TWM Games & Puzzles September 2023

Games & Puzzles Category Overview

Well played

The Games & Puzzles supercategory is a real bright spot within the wider toy industry, continuing to expand both in terms of new products and sales. Historically a standout performer in Q4, the category is set to benefit from some highly anticipated launches and the comeback of organised play and in-store demos. Toy World speaks to a number of leading games and puzzles suppliers as it pieces together a picture of what there is for retailers to play for this year.

According to Circana’s Rory Partis, Games & Puzzles is now the fourth largest supercategory in the UK Toy market, ahead of Action Figures, Dolls and Plush. Impressively, it’s also the fastest growing (YTD July 2023), up +11% compared to the overall market trend ( -4%) and adding over £9m additional sales versus the same time period last year. While the category undoubtedly benefited from lockdowns in 2020 and 2021, leading some to believe that subsequent years would be challenging in comparison, continued growth in 2023 indicates that consumers are still seeking out and purchasing entertainment for the home in the form of games and puzzles.

The majority of Games & Puzzles sales are in the last three months of the year: in 2022, Q4 Games & Puzzles sales accounted for 54% of the annual total. But what about the first nine months of 2023what have been the standout best-sellers and new launches so far? The variety of top performing games and games brand are testament to the breadth of this category. Hasbro has launched the eagerlyawaited The Lord of the Rings: Tales of Middle-earth into the Magic: The Gathering universe during the brand’s 30th anniversary year. According to Craig Wilkins, senior vice president Marketing – Hasbro, EMEA, LATAM, Asia & Pacific, the new addition not only allows existing players to join the Fellowship for the very first time but has also enticed a whole

new audience into the world of Magic. Pokémon remains huge for Asmodee, remaining one of the most frequently mentioned brands by our retail contributors, issue after issue, while Anil Boodhoo, sales director at Asmodee UK, says Dobble – currently the No. 4 game in the UK – likewise continues to hold its own with the launch of Dobble Connect. Mattel, meanwhile, is keeping its Uno brand fresh with new additions including Uno Flip and All Wild. The latest Circana data shows Uno to be the best-selling game so far this year.

At party games specialist Big Potato, Herd Mentality - now a firm fan favourite with the company’s core audience - continues to perform strongly, paving the way for its successors, Herd

Moovies and Moosic, which arrive later this year. P for Pizza has also been making headlines on TikTok: the platform’s users are apparently showing the game a lot of love, leading to it selling out multiple times. As for new games, Block Party is already off to a great start, with indies loving how visual it is and how well it lends itself to big group get-togethers. In Puzzles, the King’s Coronation saw Gibsons Games’ Coronation of the King jigsaw puzzle become an overnight best-seller, reaching the coveted No. 1 spot on Amazon. Kate Gibson, managing director, Gibsons Games, says: “Capturing the essence of memorable events, with fantastic images that our puzzlers love, is something we pride ourselves on.” Games is actually showing growth across all age groups, with Children’s Games up +7%, Pre-School Games up +6%, and Adult Games up +14%. Family Strategy Games is also growing, up +6%, with Dungeons and Dragons benefitting from the movie release earlier in the year. Sales of the new Dungeons & Dragons Starter Set, Dragons of Stormwreck Isle, are expected to remain strong: Craig Wilkins says newbies to the franchise appreciate the accessible entry it offers. Keys from the Golden Vault, meanwhile, will appeal to existing players, particularly as the franchise heads into its 50th anniversary year in 2024.

Classics, too, continue to hold their own. Classic Monopoly is actually the No. 2 best-selling game in the UK right now, just behind Uno, and Scrabble, still a mainstay in homes across the nation, has been celebrating its 75th anniversary this year.

Although licensed Games are a relatively small part of the market, at 15% market share, Circana’s Rory Partis says they are growing and gaining share. Similarly, Licensed Puzzles are a growth area in the Puzzles subcategory, accounting for a third of overall sales. Indeed, there have been some major licensed launches this year which have brought fresh gameplay and fan-favourite franchises to the market like never before. Mattel’s Uno brand has welcomed Barbie and Super Mario licensed versions, Gibsons has been enjoying strong demand for its Paddington and Care Bear Puzzles, and fans will see Doctor Who land in Magic: The Gathering Universes Beyond in time for Christmas, offering fans the opportunity to meet companions, defeat foes and travel in the TARDIS.

Asmodee, meanwhile, says the launch of its Star Wars Shatterpoint miniatures game has ‘absolutely exceeded’ its expectations. Roger Martin, Hobby & Independent Channel director, says: “This game empowers players to alter the fate of the galaxy, from the Core Worlds to the Outer Rim, tasking them with building and commanding a strike team and pitting them against each other in battle. Loyal fans and players new to the Star Wars universe alike have been feeding back their enjoyment of this kind of gameplay.”

