wide selection of new puzzles released throughout the year so far from brands including Falcon Contemporary and Falcon de Luxe. In September, Wasgij Original 41 – The Restore Store will be unveiled. This hilarious puzzle is full of surprises. Festive fun is offered by Wasgij Christmas 18 – Gingerbread Showstopper. This 2 x 1,000-piece puzzle set gives puzzlers a sneak peek at the Upper Snoddlington Gingerbread House Competition. This release also includes a free 1,000-piece box image puzzle. The Falcon de Luxe range is growing this autumn, with Remembrance Sunday, Snow Day and The Potter's Cottage joining the ranks. Falcon de Luxe has also released The Christmas Tree Farm 2 x 1,000-piece puzzle set. One joyous image transports puzzlers to a bustling Christmas tree farm while the other takes them inside the magic of Santa's Grotto.The latest release from Jan van Haasteren, the humorous Sand Sculptures promises plenty of laughs this month. Fan favourites including the notorious shark's fin, Saint Nicholas, The Hands, The Dentures and a self-portrait of Jan are all hidden in the image.
Toy World 52 Games & Puzzles Galt 01614 289 111 | www.galttoys.com
The very first Horrible Science game, Germ Attack! challenges players to beat germs in a ruthless race to the heart. This exciting game for 2-6 players is designed to teach children fun and foul facts about germs and the human body. Kids aged eight and up play as shrunken scientists or gruesome germs as they roll the dice to move along the blood cells, answering questions for bonus moves along the way. The first team to race through the body and reach the heart wins.
In the Antarctica Game, kids remember where the baby seals are placed and return them safely home. 3 Little Pigs brings the famous fairy tale to life as players from two years and up get to grips with this charming board game, which encourages storytelling, gameplay and teamwork.
Van Life, Plant Gang and the festive Christmas puzzle Leicester Square are the three latest releases from the Falcon Contemporary range. These 1,000-piece puzzles highlight the finest in modern artwork and designs, featuring carefully selected artists representing a wide range of styles. In addition, the range uses only 100% recycled cardboard, has been developed with smaller, more compact boxes and is free from plastic shrink wrap.
Puzzle progress can be kept safe and secure with Jumbo accessories. The Portapuzzle and Puzzle and Roll ranges provide tidy storage solutions that allow puzzlers to store and transport their favourite jigsaws.
The range launched this March with two cool licensed versions - Marvel Spider-Man and Marvel Avengers – plus a total of 48 tokens to collect, exchange and use to build a unique mini puzzle. Both games will benefit from TV support in autumn/winter.
Suitable for ages four and up, the Classic Galt range is new for 2022. This refreshed selection of retro Galt products with bold colours and stylish illustrations includes boardgame favourites such as Picture Dominoes, Remember Remember, Find It and Picture Lotto.
Get to the Peak is a new game in which players must help their two climbers scale a mountain and reach the peak before their opponent. Each player spins the roulette wheel and follows the direction that the pointer lands on by inserting one of their climber’s feet or hands into one of the holes on the mountainside. The risks players take while climbing are up to them: the more securely they climb, the safer they are - but their speed is reduced. Adding a fun twist to the gameplay, the climbers can be used to knock the opposing player’s figure off the mountain by taking possession of the same foot or hand hole from the other side of the verticalBattleboard.Cubes lets kids challenge their friends to a game of Rock, Paper, Scissors. To play, each battler first chooses their secret attack. Then it’s time for opponents to launch their battle cubes. The winning cube will capture the loser with unique, patented transformational technology.
Giant Floor Puzzles are the ideal introduction to jigsaws for kids aged three plus and come in themes including Farm, Dinosaurs and Nursery Rhymes. These 30-piece puzzles also feature eight templates in the shape of animals, planets and objects. Learning continues once the puzzle picture has been built: the Space, Counting Creatures and Alphabet Animals puzzles come with friezes to be displayed on a wall which reinforce each theme.
Dress Up Nelly is a first colour matching game. Designed to be played as a simple activity to introduce children aged 2-5 to colours, players have the option of shorter or longer games to suit different abilities. Dress Up Nelly features 30 bright and colourful, wipe clean chunky cards, perfect for little hands.
Highlights in Orchard Toys’ 2022 games and jigsaw launches include the Christmas Eve Box. New for this year’s festive season, this bumper 3-in-1 Christmas themed box set includes a festive lotto game, a 30-piece jigsaw and a 12-page activity book. The box is aimed at children aged 3-6 and is ideal for shoppers looking for advent, Christmas Eve or Christmas gifts.
Orchard Toys offers retailers a comprehensive in-store point of sale support package, from display banners and headers to shelf strips, product barcode booklets and merchandising. Additional in-store support can be discussed with Orchard Toys’ account managers. Retailers also have direct access to downloadable brand resources including product and lifestyle imagery, videos, gameplay instructions and activity sheets. For more information, contact the Orchard Toys team using the details given above. Independent retailers are advised to email distributor Kayes of Cardiff on orders@kayes.co.uk.
One For Fun welcomes new additions to its Muddle Puzzles range this year. Polygon means many sides and Muddle Puzzle’s Space Polygon puzzles have just that. Primarily made from paper and card, these infinite puzzles can be opened up, turned and twisted into various shapes, showing off different space scenes as kids move around the puzzle. The Polygon sits nicely alongside the new Muddle Puzzle Star. Starting off star shaped, this puzzle features different colours and patterns on each side for kids to discover as they open it up, twist and turn it, and move Complementingaround.the existing Muddle Puzzle range, an updated version of the classic puzzle fiddle toy is also launching this year. The puzzle has nine squares showing different colours and designs. Puzzlers enjoy shuffling and sorting these quickly, so the squares all show the same matching colours on each side. The fidget puzzle has been re-imagined to offer a new challenge while retaining its addictive play value. Available in rainbow and solid bright colours, kids can also choose from mini and double versions.
A 30-piece jigsaw for younger puzzlers aged three and over, Busy Builders features brightly coloured, chunky pieces. The design shows a busy construction site brimming with quirky characters and funny events, offering lots to discover and talk about. It also comes with a poster and a Learning Guide to encourage discussion.
The award-winning Time Shock is a frantic, wind-up, beat-the-clock game that sees players try to insert all the shaped plastic pieces into the correct slots before the timer expires and throws them into the air. A tray in the side houses the pieces and scoring pegs, making this an ideal travel game.
One For Fun 0141 613 2525 | sales@oneforfun.com
The Snappy Shark Game is a fun family game which centres on a chomping shark. Players fill the shark's mouth with the colourful fish and then take turns to draw cards. Every time the shark is touched there is a risk that its jaw will slam shut and it will charge at the player. Shark Attack is a similar game, in which players risk touching the shark’s teeth.
One For Fun’s portfolio also includes classic games, from marbles, Snakes & Ladders and Chess to Draughts, Dominoes and everything in-between.
Toy World 54 Games & Puzzles Orchard Toys 01953 859 539 | www.orchardtoys.com | sales@orchardtoys.com
Snowman Snap is a Christmas game of snap in which players match the snow people. This festive version of the classic card game is great fun for all the family.
As part of the Orchard Toys extensive mini games collection, it’s also a compact, travel size game. Available at a great price point, Snowman Snap is a perfect stocking filler for kids aged 3-6 years. Headlining Orchard Toys’ 2022 launches, Goose on the Loose is a board game for players aged four and up and is already proving to be a firm family favourite. This colour matching game sees players help the farmers round up the escaped geese. Players shout ‘honk’ when collecting their 3D geese as they move around the board, but if they lose a goose they must shout ‘goose on the loose!’.