However, the standout subcategory is Strategic Trading Card Games, accounting for 40% of all game spend and growing +35% (YTD July 2023), making it the fastest growing subclass across the total toys industry in the UK so far this year. Pokémon remains dominant, with Magic: The Gathering and Yu-Gi-Oh! from Konami gaining momentum, but all eyes are on Ravensburger’s recently released Disney Lorcana, which is now available across all retail channels. The build up to the launch has been long and strategic, but the work that has gone into it behind the scenes is now paying off, as Katy Fletcher, head of Marketing

and Product Development at Ravensburger, explains. “The reaction to Disney Lorcana has been amazing, perhaps even overwhelming,” Katy enthuses. “With more than three years’ worth of development, you’d expect it to be amazing, but we, and Disney, are very proud of what’s been achieved. We’ve had a great couple of weeks since launching with hobby and specialist stores on 18th August, followed by wider retail on 1st September. The launch programme is replicated world-wide and includes the USA and Canada, France, Germany, Austria, The Netherlands and Italy.”

Ravensburger attended the UK Games Expo in June. The event marked the public’s first opportunity to enjoy a game of Lorcana and the queues were reportedly ‘phenomenal’. Ravensburger’s event team was joined by Ryan Miller, one of the game’s co-creators, who spent time playing with visitors. His appearance was especially exciting to core gaming fans. More recently, Ravensburger experienced unprecedented overnight queues at Gen Con (a wellestablished US consumer gaming event), populated by fans prepared to wait - and wait - to get their hands on product, which went on sale exclusively at this event ahead of general launch.

The Disney Lorcana Organised Play programme kicked off on 18th August. Katy says that pre-launch, all of the 100+ approved venues were fully booked, while two stores (Manchester and Belfast) even opened at one minute past midnight to cater to eager fans.

“Players and community are critical components of a successful TCG launch and our investment in this space has proven this to be true,” Katy explains, when asked why Ravensburger felt it so important to launch Disney Lorcana with an organised play programme in place. “Hobby and specialist stores are nourishers of the TCG community and the stewards of our organised play programme, which includes Tournamentcenter’s support in the UK. As such, it is important that we support them and show their value as we progress beyond launch with a continued

community programme of engagement.”

Organised play in general has made something of a comeback in 2023, after being left fallow for a few years following the pandemic. The Play! Pokémon Program continues to attract new retailers, with Will’s Toy Shop in Aberdeen hoping to become one of the brand’s newest official League locations (readers can find out more about this in the Talking Shop feature in our main issue). Konami’s special 250th Yu-Gi-Oh! Championship Series (YCS) event took place in London at the start of April, and the UK National Championship took place in late May at the National Exhibition Centre in Birmingham. The 2023 World Championship tournament, meanwhile, reached its conclusion on Sunday 6th August at the Tokyo Big Sight (Tokyo International Exhibition Center) in Japan. The highly anticipated tournament, returning for the first time since 2019, crowned World Champions in three different, closely fought categories. Readers can find out more about these events on p.26.

Konami continues to press ahead with its Official Tournament Store (OTS) programme too, welcoming applications from retailers who feel their store can become the ‘third place’ for Yu-Gi-Oh! duelists. Enrico Tassinari, head of TCG Sales, explains: “Home is the first place and work is the second place, while the third place is where we like to spend our time. That’s what we want our retailers’ spaces to feel like for our fans.”

Then there’s Hasbro’s Wizards Play Network (WPN), a global community of over 7,000 game stores bringing Magic: The Gathering and Dungeons & Dragons players together to share their love of playing the games. According to the company, WPN stores receive access to exclusive events and promotions, personalised support from its global retail development team, and exclusive materials, including promo packs, marketing tools and special products which are only available at WPN locations. As in-store play ramps up, so too does at-home play. A number of our contributors, including

Circana and Mattel, have suggested that poor summer weather and the impact of the cost of living crisis are encouraging consumers to stay in and play games as an alternative to a more expensive night out. When asked what he feels is driving sales of VR Distribution’s popular party games, Stewart Middleton, a consultant for the company, says: “There are a number of factors, but consumers are definitely not spending like they used to, and they’re not wanting to spend money on evenings and meals out when they could stay in and have fun instead. Because party games are easy to learn, fun and fast paced, most game play lasts just 10-15 mins. Also, most party games are all inclusive at all times, so people don’t get bored.”