At the Museum is a beautifully illustrated 150-piece jigsaw featuring a variety of fascinating museum exhibits, from the Romans, Vikings and dinosaurs to space and human biology. Puzzlers will enjoy the high level of detail: there’s lots to observe and discuss. The puzzle also comes with a 16-page fact book so children aged five years and up can discover and learn even more, plus a giant wall poster.
Orchard Toys has been creating fun, educational games and puzzles for children for the past 50 years. ‘Learning Made Fun’ is at the heart of everything Orchard Toys does, with the company ensuring its games and jigsaws strike the perfect balance between education and fun. This creates a winning formula with parents as well as a tangible sales opportunity for retailers.
• Packaging resizing • Short supply chain: opportunityan for the environment• FSC Certification • Eco-friendly developementproduct • Use of materialssustainable OUR SUSTAINABLE MADE IN ITALY: INTERNATIONALMr.liscianigiochi.comCRISTIANOTONELLISALES Ph +39 cristianotonelli@liscianigiochi.it3397706918Worldwide Education Lisciani is a Worldwide Educational Company, which has been designing, developing and manufacturing educational toys - that can improve the lives of children and their families - for the last 30 years. The company has a background that is unique in the European industry: it was founded as a publishing house in the field of pedagogy and education. Lisciani’s search for innovative teaching methods has never stopped and today it is still the true driving force of every game. To learn more about Lisciani read the company profile: further AWARDS: B a by a n d P re s c h o o l U K M U M S T V 2 0 2 2 E le c t ro n i c Ga m e s TOY S AWA R D S 2 0 2 0 S c i e n t i f i c Ga m e s TOY S AWA R D S 2 0 2 0 B e s t L i c e n s e e B I N G 2 01 9 B e s t L i c e n s e e BA R B I E 2 01 8 LISCIANI: THE History of the ITALIAN EDUCATIONAL GAME 2016 - 2020: winner of toys awards in the scientific games category We recognise the value of fun in a child’s learning journey and our activities are based on learning through play Drawing on literature, psychology, pedagogy and diferent educational methods, we put our know how into the planning and design of high level educational products. Maria learningMontessori:throughexperience Carl Gustav psycho-educationalJung:gamesLife everydayrequiredSkills:forlifeOur Table of Values:Educationalmappingeducation ® P re s c h o o l Ga m e s 2 0 2 1
There are plenty of fun-packed games for younger board game players to choose from including Quicksand, Kersplatt! and the new Tom Gates games and puzzles range. The range includes the awardwinning Tom Gates 3-in-1 Monster Games Compendium as well as a Truly Awesome Card Games Set and a range of double-sided Colour-In Puzzles featuring popular characters from the series.
University Games has a plethora of entertaining games to choose from for family games nights: 5 Star Review, Judge Your Friends and Who’s in the Bag are certain to get the party started. The new Party Game Night compendium should also prove a Christmas favourite as friends and family act, draw, bluff and guess their way through a hilarious night of family fun.
The Right Start award-winning Rocket Bang is an entertaining, firework-themed card game suitable for families and children. A contemporary version of the strategic card game 'Sevens', players take it in turns to place the colourful firework cards in order, with exciting 'bang' explosion cards making an appearance at the end of each sequence. Rocket Bang is a great way to get children into strategic card games.
University Games’ extensive 3D Puzzle and Model Kit range includes the best-selling Harry Potter 3D Puzzle series, featuring Hogwarts Castle, Diagon Alley and The Burrow. There are also new Disney and Marvel 3D Puzzles available, including The Avengers Tower, Iron Man’s Helmet and the beautiful Arendelle Castle from Frozen. Ideal for Star Wars fans, the Millennium Falcon, Imperial AT-AT, iconic R2-D2 and Boba Fett’s Starfighter Model Kits will be favourites this Christmas.
Ideal for families who already play classic card games, Family Friendly Playing Cards is a standard deck of 52 playing cards designed with symbols that are much easier to differentiate compared to a standard pack of cards. This innovative twist on classic cards makes it easier for young or old players to see the difference between suits and enjoy
This month, University Games is set to launch 5-Letter Wordlet, a confounding new word strategy board game. 5-Letter Wordlet brings the popular single player online trend into the home for competitive play with family and friends. The new multi-player game offers all the fun and head-scratching challenge of recent, viral word guessing games, with the additional benefits of face-to-face interaction, competition and the camaraderie that playing board games fosters.
The best-selling Subbuteo table football range, which includes both the Official England and Official Lionesses Main Games, will be on many Christmas lists this year, especially after the Lionesses scooped victory at the Euros 2022 and with the England squad heading to the FIFA World Cup in November. To support the Subbuteo range at retail, a Q4 multi layered, heavyweight media campaign will provide high levels of consumer awareness.
Spinning Poodle Games is on a mission to get families off their screens and playing card and parlour games together instead. The company designs and manufactures a tailored selection of compact, stocking filler/handbag/manbag sized games that work well as gifts, travel games or on-the-go entertainment. Designed and made in the UK, the range includes modern versions of classic card games that encourage youngsters to start playing with their parents, friends and extended families.
A set of colourful picture cards designed to introduce youngsters to charades, Simple Charades cards are divided into three colours to indicate different levels of difficulty. The green (easy) cards are perfect for younger players, while the more challenging and the red cards are classed as difficult, meaning everyone can get in on the fun. New for autumn 2022, the 54 brightly coloured cards come in a sturdy tin.
Toy World 56 Games & Puzzles Spinning Poodle Games 0330 222 0318 | sales@spinningpoodle.comwww.spinningpoodlegames.com
The range includes Slug Sandwich, a simple, funny card game for 2-4 players aged five and over. Very loosely based on the card game 'Rummy', this card collecting game challenges players to assemble a disgusting sandwich from unpleasant ingredients. The game includes 58 high quality, beautifully illustrated, brightly coloured cards, plus instructions, all contained within a robust travel-sized tin. Hide the Slug is a fun, fruit-themed card game which works well with small or large groups and mixed ages. A simple yet hugely entertaining version of the classic card game 'Cheat', players must succeed in sneaking slug cards amongst the fruit cards to win. The fun, colourful cards and simple rules appeal to young players, but the gameplay is equally challenging for all ages. This 2022 Right Start award winning game comes with 52 plastic coated cards in a sturdy travel-sized tin.
University Games 020 7254 0100 | www.university-games.co.uk | www.thelagoongroup.com
The Spinning Poodle range is proving very popular: in addition to the two awards, the range is also racking up 4- and 5-star reviews on Amazon. Starter sets of small quantities
Murder mystery games are a very popular choice for New Year’s Eve. Presented in whisky-bottle-style gift tubes, Murder Mystery in Paris, Murder at the Tower and Murder Mystery Aboard the RMS Titania all contain six different plots so the dinner party, crime-solving fun can be enjoyed
The Hat Game is based on the classic parlour game, in which players must communicate as many names pulled from a hat as they can in one minute. Three rounds of increasing difficulty make this game hugely entertaining. The Hat Game set includes everything needed for play straight out of the tiny, travel sized box: pens, paper pads, a sand timer and a specially designed hat-bag.
Supported across: TV . Digital . Tik Tok . PR trade@playmonster.co.uk +44 (0) 1628 488944 playmonster.co.ukMiniGameThe Fu n Intense Game, where time's not on your side! A Junior Version The Hilarious of the popular 5SR party game for younger fans! Portable and Packable to take to friends, holidays and parties! #1 Travel Game NPD Data July 2022 adult version of 5SR!
trade@playmonster.co.uk +44 (0) 1628 488944 playmonster.co.uk Be the first to remove all 16 cards from your deck, but watch out, if the switch dice lands on ‘switch’ you’ll be changing decks with your opponents!! From the creators of Ticket to Ride, travel by foot, aeroplane or boat across Europe before anyone else to win! Designed by Alan R Moon & Aaron Weissblum Watch out Kitties! Mugs is on the loose! Get to the finish line before he catches you! nOebigbumpfrom Mugssendskitty flying!!
Creating a portfolio of sustainable brands is of huge importance to HTI. FSC-certified, recyclable packaging is supplied with all games as standard, and the team has also introduced OPRL labelling and FSC-certification on all Epic Fun games and Instantlypuzzles.recognisable thanks to its bright illustrative packaging, the Epic Fun range of traditional family games with a modern twist remains extensive. Snakes and Ladders is regarded as a worldwide classic, and Epic Fun’s 3D Snakes and Ladders, available in both Magical Edition and Dino Edition, adds a new dimension to this firm favourite. Using balls instead of counters and featuring moving parts with slides to heighten the fun, this exciting game sees who can make it home before anyoneAnotherelse.family favourite, Chompin Crocs delivers fast, crazy fun. Up to four players can race against each other to see whose croc can eat all the balls: the one with the most is the winner. As part of this portfolio, HTI also offers a unicorn version called Fantasy Feast. According to trend experts, slime is still one of the most popular toys around. Unicorn Slime Surgeon combines slime with surgery as players test their nerves by working through the slime to remove body parts from the Unicorn’s stomach. Whoever wakes the Unicorn and causes her to tremble with fear is the loser. There is also a colourful Dino version of this game. As consumers search for traditional toys to balance out the over-sophistication of the digital age, wooden toys are enjoying a major comeback. An eco-friendlier alternative to many modern toys, HTI’s Woodworks range is built to last. Made from FSC-certified wood, all materials used in the production of Woodworks toys are sustainably sourced, and both the products and packaging are fully recyclable. The Woodworks collection includes multiple chunky puzzles lovingly developed for little hands, plus magnetic games, floor puzzles and other traditional wooden items, which are all beautifully crafted. HTI’s Woodworks range will provide hours of fun and a lifetime of memories.
Available at a sub-£20 RRP, the game offers great value for consumers as well as good margins for retailers. The 12 games have been carefully designed so that players of all ages can have a festive blast playing team, solo, action, card, brain, board, loud and quiet games: there really is something for everyone. 12 Games of Christmas is an ideal Christmas gift for ages six years and over.
In partnership with Ladbible, VR Distribution has recently released the Ladbible First Impressions game. Tipped to be a big hit and playable either in a group or head-to-head, players can capture their best (or worst) impressions and submit them via the handy QR code on the packaging for a chance to be featured on Ladbible.
The Duncan pocket money range continues to gather pace. VR has brought in more stock of yo-yos and small puzzles for autumn/winter, at prices from pocket money to gifting and special occasion. CDUs/PDQs/FSDUs cover almost all display options.
HTI Toys 01253 778 888 | www.htigroup.co.uk
A social media/TikTok sensation, The Fuzzies launched in July and sold out within three weeks. More stock arrived in August, however, ready to cater to the ongoing demand.
The Fuzzies is a hugely entertaining, fast to learn game for everyone to enjoy, and can be easily packed away and taken on day trips. Players simply draw a card and remove the colour of Fuzzy shown using either the included tweezers or their fingers, but cannot get out of their seat. They then stick the Fuzzy anywhere higher up on the tower. If they are successful, the next player takes their turn. However, if any balls drop, they must draw challenge cards equal to the number of balls dropped and do a challenge on their next turn (eg: remove a Fuzzy while covering their eye). The game ends when someone knocks over the tower. That player is the loser - everyone else wins.
With over 26 years’ experience in the Games category, Epic Fun is a rapidly expanding brand for HTI Toys. It offers a broad range of games and puzzles including classic family favourites and modern themes. Extensive tooling investment has led to high quality, impressive content, and excellent value for money. This, combined with a swift and skilful reaction to key trends, helps ensure that Epic Fun continues to deliver up-to-date games all year round.
Heading into the autumn/winter 2022 peak period, the growth of VR's Party Games portfolio is set to continue apace. The company is predicting a big increase in consumer demand for its What Do You Meme games and the evergreen best-seller Cards Against Maturity, and has built up good stock levels to cover the anticipated sales.
For the past two years, the Beat That! challenge-based game – now containing 160 different challenges - has been in Amazon’s Top 10 toys during December and is expected to be there again this year. Launching soon is Beat That’s sister game, '12 Games of Christmas'. This new addition contains 12 fun, easy-to-learn and simple-to-play party games to get any players, along with their family and friends, into the Christmas spirit.
Toy World 60 Games & Puzzles VR Distribution 0330 088 0941 | www.vrdist.co.uk
The Kids Against Maturity range expands for autumn/winter 2022, with the 'Let’s Go' travel edition and an ‘Illustrated' version of the main game. Last year, Kids Against Maturity was Amazon’s No. 1 best-selling item in All Toys for a few days in December, and VR Distribution is expecting to see big numbers again this year.
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The Rubik’s Phantom brings a whole new level of fun to the original 3x3 cube with thermochromic technology. The whole cube looks black until players touch the tiles and temporarily reveal the colour while they twist and turn. Beyond the Cube, there’s also a range of new Rubik’s games that features the iconic colours, shapes and playful intelligence Rubik’s is so well-known for.
Penguins Huddle Up will help develop a range of cognitive skills including flexible thinking, problem solving and planning. The game includes a large colourful circular gameboard, 24 colourful penguins and six ice blocks.
John Adams Leisure’s range of Ideal games continues to grow in strength and volume with exciting new additions in the Family and Children’s Action Games categories. Joining the action games range are four fun new additions. Monster Mash is a monster matching, speedy-smashing game in which players try to be the first to match and catch five monsters with their sucker. Don’t be a Scaredy Bear, meanwhile, challenges kids to carefully peel off plasters from the bear. Beware: pull too hard and he’ll scream. The first player to successfully remove three plasters wins. Soggy Moggy is a cat-pawing, fish-splashing, crazy race game. Players race to the bowl but if their fish squirts, Soggy Moggy will shake. The first player to get their fish back to safety is the winner. In Tippy the Dragon, players roll the dice and carefully add treasure onto Tippy, who is magically hovering in the air. Kids take turns rolling the dice and loading the treasures, but if they add too much and he’ll tip and the treasure will fall. In 60 Seconds, players have just one minute to say, draw or mime the object on the card to the other players in their team. It's a race against time to see how many cards they can get before the alarm rings. Families seeking a challenge will love Topple Off, the electronic, balancing reaction game. Follow the instructions and place the handle on the correct base plate without making the orb topple. Race to Escape is a unique 3D re-playable escape room board game. Players find themselves locked in a house of mystery and intrigue and must work as a team to crack codes and solve puzzles. Each of the three rooms has hundreds of hidden clues to help them unlock all the doors and escape. 13 Dead End Drive is a murder mystery mansion game with 12 suspects, five traps, and only one survivor. Players can use the traps to eliminate their opponents, but if the detective makes it to the mansion before a winner is determined, all their work may have been for nothing.
The TV show collection is also expanding with Race Across the World, a fun competitive board game based on the popular BBC TV show. Joining the family games range is SpinParty. Players don’t need to possess the most knowledge to win this cunning, rotating trivia game. Instead, they can bluff their opponents, spin the board and steal answers.
Smart Toys and Games 01903 885 669 | www.smartgames.eu | uk@smart.be
Ludic is a complete collection of co-ordinated fun family games to test all parts of the brain. With something for everyone of all ages, whether it be storytelling, language, trivia, logic or just frantic fun, there are 10 games within the range to collect.
Smart Toys and Games is starting to roll out its highly anticipated autumn 2022 launches. Home to seven multi award-winning educational brands including the worldrenowned SmartGames and SmartMax, there are a number of brilliant games and puzzles for children to look forward to. In keeping with its reputation for designing truly unique games, Smart’s upcoming launches are bursting with fun, brain-busting themes and innovative mechanics that will engage the minds of children and adults alike.