Stewart continues: “It’s 10 years since Cards Against Humanity and five years since What Do You Meme launched, so party games are definitely not a fad - they are here to stay. We have experienced double digit growth this year, with the most significant growth on spin off versions. What Do You Meme (WDYM) has been a huge seller for four years now, consistently selling over 100k units a year. Brand awareness is high, so when we launched WDYM Family it didn’t take long for the marketing and awareness to kick in. It’s now selling at almost the same level as the main game. The original was 18+ and the Family version is 8+, so this has opened the party game up to a much wider age range.”

Ellie Bavester, marketing manager at Big Potato Games, says that while her team hasn’t witnessed a big change in the type of games that people are buying, it’s definitely seeing people choose more cost-effective ways to spend a night in. “From games for two, perfect for a cheap date night, to big party games that can entertain the whole family over the summer, it’s evident that people are choosing longterm entertainment over one-off activities like a trip to the cinema,” she notes.

Those seeking something a little different to play on a family night in will enjoy Hitster, the US bestseller from James Galt & Co. under its Jumbo brand. Marking a significant step change for the company, which thus far has specialised in puzzles, Hitster is a fast-paced music card game (and a favourite release of Toy World’s John Baulch). Players use Spotify to listen to songs and guess the year they were released.

“Following its incredible success in Europe, I (as well as the rest of the Galt Toys team) am thrilled to launch Hitster in the UK

under the Jumbo brand,” says Hannah Preston, social media manager, Galt Toys. “I’m incredibly excited about Hitster. Party games is a new area for the company, and what better time for a game like this to hit the market but summer. As both a game fanatic and a music lover, Hitster is the perfect combination for me, promising an unforgettable game of laughter plus plenty of singing and dancing with family and friends. With over 300 of the greatest hits from the last 100 years, it really does have something for everyone.”

The team at Asmodee lands somewhere in the middle of going out and staying in: Roger Martin notes that while many people are indeed looking for more cost-effective leisure pursuits at the moment, and that board games can obviously meet that need, games cafes are perhaps the perfect solution for spending-savvy consumers. He says: “We know that playing board games brings people into a really welcoming community, so it’s no surprise that we’re seeing games cafes still doing really well. Having our titles in popular games cafes means consumers can enjoy getting hands-on with our games on their evening out, without having to break the bank.” Anil adds that consumers are still happy to invest in a board game that has a higher price point and a longer game time, because they’re seen as good value when compared to a more expensive leisure hobby. Quick to play, affordable games such as Bananagrams and Dobble have also proved resilient in the market as they’re fun, high energy and simple to master.

Gisbons Games is keen to also highlight the inexpensive and stress-relieving nature of jigsaw puzzling. Kate Gibson tells us: “Puzzling is a hobby, a way to switch off from the stress of everyday life and relatively inexpensive. Our puzzlers know what they like and are looking for, so whilst the quantity they buy in a year may have been temporarily impacted, the types of puzzles they know and love remain high on their list. We’re still seeing plenty of demand for nostalgia, both in terms of scenes and brands, but we’re also championing new artists and artwork, particularly with our White Logo range. We’re

extremely excited to be collaborating with the Art File on a new range of jigsaw puzzles, which is already proving popular at retail.”

As attention turns to Christmas, Gibsons is confident that its predictions for this festive season’s best-sellers will bear out. Its TfL range of puzzles and games, from family game Race the Rails to the perennial card game Mind the Gap, continues to be a best-seller and its titles are very popular as gifts and tourist purchases. The Gibsons Christmas Limited Edition puzzle, meanwhile, is now in its 21st year, and collectors are already patiently waiting to get their hands on it. Kate says that this year, the puzzle has benefited from a new box design which lends it a luxurious feel and offers increased shelf-appeal. Gibsons also relaunched the classic strategy game Kingmaker this year, much to the delight of the gaming community. Sales are already exceeding expectations.

Anil at Asmodee says the launch of Pokémon Scarlet and Violet 151 is something the team is looking forward to. “Fans will be pleased to know the release is based on the original 151 Pokémon found in the Kanto region, bringing modern artwork and designs to classic and much-loved Pokémon,” he explains. “These lines will be launching in September and October and should be highly collectible.” Emily Catchpole, national account manager at Asmodee, is tipping Dobble Connect and Dixit Disney to be Christmas favourites among families and children, and Toodles as a party hit. She adds: “Dixit Disney sees the beloved modern classic, Dixit, meet the Disney universe. It has 84 brand new cards and is based on famous Disney and Pixar movies, which we know will appeal to all.”