Grizzly Gears sees players rotate the trees to help guide the characters through the forest: but beware of the bear. This original puzzle game will keep players on their toes thanks to a fun twist. Quite simply, no one is out of the woods until all 80 challenges have been solved. Suitable for ages seven and over, this single-player game includes a game board, nine rotating puzzle pieces, six figurines and a booklet of 80 challenges and their solutions. Suitable for the smallest members of the family from just two years of age, PeekA-Zoo is a fantastic new educational game that lets pre-schoolers practise their language skills, learn about colours and animals, and grasp concepts such as above and below or inside and outside. Peek-A-Zoo asks players to find all the animals by stacking the blocks correctly to match the image on the picture challenge card. The game includes five cardboard blocks, one cardboard lid and 48 picture cards, is made of durable cardboard, and is easy to both store and take on travels. From Albania to Zimbabwe, the entertaining family board game Go Genius World offers the educational trip of a lifetime for 2-4 players. As they travel around the board, players answer multiple choice questions on everything from capitals and countries to the tallest mountains and saltiest seas. Can they name the longest river in the world or which country Komodo dragons come from? The more they play, the more they learn, as kids compete to collect enough points to be crowned ‘Genius of the World’.
Penguins Huddle Up is suitable for 2-4 players and is the perfect game with which to engage in some good old family rivalry. In this fun family board game, penguins are scattered across the ice and it’s starting to get cold. The aim of the game is to move the penguins together into a huddle while blocking opponents from doing the same. Suitable for ages six and over, kids and adults alike can use their tactical skills as they jump over other penguins and dive under the ice.
All key new launches will benefit from a mix of TV, VOD, Adsmart and digital advertising as well as full PR, influencer and social media campaigns.
Toy World 62 Games & Puzzles John Adams Leisure 01480 414 361 | www.johnadams.co.uk
SKU: SFPB-001 MSRP: $17.95 / €17.95 / £17.99 30 MIN 3-6 PLAYERS AGE 14+ WE LOVE MAKING GAMES YOU LOVE. AVAILABLE FOR ORDER NOW! SKU: SFGPAC-001 MSRP: $9.95 / €9.95 / £9.99 5-25 min Age 7 +2-8 players PAC-MAN™&©BANDAI NAMCO Entertainment Inc. Copyright © 2022 Steamforged Games Ltd. Steamforged Games is a trademark of Steamforged Games Ltd. Peaky Blinders ™ © 2013 - 2022 Caryn Mandabach. Productions Ltd. Peaky Blinders is a registered trademark of Caryn Mandabach Productions Ltd. Licensed by Endemol Shine Group. For trades enquiries, reach out to toby@steamforged.com For sales enquiries, reach out to jo@steamforged.com View the full range on www.steamforged.com
For those more into puzzles, the all-new, on-the-go, compact Perplexus comes with 35 new obstacles that will keep users occupied for hours. The ultimate puzzle maze ball, Perplexus challenges puzzlers to manoeuvre tricky 360-degree obstacles without falling off the track and having to go back to the start. Also available in the Perplexus range are Rebel and Beast variations. Perplexus Rebel sees players flip, twist and spin their way through 70 challenging obstacles, whilst Perplexus Beast puts players to the test with 100 challenges including manoeuvring tricky hurdles such as the laughing man, tightrope and super spiral, all without falling off the track. Each version is sold for a new game to bring out friendly rivalries this season will enjoy another of Spin Master’s new launches, Less is More. In this game, players and the guesser work together to communicate the mystery word in as few letters as possible. The fewer the guesses, the more points they score. This easy-to-learn, funny card game is simple to set up and comes with a convenient QR code that unlocks a digital timer. Perfect to play with either friends or family, Less is More is suitable for 3-6 players aged eight and up and is ideal for holiday gatherings or late-night parties.
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Toy World 64 Games & Puzzles Spin Master 01628 535 000 | www.spinmastertoys.co.uk
The fun-filled family trivia game for all ages, Beat the Parents will have adults and kids battling it out for bragging rights in the ultimate inter-generational challenge.
New for autumn/winter, Sink N’ Sand will take players on a wild jungle adventure. Players start by rolling the die and pulling a stick with the aim of not becoming trapped by the fast-sinking sand. Players that sink with the sand will be eliminated. However, if they find a Redemption Ruby, they get another chance at survival. The objective of the game is to be the last one standing when the quicksand falls. Sink N’ Sand offers suspense and excitement for everyone to enjoy. Suitable for 2-4 players aged four and over, the game comes with an easy-to-scan QR code linked to detailed gameplay instructions, plus everything needed for play right out of the box.
Goliath has also invested in a global content studio and team based out of the US which will allow the company to deliver the right assets, creative, tone, lengths and formats to each of the social and digital platforms across its portfolio. Marketing plans will include a mix of TV advertising alongside YouTube, influencers and PR while also targeting parents and gifters across Facebook, Instagram, Tik Tok and Snapchat.
Trash Stash, Dumpster Diver and Chicken Poo Bingo, a game developed through Goliath’s Young Inventor Programme, complete the line-up of new releases. All are supported by a widereaching media plan including TV, YouTube and social advertising.
Vivid Goliath is evolving its media strategy for this autumn/winter by adopting a much stronger focus on digital, social media, influencer programs, PR, VOD and gaming. Working closely with Havas, the company’s media plans encompass a layered approach across multiple platforms to build the frequency and reach it used to enjoy from TV advertising alone.
Several new Kids Action Games have joined the line-up ahead of the autumn/winter season. The range already includes proven sellers such as Shark Bite, Don’t Wake Dad and The Floor is Lava. New for 2022 is the loopin’ lasso game One Trick Pony. Players must grab their animals before being caught red-handed as the lasso closes around their wrist.
Vivid Goliath 01483 449944 | www.vividtoysandgames.co.uk
Building on the 2021 success of the core game for kids, families can now play The Floor is Lava Family Edition. This new version offers more floor tiles than ever, more challenges to complete, and an impressive 10 different ways to play.
New games within the party category include Slap the Deck, which was quite literally a hit at UK Games Expo. In Slap the Deck, players don huge foam hands, draw cards and then get slap happy when the spoken number matches the card. Another title that generated a lot of excitement at UKGE was Rainbow Pirates, a rummy-style card game. Players have to strike a balance between getting their points down on their island and keeping cards in their hand to wreakVividhavoc.Goliath is also launching titles from its newly created True Crime category. Casefile: Truth & Deception gives players the chance to solve the murder of wealthy businessman Casey Parker. Players trade evidence in a bid to be the first to discover the truth but must watch out for sabotage from the other players in the form of false evidence cards being traded as fact. Casefile joins other new titles The Real Truth and Scene of the Crime Puzzle in the True Crime range.
With its biggest-ever offering across the Kids, Family, Party and Crime categories, Vivid Goliath has something for everyone, from kids to adults and everyone in between.
Another option for family games night, Hedbanz is everyone’s favourite game of ‘What am I?’. Players pick their favourite headband and take a picture card without looking at the drawing on it. They then put the headband on and place the card in the headband, so the illustration is facing all the other players. Asking questions with simple ‘yes and ‘no answers will guide them towards the correct guess of what’s on their card. Ramping up the pressure, Hedbanz is also a race against the clock: players try to be the first to get three scoring badges and win the game.
Also new for this season is Spin Master’s Games HQs, which span some of the toy company’s biggest licences: Paw Patrol, Harry Potter’s Wizarding World and the hit Netflix show Gabby’s Dollhouse. Each HQ set houses eight games under one roof and includes themed iterations of classics including noughts and crosses, draughts and bingo.
Tell Me Without Telling me is the perfect addition to adults-only games night, be it for university parties, happy hour fun or a stag/hen do. Players split into two teams, and alternating teams roll the die, then flip the timer to start their team’s turn. Players give hints to their team in an effort to guess as many cards as possible before time runs out, without breaking the die’s rule. There are three categories on the die. Show Don’t Tell: no words allowed, with players letting their body do the talking. One Syllable: only words with a single syllable are allowed. Freestyle: any words are a fair game, just not what’s on the card. Categories include People, Traits, Things, Places and NSFW (not safe for work).
01268 511 purchaseorders@cartamundi.comwww.cartamundi.com522
Toy World 66 & Puzzles Kayes of Cardiff 029 2036 3678 | www.kayes.co.uk | orders@kayes.co.uk
The branded items are also complemented by a range of pocket money games which prove popular throughout the year and underpin any retailer’s toy offering.
IG Design Group 01908 618 811 | www.igdesigngroup.uk | info@igdesigngroup.uk.com
New from August 2022, Code Genius is an adaptation of the classic decoding game, encouraging children to use their powers of deduction.Theobject of the game is for the player to outsmart their opponent. The code maker’s objective is to set a mystery code so difficult that it will keep their opponent guessing. The player who is the decoder must break the secret code in the fewest number of guesses.
Jigsaws of various sizes span the entire age spectrum, from character licensed pre-school options through to youth puzzles and adult titles with thousands of pieces. As highly visual products, image content is key and varies from contemporary designs to traditional cottage gardens. There’s something for all avid jigsaw enthusiasts. Jumbo, through its Falcon range, and Ravensburger cover very popular nostalgic content. In many cases, an initial purchase turns into a collectible demand which enhances sales. Both companies have specialist brands in their portfolios including Wasjig and Escape ranges, both of which are perfect for the experienced puzzler looking for more of a challenge. Kayes of Cardiff offers independent retailer a wide selection of Games and Puzzles in small quantities, enabling customers to buy a large range as opposed to a depth of stock. This approached is proving very popular in these times of focused stock management. Via its team of regional representatives and agents, which are complemented by its office sales team, Kayes covers the entire UK mainland.
Lisciani www.liscianigiochi.com | danny@allinoneproducts.com
Games
Other fun lines in the Kids Love Monsters range include The Monsters’ Houses - a special memory game - Domino Memory Game, Monster Bingo, Monster Race and Monsters On The Run. For more information about the Lisciani collection, which benefits from extensive marketing and PR support, contact Danny from Two in 1 Direct on the email above.
Kids Love Monsters is a fun collection of psycho-educational games for children, parents and childcare professionals. The games take inspiration from a revolutionary form of psycho-pedagogical learning, based on C. G. Jung’s atavistic theory. The amusing monster characters featured throughout the range become children’s best friends and accompany them throughout their development, teaching them respect for diversity and the importance of tolerance, courage and always being themselves.
The Haunted Castle promises fun for kids aged five and over. Players face a three-dimensional haunted castle full of obstacles to overcome, a spooky tower to climb and plenty of monsters. Creepy yet hugely entertaining, this fantastic 3D board game puts kids’ logic, memory and coordination skills to the test. With tricks, dangers and traps hiding inside this castle, players must take care.
This game includes 60 code pegs in six colours, 15 red indicator pegs, 15 white indicator pegs and a game unit with storage lid.
Over the last two years, Kayes has seen a phenomenal growth in and demand for Games and Puzzles, not only due to the pandemic but also the increased popularity of specialist and collectible games. These include the very popular Villainous range from Ravensburger and the many expansion packs that complement the original game. Educational games from Orchard Toys and the Think Fun brand form the basis of this niche market. Parents favour the use of games to encourage learning in a fun and family environment. The Shopping List game is undoubtedly Orchard’s all-time best seller and enhances a child’s matching and memory skills. Ideal for the older child, the Thinkfun game Rush Hour provides the opportunity to develop logic skills and is the leading game in ThinkFun’s range.One of the best-known from Mattel remains at the top of the any games wish list. Many variations are available such as Harry Potter, Star Wars and the Travel Edition, enabling a wider audience of players to improve their vocabulary while having fun.
Kayes of Cardiff is proud to partner with many leading brands in the Games and Puzzles market, and to support the widespread demand for this key sector in the toy industry. Orchard Toys, Mattel, Ravensburger, Think Fun, Jumbo, John Adams, Schmidt, Playmonster, Tomy and Winning Moves all offer leading and highly sought-after products, giving Kayes a fully comprehensive selection for retailers to choose from. Card games, board games, immersive games, educational games, adult puzzles and children’s jigsaws all combine to cover the needs of any independent retailer wishing to offer a varied selection to their customers.
John Adams has also expanded the language development opportunities on offer by licensing a Welsh version, which is now included in the Kayes portfolio.
Other fun lines in the Kids Love Monsters range include The Monsters’ Houses - a special memory game - Domino Memory Game, Monster Bingo, Monster Race and Monsters On The Run. For more information about the Lisciani collection, which benefits from extensive marketing and PR support, contact Danny from Two in 1 Direct on the email above.
A key line in the collection is Kids Love Monsters: The Game of Fears. This funny and original, fast-paced race game teaches children aged six years and over to face the most common childhood fears with a smile - in the company of their cute little monster friends. With the help of miming, storytelling and drawing, chasing away the fear becomes a fun game to play with friends and family.
A key line in the collection is Kids Love Monsters: The Game of Fears. This funny and original, fast-paced race game teaches children aged six years and over to face the most common childhood fears with a smile - in the company of their cute little monster friends. With the help of miming, storytelling and drawing, chasing away the fear becomes a fun game to play with friends and family.TheHaunted Castle promises fun for kids aged five and over. Players face a three-dimensional haunted castle full of obstacles to overcome, a spooky tower to climb and plenty of monsters. Creepy yet hugely entertaining, this fantastic 3D board game puts kids’ logic, memory and coordination skills to the test. With tricks, dangers and traps hiding inside this castle, players must take care.
Lisciani, a global company that has been designing, developing and manufacturing educational toys and games for the last 30 years, offers a monster games and puzzles line-up.
No minimum order. Over one thousand products in stock. Free delivery available. rexlondontrade.com Discover Rex London’s collection of traditional puzzles and games Retro toys for modern kids
Exploding Kittens (31) 646 437 146 | sales@explodingkittens.comwww.explodingkittens.com
Ideally for ages seven and up, Mantis is a colourful, cutthroat card game of rainbows and revenge with only two rules: steal or score. Each player starts with four cards face up so the entire group of two to six people can see. The back of the cards have colourful clues as to what is on the other side. During each turn, players look at the top card of the draw pile and decide whether to steal matching cards from an opponent or score all of the matching cards in hand. The first player to get 10 or more points wins.
Toy World 68 Games & Puzzles
Ravensburger once again has a variety of Christmas puzzle options for all ages andEachtastes.year, hours of work go into creating an exclusive Ravensburger-designed Christmas Puzzle. Once it’s sold through, no more copies are produced. This year’s special 26th limited edition is Santa’s Workshop. A visual work of art that will captivate festive puzzle fans, the 1,000-piece puzzle depicts Santa and Mrs Claus, surrounded by mountains of toys ready to be delivered to children around the world. For 2022, there are no less than 12 new Christmas puzzles ranging from 100 up to 1,000 pieces, available in XL and XXL sizes. With a variety of designs on offer, this year’s puzzle range includes two stunning Disney scenes: Disney All Aboard for Christmas and Disney Christmas Snowglobe Paradise. The Christmas Cupboard, The Christmas Library, Christmas Winter Wonderland and Christmas at Home all feature wonderful festive images. Putting a fun twist on selfies, the 500-piece We Wish Moo a Merry Christmas features five mooing cows wearing Christmas hats. For younger puzzlers, and new for Christmas 2022, is a Peppa Pig 32-piece giant floor shaped puzzle complete with door hanger featuring Peppa and her family in a wonderful snowy scene.