Emily also expects the company’s new Bridgerton game, which ‘translates the intrigue and garden politics of Netflix’s period drama into a contest of subtle dance moves and subtler scheming’, to be a popular gifting purchase at Christmas (and beyond), and Roger Martin is hanging his hat on Ticket to Ride Legacy, which invites players to embark on a journey across 12 games. He says: “As in previous instalments in the series, this game can be learned quickly and provides a more immersive and narrative experience that should please every fan of the franchise, while also providing an entry point for those still unfamiliar with this best-selling title.”

Squishmallows is expected to jump aisles this Christmas, going from a plush best-seller to a games best-seller thanks to the new Squishmallows Take 4 from VR Distribution’s What Do You Meme? The game challenges players to collect four of a Squad before their opponents, but if a player reaches for the same card as someone else, both have to race to grab the exclusive Benny The Bigfoot Squishmallow in the centre. VR also expects big things from What Do You Meme?’s Who Killed Mia?, which arrives this month supported by a unique global launch campaign.

Christmas sees Big Potato place an emphasis on multi-generational family games, which is why Ellie and her colleagues are excited about Chicken VS Hotdog, Sounds Fishy and Herd Mentality. She says: “They all performed really well last year, and with even more marketing support behind them this year, we can’t wait to see how they do.”

Marketing campaigns are gathering pace across the board, as anyone who’s already read our big feature in the main issue on Pre-Christmas Marketing Campaigns will know. Mattel, which expects its new Uno extension, Uno Quatro, to be a festive fave, arguably leads the pack on marketing, with campaigns spanning a huge number of touchpoints supporting its beloved brands. A new brand campaign, ‘Fun Beyond Words’, will spell out success for Scrabble this Christmas, with digital, social and BVOD marketing celebrating 75 years of the iconic game, and there will also be a fun new TV campaign on Uno family games this autumn/winter. Kelly Philp, Mattel UK’s marketing director, tells Toy World that the company is also launching a top-secret new product. She explains: “Our new game remains strictly under wraps for now, but I can tell you it will

benefit from a full 360 marketing campaign with bespoke presence on Meta, TikTok and Snapchat, TV, and a noisy PR campaign this Christmas. The games market has been crying out for a new viral game and we think we have it this year – we can’t wait to share it with your readers. Plus, we have digital campaigns across our kids’ games, so that Mattel Games will be everywhere our consumers are.”

Big Potato is leaning heavily into the power of social media to boost the presence of its games this Christmas. The company says it is enjoying experimenting with TikTok, more specifically TikTok Shop. Ellie Bavester says the indie company has seen strong organic growth over the past eight months and is now focusing on making sure that all its key games and new releases get their moment to shine. Big Potato is also working with TikTok creators via its influencer platform, TikTok Creator Marketplace, to reach new micro-communities, and has been pleased with the results of its new year-long ambassador partnership with TikTok’s ‘favourite family’, @ItsDaddyMay. Q4 also sees Big Potato launch a bigger media campaign to support its two best-sellers, Chicken Vs Hotdog and Sounds Fishy.

To support its new music game, Hitster, Jumbo has prepared an exciting marketing programme that includes experiential activations at music festivals and collaborations with influencers and celebrities. Additionally, a heavyweight digital marketing plan has been prepared across YouTube, Instagram and TikTok, supported by an always-on campaign, ensuring wide-ranging visibility and appeal to target consumers.

Hasbro’s Craig Wilkins says the Games & Puzzles category, and the company’s brands specifically, lend

themselves to all marketing formats, and that it’ll continue to drive demand not only for Christmas but also throughout early 2024. “From looking at some of our biggest franchises in a whole new way, to unveiling innovation that needs to be experienced to be believed, we will be using all forms of media, communications, partnerships and events to bring our games to life, delivering a whole new level of excitement,” he explains.

Craig goes on to add that Hasbro’s relationships with its retail partners continue to be of the highest importance. The company has devised a wide range of retail campaigns to support its partners this Christmas, all of which will continue to drive demand for its portfolio of games. For example, for the innovative new Twister Air (a highlight of Toy World’s trip to Nuremberg in February), Hasbro is setting up game demonstrations across multiple retailers throughout the year, giving customers the chance to experience the game first hand.

Indeed, a number of our contributors are bringing demos back to stores this Q4. One of those is Asmodee, which is prioritising in-store demonstrations in the months ahead, fuelled by the knowledge that getting a game into consumers’ hands is a powerful selling tool. Emily says: “We’re excited to be running in-store demonstrations in key retailers including Waterstones and John Lewis. It’s fantastic to be able to shout about our games directly to the consumers and share our enthusiasm for our roster of great titles. We’ve been thrilled to see Waterstones expand its games portfolio this year and are delighted to support them on an early launch of Dixit Disney for their Game of the Month programme.”

Disney Lorcana stockists will also be supported with ongoing demo days and artist signings for Disney fans and collectors, plus POS and promo cards. There will be a shopping centre tour later this autumn with a retail partner to be announced in due course. Ravensburger is also sponsoring the Disney Lorcana TCG Hub at the Big Christmas Press Show in September, showcasing the game at the largest seasonal media event of the year. Ongoing marketing initiatives include digital advertising, influencer campaigns, Disney collabs and consumer-facing events.

“The core TCG fans have already established their Disney Lorcana community and are using social platforms to engage with each other and try to second guess what’s coming next, share tips and discuss game-play best practice,” adds Katy Fletcher, further highlighting the game’s momentum even at this early stage. “Similarly, the official Disney Lorcana social media platforms receive continued commentary, and media interest continues to grow, particularly with general consumer titles as the game picks up pace following launch.”

Before we dive into the Toy World Games & Puzzles supplement in earnest, which brings readers all the latest information on hot new launches, behind the scenes developments and the most up-and-coming games companies, we’ll leave you with this charming comment from Hasbro’s Craig Wilkins: “Over the last year, my young daughters have really developed a love for gaming, which has allowed us to spend quality time together as a family, playing classics like Guess Who?, Connect 4 and Downfall. We’ll treasure these moments forever and it really highlights to me just how special our category is - and how lucky I am to work in such an incredible industry.”

Hear, hear!

Talking Shop

Fun and Games

Marianna Casal catches up with indie retailers to find out all about their Games and Puzzles offering, what’s selling and how they expect Christmas trading to be this year.

Jim Harding - Bristol Independent Gaming – Bristol

WWe’re a family-run gaming venue and hobby store. We’re a place where people can spend time doing what they enjoy or can visit to buy the latest games and miniatures.

Sales have been fairly consistent all year with the exception of big game releases which cause spikes. We have been open for 10 years and we haven’t noticed any particularly slow or busy times – trade is very steady.

Although sales don’t change much with the seasons, summer sees a rise in the sales of travel games and ‘caravan card games’ – that’s what we call them – neatly packaged and simple to play games which families can enjoy on a rainy day in their holiday caravans. Games selling well this summer are Cockroach Poker and Taco Cat Goat Cheese Pizza among other sub-£20 games. Once Christmas approaches, we sell more larger board games for families to play on boxing day together.

As well as a store, we are a gaming events venue and community hub. Events include wargaming and tabletop board gaming tournaments, and we are now setting up role-play days too. We’re expecting Dungeons and Dragons to be a popular role-play idea, but there are many more different potential games. We’re situated in an industrial estate above a factory, so we have a lot of space and a lot of terrain making these events possible.

The events give people a reason to come and spend 4-4.5 hours playing their hobby and socialising, and we can provide lunch and evening meals. While they’re here, they can look around the shop and make a purchase. And on the other hand, people who come to shop may see the event and realise that they want to try out a new activity. We open until 11pm on weekdays so a lot of people spend their evenings here on a weekly basis. We charge only £5 to take part in activities and on Tuesday nights it’s free. If funds are limited, customers want bang for their buck, and coming here is much better value than going to the cinema.

There are some new Zombie themed board games coming to the store which we saw at Games Expo, and we will be bringing in Cosmoctapus when it comes off Kickstarter, probably for 2024.

I don’t think the cost of living crisis will impact sales much. Board games and hobby games are not too expensive and provide a lot of entertainment. It’s fun for the whole family which is cost effective over Christmas.

The store also offers commission miniature painting, which I do myself, but I’m beginning to do more 3D printing which is a lot less time-consuming.

If anyone is interested in taking part in one of our events, our weekly timetable is on our website www. bristolindependentgaming.co.uk

Summer sales have been a little better than they usually are at this time of year. On the games front, some of our best-sellers have been Mattel’s Uno and Winning Moves’ Pass the Pigs – basically anything that is portable and that you can fit in your bag. It helps that there are options for all ages at affordable price points. We have also seen good sales from companies like Big Potato Games, which has been promoting its pocket- and full-sized games - including Herd Mentality and Sounds Fishy - on Instagram.

Certain niche games from Asmodee have also been popular, such as Cobra Paw and Unstable Unicorns, and we have expanded our Dobble offering with newer versions, inspired by McDonalds giving away Dobble cards with its Happy Meals, which should be encouraging customers to try it out.

As for jigsaw puzzles, they are strong for us all year round. During lockdown, we expanded our range and have tried to focus on great quality puzzles that are made in the UK, so they have a small carbon footprint. As well as traditional puzzles, we like to stock designs which are a little bit different, such as unusually shaped puzzle pieces.