Exploding Kittens has announced the expansion of two of its most successful franchises with the release of Zombie Kittens and Poetry for Neanderthals: NSFW Edition, plus new game launches Mantis and Kickstarter-backed Hand-to-Hand Zombie Kittens joins the kitty powered ‘Russian Roulette’ heritage of Exploding Kittens as both a standalone game and an expansion to the original deck and features player resurrection – the most requested feature of Exploding Kittens. Fans can finally enjoy life after death with the new Zombie Kitten card which can be played after players explode, bringing them to life only to maybe explode again. Great for adults, and kids aged seven and up, Zombie Kittens features new cards and new art from Matthew Inman, Creator of The Oatmeal. The game takes 2-5 minutes to learn and 15 minutes to play. Poetry for Neanderthals: NSFW Edition is the adult version of the hit game from Exploding Kittens for ages 17+ where you must “speak good or get spanked with stick”. Players earn points by getting their teammates to guess words and phrases, but they are only allowed to use single syllable words. If they use words with more than one syllable, the other team gets to spank them with the 2-foot inflatable Spank Stick. The game forces players to explain complicated ideas using simple vocabulary while sounding a little bit dumb. Each team must guess as many words and phrases as possible before the time runs out.
Last year, Ravensburger introduced its Christmas 54-piece 3D puzzle balls. These were so popular they’re back for 2022 in three new festive designs. Another annual best-seller, the 216-piece light-up 3D Gingerbread House is perfect for rebuilding year afterTheyear.company generated global excitement earlier this year with the announcement of a new game in the Villainous franchise - Star Wars Villainous: Power of the Dark Side. The new tabletop game includes Darth Vader, General Grievous, Asajj Ventress, Moff Gideon and Kylo Ren. Immersive games fans have long been asking for Star Wars Villainous. To do their request justice, the Villainous development team spent over a year diving into the characters and their stories to respectfully translate them into the Villainous gameplay system. Players use their Villain’s ‘ambition’ to perform actions based on the use of the Force, strategic leadership, or sheer luck. Expected to be an immediate best-seller, the game also incorporates Villain-specific missions and iconic Star Wars planes, ships and vehicles. Highly anticipated within the family games range for 2022 is Zingo. Benefitting from a new design and packaging, the game has been an international best-seller for ThinkFun and moves over to the Ravensburger portfolio this year having already achieved 20,000 5-star reviews. Zingo is perfect for all ages and can be as fast, fun and educational as players want it to be, making it a great option for youngsters who can’t sit still for long. Zingo’s gameplay is simple: players try to match tiles to the images on the card in front of them. A smart red ‘Zinger’ holds the tiles. It’s a race to see who can fill their card and be the first to shout ‘Zingo’. The autumn launch of Zingo will be supported by a full marketing campaign leading up to Christmas. The family-friendly sleuth game Scotland Yard has become a strong yearround seller. The upcoming launch of Sherlock Holmes Scotland Yard is equally as entertaining and challenging, as the super-sleuth and his team hunt down the mysterious criminal Moriarty across the city of London. With further launch plans in place which will see the brand grow over the next three years, this is a perfect game for up to six players to enjoy over the winter months. A marketing campaign spanning print and digital will run throughout November and December.
Following the success of a Kickstarter campaign which saw almost $1m pledged in 30 days, Hand-To-Hand Wombat is a social deduction party game where each of the four players is assigned a secret identity: either a Good Wombat or a Bad Wombat. The Good Wombats work together to build towers while the Bad Wombat sabotages them, with their eyes closed. After the 90-second timer is up, everyone votes on who they think is a Bad Wombat. Best for players ages seven and up, the game includes 18 stacking bricks and three tower spindles. It also features the
Ravensburger 01869 363 830 | www.ravensburger.com
Puzzle enthusiasts can bring their favourite Hornby locomotive to life with Kidicraft’s 1000pc jigsaw puzzle range. From steam and diesel to electric locomotives, there is something to suit everyone. The 1000pc Airfix jigsaw puzzles feature some of the most iconic aircrafts that hobbyists will know and love while the 1000pc Corgi jigsaw puzzles showcase some of the most famous spitfires in the world. Each range has nine designs in total with something for beginners, collectors and enthusiasts alike. A special edition 3000pc jigsaw puzzle of the Airfix Spitfire also includes a Supermarine Spitfire Model kit and the chance to win a great prize. This is a true collector’s item for play and display and stock will be limited. Heroes and villains star in the new Marvel range. From Spider-Man to Black Widow there is something to suit every Marvel fan. There are nine 500pc Prime 3D puzzles to choose from. There is also a new Star Wars range, including characters from the Mandalorian, the battle-worn bounty hunter to Grogu, known to many simply as ‘the child’. There are nine 500pc Prime 3D puzzles to choose from.
The Kevin Walsh 1000pc Nostalgia range has gone from strength to strength with five new designs taking this ever-expanding range to 33 designs in total. The five new designs include Cotswold Village, To The Rescue, Baker In The Village, Westminster and Station Buffet. Three additional charming Christmas themed 1000pc jigsaw puzzles have launched with limited quantities available now. These are Christmas Shopping, The Village at Christmas and Christmas Market.
Toy World 70 Games & Puzzles Kidicraft 01282 505 988 | sales@kidicraft.comwww.kidicraft.com
Harry Potter continues to be one of the company’s most successful, best-selling ranges, and three new puzzles round up the extension to this range. The new additions are from the 500pc, 61cm x 46cm collection and feature Voldemort, and Harry Potter with Ron Weasley and Hermione Granger. There is also a Slytherin group puzzle featuring Professor Snape, Bellatrix Lestrange and Draco Malfoy. Now using the new Prime 3D lens, these puzzles have sharp 3D imagery with superb clarity that really stands out and is extremely eye catching. Kidicraft is working hard to become more environmentally friendly by making its floor display units 100% recyclable and introducing eco-friendly, zero plastic, paper envelopes for puzzle pieces. This will be rolled out across the different brands with Hornby, Airfix and Corgi leading the way. New floor display units are available for all the new ranges which are free with orders of 48 puzzles or more from the same range. Mattel 01628 500 000 | www.mattel.com Mattel continues to strengthen its first-class games portfolio in 2022 with an extensive offering that expands iconic favourites. This year, Scrabble adds a game-changing twist to the classic game with Scrabble Trap Tiles. Players use opponents' words against them by laying traps on premium squares to steal points, tiles or even the whole game. Beware the premium squares while building words: a trap may have been set, changing the game. The addition of sabotage adds an entirely new dimension of gameplay to this iconic family-favourite. Following the continued strong performance of Pictionary Air since it launched in 2020, Mattel is expanding the range in 2022 with the new Pictionary Air Star Wars. Fans of the intergalactic franchise can call upon the force in this twist on the classic family drawing game, which has players drawing clues in space and seeing them on-screen with a little help from R2-D2 and BB-8, as well as their friends. Players can also cast their drawings from their smart device to their TV. This family game brings big fun to any game night or party. Uno adds an exciting new licence to the line-up with Uno Star Wars Mandalorian. The game’s deck and storage tin are both decorated with characters and graphics from the series. The original bouncing challenge game BounceOff Pop-Out gets a high-octane boost in the form of the Bounce-Off Pop-Out party game, in which players must beat the clock to win. First, they grab a challenge card, set the timer and press start, then match the pattern on the challenge card to win. If they’re too slow, the balls go pop, but if they make the pattern the player gets to keep the challenge card for a point and bragging rights. Perfect for games night, the Bounce-Off Pop-Out party game will also spice up any dinner party with a hilarious balltossing challenge for all ages to enjoy.