We are looking forward to the launch of the Toymaster Christmas catalogue, which usually kickstarts the festive season. Christmas this year may be a bit tougher

for us as we have a Smyths opening on the edge of town this September. We will have to focus on our strengths and be a bit more niche, while also looking to make better use of our social media channels, creating Facebook videos and exploring Instagram. We’ll remind people of who we are and what we do and the benefits of shopping with a specialist which has amazing product knowledge and personal customer service.

The local community is important to us; we are on the lookout for a game or range that we can promote in conjunction with one of our local charities, by offering to donate £5-£10 from the sale of each game. We did this a couple of years ago when the Lakes Monopoly was launched, and we ended up donating about £1,200.

We are feeling positive about our Games and Puzzles range for Christmas. The category will always be an important one at the time of year when families get together and have time to do puzzles and play games together; it's a family tradition in most households to get a new game every Christmas. We will encourage people to continue to come to us for their purchases. Our local Business Improvement District board will be running events from now until Christmas to increase footfall in the town centre and we will capitalise on these events by running special offers and promotions.

Phil Heath - Heaths Toymaster - Barrow-in-Furness

Talking Shop

This summer has been positive in terms of the number of customers visiting us. We always have a spike in summer, as well as at Christmas, because of our varied product range. Families, couples and groups of friends are always looking for a game to take with them on holiday, whether that’s in this country or abroad.

Although the overall footfall trend has returned to what it was pre-Covid, the items customers are purchasing have changed quite considerably. The average spend per transaction is a lot lower – those medium-weight product sales have fallen dramatically, and now the cheaper, £20 games are more popular. We had already started to notice this change last Christmas, so for this year we will be putting a lot more emphasis on our stocking filler range than we have previously. Fortunately, we are still seeing excellent footfall overall – many customers still want to come in because games are their hobby. But we are having to work a lot harder to achieve the same turnover.

New releases help bring customers in. Many of the more quirky board games have proved popular, as well as escape room type games. In the summer, traditional outdoor games add to sales; games such as Mölkky from Tactic make ideal garden games or are bought to take on camping trips.

We carry a wide range of games from big players such as Asmodee, but also offer titles which customers may not see everywhere. This is something we have become known for and is a real footfall driver. We are selling a lot more European games now compared to 10 years ago when we

mainly shipped from North America.

We are however very excited to be bringing in Ravenburger’s Disney Lorcana Trading Card Game and Pokémon 151 cards, which we anticipate will be bestselling lines this Q3 and Q4.

June saw the return of our annual board game festival

which we haven’t run since pre-Covid times - last year everyone was still a bit nervous about being with big groups of people again. It was really nice having it back – that’s where we get to meet the customers in a more relaxed and fun environment and in addition, we get to play as well. We’re very thankful to those who came back.

summer months. It always surprises us that Christmas or winter-themed puzzles sell all year round. The latest releases from Gibsons autumn range, most of which had a festive theme, have sold well even though the sun has been shining.

One area of speciality for us, being based in Yorkshire, is a section dedicated to Yorkshire-themed puzzles. These always prove popular with holiday makers visiting the area, who like to take home a puzzle as a memento of their trip.

Looking at the best-selling products since the beginning of the year, the list contains all the puzzles that were produced for the Coronation of King Charles. The latest Wasgij puzzles feature on the list too; a range which is always very popular, and Jumbo brings out new titles frequently to keep aficionados interested. New puzzles from Gibsons deigned by artist Val Goldfinch have also sold very well.

With regards the cost of living, we are lucky that as a hobby, jigsaw puzzles are not too expensive, with an average retail price of £15-£16. This gives customers a good few days or weeks of enjoyment – and they don’t need expensive equipment to indulge in puzzles as a pastime. So, the state of economy hasn’t really affected sales much.

WWe’re a family-run business based in North Yorkshire, and we stock more than 2,000 jigsaw puzzles from all the major brands and for all ages. Our shop was a newsagent for 50 years but in 2014, the Yorkshire Jigsaw Store was born. As well as our shop, which is a destination for jigsaw puzzle enthusiasts, we run a popular online store.

This year, sales throughout the summer have been pretty good considering everything else that is going on at the moment. We always see a spike in sales whenever a manufacturer releases new titles; we use our email marketing list to notify our customers about the new lines

and this always prompts an influx of sales. We are looking to add even more new brands to our range to increase the variety that we stock and to try and offer customers products which they can’t find in every store or on every website. Although we do stock all the big names, we don’t only want to offer mainstream brands. By continually being on the lookout for new ranges, and sourcing from overseas as well as the UK, we try to offer our customers a greater range and something different. This year we added Cobble Hill which has proved very popular, and we have more companies lined up to add in the near future.

At the moment, we have lots of puzzles with a summer theme, but we don’t see an increase in sales during the

This year we are hoping for a much better Christmas than last. Of course, a large proportion of our annual turnover comes in the 12-week run up to Christmas. Last Christmas didn’t live up to our expectations owing mainly to the Royal Mail strikes. This badly affected buyer confidence in placing orders, not knowing if the delivery would be made in time. Looking ahead to the festive season, we will make sure that we keep our bricks and mortar store really well stocked to offer the best possible choice to our customers, as well as ensure we have plenty of stock in our warehouse for our online sales.

Ian Davis - Rules of Play, Cardiff

Mark Green - Yorkshire Jigsaw Store – Easingwold, North Yorkshire

Company Profile

Cartamundi here and now

from heritage to the

Cartamundi, a worldwide leader in games production, board and card games, and playing cards, has recently undergone something of a transformation that promises to put the emphasis on building brands and community construction. Rachael Simpson-Jones sat down with Andrew Brown, marketing director for Northern Europe, and Nigel Kay, the company’s recently appointed sales director, to find out more.

launched this year. Our focus is on building out our brands, placing play at the heart of everything we do.”

According to Nigel, this new structure allows each division to provide the service and support their respective channels require, while Andrew adds that the demarcation between divisions offers employees the opportunity to hone in on their specialities and unlock their full capabilities. Solutions, for example, can drive best-in-class outcomes for Cartamundi’s manufacturing partners, while Entertainment can leverage the company’s brands in fresh and exciting ways for the retail channel.

whole digital ecosystem that allows players to carry their collection with them wherever they go, on their smart device. You can trade, you can swap, you can get onto leaderboards by finding rare cards, with top placements winning you prizes. There are so many ways to engage with the brand, from the ‘old school’ collecting people my age remember, to the modern day digital aspect which opens up a whole new realm of possibilities. The reactions at the shows we’ve attended really have demonstrated the huge level of demand there is for a trading card game such as Hro. In fact, I’m not sure where the ceiling is for a brand like this.”

Very few companies can claim to have the history and heritage Cartamundi does. It’s been around since the 18th century, with its printing presses first fired up in 1765, and some its leading brands, such as Bicycle, Bee, Copag and Shuffle, can trace their roots back to 1848. That’s an awful lot of knowledge and experience to bring to bear, and this year, that’s exactly what the company has set out to do in earnest.

“Cartamundi has been through a massive period of change, meaning it essentially entered 2023 as a new business group comprising three distinct, core divisions,” explains Andrew. “Our Solutions division is the one we’re predominantly known for, within which we print and produce games for key partners across the industry. Our Digital Ventures division is an exciting and innovative area of the business, focused on blending the physical and digital worlds, and our Entertainment division – where Nigel and I reside - is our retail-facing business, which

A great example of this is Cartamundi’s Hro (pronounced ‘hero’) hybrid trading card brand. Launched in 2022, under a DC Multiverse licensing agreement with Warner Bros., this hybrid platform invites consumers to bring their physical cards to life digitally as they collect, trade and play. Each totally unique card is individually minted, so collectors can see the instant they open their physical pack how rare their cards are (everyone will have their fingers crossed for a Mythic card), before logging online to claim its digital ‘twin’. Cartamundi has taken Hro to a selection of recent consumer events including the London Card Show, which it also sponsored, and London Comic Con. The brand was received with huge excitement at both events.

Nigel says: “From a consumer perspective, the big draw with Hro is the fact it combines physical trading card collecting with a

Attendance at consumer events is a new approach for Cartamundi, but one that perfectly aligns with the Entertainment

Andrew Brown Nigel Kay

Company Profile

encompassing than that. The timing of our transformation hit mid-year 2023, so spring/summer 2024 is when people are really going to start seeing some big strides forward from Cartamundi and its brands.”

Cartamundi appointed Norton PR in July to drive awareness of its portfolio, its Hro and Bicycle brands in particular. Activities targeted at consumers will run alongside a focused trade campaign designed to highlight Cartamundi Entertainment’s growth and company developments, both here in the UK and across Europe. The company has also recently partnered with the specialist marketing agency Generation Media, further cementing its position as a games company to watch in years to come. While 2024 will be a big year for Cartamundi, Nigel and Andrew actually feel 2025 and 2026 are the years in which growth will accelerate in earnest, and when the industry will see the most major product developments. Andrew also explains that Cartamundi’s specialist Community & Content team, headed up by Imogen Lloyd, will continue to enhance consumer engagement and brand loyalty, while retailers will benefit from flexible support including bespoke, store-specific solutions. They need only get in touch to start these conversations.

consumers and engage with them face to face as it demonstrates its new releases and gathers real-time feedback. The company has very high expectations for Hro, which Andrew says reflects its capabilities and commitment to evolving with consumers and the changing gaming landscape. It’s also easy to navigate and very consumer friendly, even for those who’ve never dabbled in the world of hybrid trading cards.