Tel: 01903 885669 uk@smart.be www.smart.be
Cartamundi has new releases this autumn/winter from Marvel, Harry Potter, Disney Princess, Winnie the Pooh and Bicycle. Following the acquisition of USPC in 2019, Cartamundi has launched the Bicycle range of playing cards. Bicycle playing cards has been a best-selling playing card brand in the world for more than 130 years. The cards are made with an air cushion finish embossing technique which allows the cards to glide smoothly over eachCartamundiother. is launching three new games into the Marvel Universe. The classic Marvel Compendium comes complete with 35 games to enjoy with all the family. Players can race around the galaxy to collect infinity stones with the new 3D Marvel figurines in the Home Sprint Board Game or race to finish first in the Marvel themed Race Home Ludo board game complete with 16 3D Marvel figurines.Thewizarding world of Harry Potter has four new additions to the range this season, players can select a seeker and race around the board to catch the Golden Snitch in the Seek the Snitch board game, presented in the original prop artwork Quidditch box. They can head back to the classroom and learn magical skills in the Hogwarts Wizardry Quest board game and see which player can pass their exams first or navigate the moving staircases in the Hogwarts Hallways board game to race to the Great Hall – but beware of the magical encounters hiding in the hallways. Players race to collect as many gems as possible without getting tagged in the 3D built up Disney Princess Race ‘n Chase Board game complete with 3D princess figurines of Ariel, Jasmine, Belle and Rapunzel. The Shuffle Junior brand continues to go from strength to strength with some new Into the Wild games such as Seek & Spell & the best-selling 3 Card pack; Happy Families, Snap and Pairs. There is also a new Winnie the Pooh range which includes classic dominoes, matching and bingo games, as well as educational alphabet and number flashcards that bring together the wonderful world of Pooh & friends and learning for pre-schoolers. There is also the recent release of Jurassic World games in line with the Dominion film launch; Tracker & Dino Chase. Players can become the ultimate dinosaur tracker, and race around the board to collect the resources needed to find and rescue the dinosaurs. In the game of Dino Chase, players must be first to uncover all the dinosaurs on their card.
Hasbro 0208 569 1234 | www.hasbro.co.uk
An unpredictable, fast-paced, familyfriendly card game that's fun for kids, teens, adults and grandparents, the 5 Alive card game is easy to learn. Participants play numbered cards to a running total of 21, but can't go over this amount: if they do, they lose a life. Players can use Wild cards that change the game by saving a chosen player's life or zapping an opponent’s. If a player loses five lives, they're out. Having five lives with which to win means it's anyone's game right up until the end: players never know who will be the last one standing. The game is easy to learn and quick to play, making it a great option for a family game night or an impromptu party. It is also a fun game for kids' car rides and a great indoor activity for 2-6 players aged eight and up.
Games & Puzzles Cartamundi 01268 218052 | www.cartamundi.com | enquiries@cartamundi.com
The Cluedo Treachery at Tudor Mansion Escape & Solve Mystery game offers classic Cluedo characters and stories in a compelling escape room experience that lets players start playing straight away with limited setup. The dynamic gameboard is built room-by-room as players explore the mansion, draw cards, solve puzzles, unlock new rooms and uncover clues. After escaping the mansion, players review the clues they've gathered to make a correct accusation and win the game. Everyone has a role to play in this collaborative experience, and even if players don't get every single clue, they still have a chance to deduce the solution to the mystery with the evidence at hand. The game is suitable for 1-6 players, and for kids aged 10 and up.
The Monopoly Travel World Tour board game, a twist on classic Monopoly gameplay, has players discovering and visiting exciting travel destinations. Players buy destinations, complete travel goals and stamp the dry erase gameboard with their token stamper to win. Families and friends can create memories with the Travel Journal cards, which become part of the gameplay in future games, and learn fun facts about locations across the globe along the way. Perfect for travel buffs, this edition of the Monopoly game is a fun option for a family games night and is ideal for kids aged eight and up.
Cartamundi also has distribution rights for the award-winning Twisted History board game, which takes players on a journey through seven twisted eras of history, answering multiple choice questions about the gruesome side of History that isn’t taught at school.
Families can also bring out their competitive side this festive season with Amscan’s new Christmas themed bingo. Complete with plenty of Bingo cards, players tick off all of the Festive Friends characters on their card to win. Play using counters or pencil to reuse the following year. The pack comprises a perforated sheet of caller images and 16 double sided bingo cards for even more chances to win. There’s also a certificate for whoever calls ‘gingerbread house’ first.
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Arriving just in time for Christmas, Amscan’s new Pin the Carrot on the Snowman game comes complete with a large poster of the snowman, a blindfold to prevent peeking, a numbered sticker sheet so players can keep track of who comes the closest to the target, and a winner’s certificate.
PlayMonster UK is fuelling its expansion with a host of fun games with new ways to play.
The famous 5 Second Rule portfolio continues to pick up awards for the latest releases. With strong sales, the 5 Second Rule range has a game designed to suit every play scenario and age group.
From classics such as Jurassic Park and The Breakfast Club to festive favourites It’s a Wonderful Life and The Office Christmas Party, TV and film buffs will be able to bond with all the family and reignite friendly rivalries around the dinner table during the festivities. What’s more, the innovative game is built on a cloud platform, allowing access across all devices with internet access including TV, tablet and mobile, and regularly refreshing content with the latest pop culture moments for a unique gameplay experience every time.
The range continues to succeed with new content in 2022 and a new 5 Second Rule Uncensored Round 2, that will be launched autumn/winter 22.
Exciting new family games include the revitalisation of the classic Fraidy Cats, which has a lively motorised Mugs the Pug pinging cats off the fence and packaging which doubles up as the gameboard. As a core product, Fraidy Cats will be supported with a TV, Digital and PR campaign from September. Great for parties, Switch 16 is a new fast-paced game that combines the luck of the dice as well as cards. New travel games include Neighbour Hoodies, the card game where being different counts.
PlayMonster UK 01628 488944 | trade@playmonsteruk.com | www.playmonsteruk.com
UK is also introducing a range of animal related pre-school games with exciting game play. Off the Rails features Ted the Tortoise, who has fallen asleep in his moving train. Speeding ever faster toward unfinished track, the aim is to lay pieces to prevent Ted from falling off the rails. In Whose Nest, Crafty Croc has stolen all the eggs. It’s a race to return to the eggs to the nest, hatching chicks instead of baby crocs. Flippity Frog is a fun memory game with a twist, where no route is the same. Players must help mummy frog safely deliver her froglets home or it will be dinner time for the big bad fish. PlayMonster UK is supporting its game portfolio with TV campaigns, YouTube connected TV, paid social media across Facebook, Instagram and TikTok, plus influencer and PR campaigns. campaigns start from September and run through to December.
Moose Toys 01637 882 200 | www.moosetoys.com
The new Puzzled range innovates with a combination of fun and fast-paced game play coupled with the problem-solving ability of a puzzle. Players must pitch against each other with a spinner in a race to complete their puzzle sections and get around the board first to win. The large, circular gameboard also doubles up as a puzzle, while a ‘find the hidden objects’ game completes the entertainment. With three games to choose from, Doggy Dash, Farmyard Fun Run and Space Race, Puzzled encourages educational learning, collaborative play and turn taking with 3-in-1 ways to play.PlayMonster
Clipology, a new streaming board game featuring real clips from the world’s best content for TV and film lovers, is launching in time for Christmas gifting. ‘Tis the season to watch festive shows and play board games and now the two biggest joys of Christmas have finally come together. Clipology is a brand-new interactive streaming experience featuring the world’s most iconic TV and movie content. This screen-time meets pop culture and trivia game features more than 12 video puzzlers, providing the perfect gift for pop-culture fans.
Amscan 01908 288500 | www.amscan.co.uk
The finest puzzle experience Our contact in UK: Ria SJRSteveRichardsonRichardsonAssociates Phone numbers: 07877 443733 07850 779797 E-mail: sales@sjr-associates.co.uk Assambled puzzles do not fall apart when carried NEW & UNIQUEpuzzle series withspecial features
The one-star reviews will make players laugh out loud and the game promises plenty of fun as everyone comes up with their own reviews. Karen is ideal for playing with a group of friends as a party game. Are there more wheels or doors in the whole world? Inspired by the social media phenomenon, Wheels vs Doors has been launched by Matt Edmondson's Format Games and will be distributed by Asmodee.
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Clementoni has also added to its licensed puzzle portfolio with stunning product to support the 2022 cinematic releases of Jurassic World Dominion and Minons: The Rise of Gru. The new titles add to the impressive licensed category including the company’s partnership with Harry Potter across UK/Europe which continues to go from strength to strength. The range of puzzles for adults and children includes the Impossible 1000-piece, Panorama 1000 piece, and more.
The game involves three different types of ‘review cards’. Players must either guess what is being reviewed (eg: ‘Bought this and it didn’t come filled. Livid. Costs more to fill than it costs to buy.’ Answer: paddling pool), fill in the blanks or write their own review. One player acts as the host in each round, who reads out the card and asks all the players to write down a review they think will fool everyone else. Meanwhile, the host writes the real review (shown on the bottom of the card) on a slip of paper. They then gather in all the answers and shuffle them together, before reading them out for everyone to hear. If players guess correctly, they get a point - but they can also win points if other players pick their fake answer instead of the real one.
Disney has been a key licence for Clementoni for some time and stunning visuals of well-loved characters appear in a wide selection of puzzle formats, with varying price points to appeal to different audiences. Clementoni is renowned for its high quality in terms of materials and precision crafting and the latest launches add to an impressive portfolio of generic products as well as licences from major TV and movie properties.
The new party game Karen has been launched by television and Sony Awardnominated radio presenter Matt Edmondson along with his brother-in-law and business partner, Laurence Emmett.
For over 50 years, Clementoni has been a pioneer of jigsaw puzzles, producing high quality product that taps into market trends, consumer interests and popular licences. The Clementoni range continues to expand through innovative ideas, strategic partnerships and interesting features for people of all ages. Clementoni is thrilled to announce its partnership with Netflix phenomenon Stranger Things which sees incredible imagery and memorable scenes from the show in a spectacular range of puzzles including a 1000-piece, a Panorama 1000 piece and Clementoni’s signature Impossible format With high quality design at its core, Clementoni has released the Cult Movies, a range of puzzles featuring iconic movies captured in jigsaw format and packaged in a retro video cassette case. Titles include Jaws, Back to the Future, The Goonies, The Big Lebowski, and Blues Brothers.
This fun card game will have players in stitches as they attempt to convince their friends that they are the real Karen. Each player must sneak their own fake complaints in amongst amusing one-star reviews found online. Players vote for the most convincing ‘Karen’ answers, and the aim of the game is to try and convince their opponents that theirs is the real answer. This game isn’t about getting the correct answer, it’s about coming up with funny suggestions and tricking the other players into believing the new creation is the real complaint.
Asmodee 01420 593 593 | www.asmodee.co.uk
Clementoni 0203 206 1397 | www.clementoni.com | clemuk@clementoni.com
The game is sure to spark some entertaining debates between players while they decide if there are more of one thing or another in the world. For example: are there more movies featuring The Rock or casinos on the Vegas strip? Wheels vs Doors is a 2-6 player game, but can also be played in teams. Each player or team is given betting chips. Players start by picking five random face-down wheels or doors cards from a stack. To win cards, players must make their bets by placing their chosen number of chips onto one of the two Vs. cards, depending on which they think there are more of in the world. Players who guess correctly win as many wheels or doors cards as the number of chips they bet, and the reverse if they lose. The winner is the first player or team to collect 10 wheels cards or 10 doors cards.
Tomy 01392 281927 | www.tomy.com Global toy manufacturer Tomy continues to build on its reputation in the industry with a host of new games appealing to all sectors of the market from adults and families to children and preschool.
Trefl SA is one of the biggest manufacturers of games and puzzles in Europe. It is a family company and since its foundation in 1985, continues to strengthen its position by constantly expanding its product portfolio.
Trefl’s products are targeted at adults as well as children and are based on wellknown and popular characters. It holds most of the major licences for children’s puzzles including those from Disney, Warner, Hasbro, Mattel and Paramount. It also has a wide portfolio of licensed games. Trefl manufactures its products in a large and fully controlled production facility in Poland. In 2020, Trefl opened a new research and development center, which it used to improve new product development, mainly in puzzles and games. Considerable investment was also made during 2020 on machinery in order to increase production capabilities to meet the global demand of its products. In 2021, Trefl began working on creating a brand-new puzzle line with Trefl Prime Unlimited Fit Technology. The Trefl Prime series was created for true jigsaw puzzle lovers. The special technology allows the puzzle enthusiast to put together any number of images into one large composition. In addition, through the use of the thick paperboard, unique shapes of puzzle pieces and special cutting method, the entire jigsaw puzzle can be easily carried around, enabling puzzlers to create their own collage from the Trefl Prime jigsaw puzzles. As a company, Trefl prides itself in being flexible and listening to its customers. It engages with them to understand their needs and expectations, so that it can make further improvements and create even more exciting products.Formore information, please contact Trefl’s UKSteverepresentativesRichardsonorRiaRichardsonatSJRAssociatesontheemailabovetoarrangeanappointment.
The Logo Board Game - Second Edition and Articulate! were two of the Drumond Park brand’s biggest launches this year. With no plans to slow down, the brand has committed to providing both games with a full media campaign this autumn and winter season to continue building on their success. In addition to this is the launch of Link Logo – The Linking, Thinking Picture game. A twist on the traditional Logo Board Game, Link Logo is a game of cards where players are challenged to find the link between the six pictures on the card. Players will go head-to-head in two teams or in a one-on-one race to find the link. Tomy is also looking to expand its range of games available under its own label, with the addition of a host of children and family-friendly games. Rumble in the Jungle, Shake Your Stories and Beat the Camera are all welcome additions to the brand’s children’s games portfolio, with Shake Your Stories a first of its kind in the market. The interactive game encourages players to use sounds and their imagination to create amazing stories. Players simply shake to hear a sound and start creating their story using that sound. With over 150+ sounds to stimulate players’ imaginations, the possibilities are endless. Deface Race is a new addition to Tomy’s impressive list of family-friendly games, perfect for getting everyone involved. Deface Race is the speedy scribbling challenge that brings out the secret graffiti artist in players. The artistic game splits players into two teams where they must pick a picture card for everyone to see and glance at the three secret options on the next character card. They are then timed to start scribbling over the picture card with the dry-wipe pen. As soon as a player guesses correctly, another card is picked, and the activity repeated. The team with the most correct guesses at the end wins. The Fat Brain portfolio of games also welcomes its latest addition with Triggle - the territory-grabbing challenge. Players’ strategy skills will be stretched in this game, with deception intertwined into every move. Supported by a strong digital media campaign, Triggle is sure to be a hit with fans of Pythagoras.
World Games & Puzzles
Toy Trefl SA www.trefl.com | sales@sjr-associates.co.uk | 07850 779797
FunkoEurope funko_europe FunkoEurope © & TM WBEI & Uni. © USC LCC © Moonbug © & TM WBEI© 2022 MARVEL For more information, get in touch: NewTradeEnquiries.EMEA@Funko.com games.funkoeurope.com For the full collection