Cartamundi’s Bicycle brand lies in sharp contrast to Hro. That’s not a criticism. One of the world’s oldest playing card brands, Bicycle remains, for the time being, in the purely physical realm – though it, too, is benefitting from the company’s new way of thinking and overhauled approach to brand management. Long a go-to brand for professional magicians, especially in the US, where Bicycle is massive, the strategy this side of the pond is to create and nurture communities of Bicycle fans and collectors.

“There’s an old saying about a pack of playing cards being the world’s oldest games console, and whilst we continue to still deliver that great play value, we are also now turning Bicycle decks into collectibles too,” Andrew tells me. “Key highlights for autumn/winter include a new Disney licensed range and a World of Warcraft range, both of which will appeal to fans of both franchises and inspire them to collect multiple packs. Bicycle has plenty of heritage and already counts some of the world's biggest licences in its product portfolio, so all we’re doing is taking that power and using to push Bicycle into a new space.”

Nigel says the Bicycle brand is enjoying strong growth at the moment. Playing cards are a must-have in any home and are widely considered essential to the success of any family trip or holiday: anecdotally, it was amusing to note on a recent camping trip that one of the most in-demand items wasn’t shower gel or dry socks – it was playing cards. Bicycle cards are FSC-certified, feature truly stunning artwork and designs – many of which, such as the Stargazer range, already encourage collectability - and offer a premium playing experience for family card-gamers and professionals alike. Cartamundi sees the brand as one with huge potential for growth in the coming years, growth which will be bolstered by further major new licensing

deals, quarterly releases and a communications strategy that will speak to magicians, collectors and amateur card game enthusiasts alike. A new Bicycle app will be part of the mix, which will teach users how to play a wide range of card games.

As part of its overhaul, Cartamundi has taken a hard look at its extensive portfolio of products and assessed what’s working and what fits – and what doesn’t. The Shuffle brand of fun, fast-paced card and board games, in both licensed and generic versions, is one that is performing incredibly well. The range has been rationalised and benefits from a strong portfolio of well supported games for this autumn/ winter. Cartamundi is also working with a suite of talented international inventors to ensure the brand and its titles stays on-trend and in demand with an exciting line up of new launches planned. Andrew says: “Our portfolio of games under the Shuffle brand is a key focus for the business. We’re excited to be building on some great results from last year, with more support behind our key titles to drive awareness and at the point of purchase.”

The company’s approach to retail has also shifted. It’s coming back to the market with more ambition, a much clearer strategy and some big goals; Andrew says Cartamundi wants to be a Top 10 Games supplier, and a Top 30 company in the overall marketplace. And this is resonating with customers. Nigel says the company’s retail partners have expressed delight at the upcoming launches during its spring/summer 2024 previews and are keen to support them with their selections.

“In previews, we’ve been demonstrating the stepchange the company has undertaken and the reason why each brand remains in the portfolio,” Nigel adds. “Quite a few retailers have told me that they haven’t traded with Cartamundi for however long, which is fine, but that they’re pleased to see we’re making something of a comeback – Cartamundi 2.0, if you will – and are more than willing to trade with us once again. We’ve got a clear evolution pathway in place for our brands. It’s not simply a case of ‘Buy this and we’ll see you in six months’. What we’re doing is far more all-

Clearly, there’s lots to look forward to, and it easy to see why both Andrew and Nigel, who joined the company one year ago and three months ago respectively, were drawn to Cartamundi. Nigel was familiar with Cartamundi from his Hasbro days and had a good understanding of the business and the quality of its products before he’d even interviewed for the role. At interview, however, he says he came to fully realise and appreciate the breadth of the portfolio, the heritage of Cartamundi and its production capabilities. As a fan of trading card games, it took barely any convincing for him to come on board. He was also impressed with the Cartamundi culture, which is fuelled by a close-knit team of open-minded, supportive, passionate and driven people.

“And it was a great opportunity for you to work with me again, Nigel,” jokes Andrew, who also used to work for Hasbro. “Cartamundi has a fantastic footprint within the category and it’s exciting to consider the longevity of the company and everything that’s still to come. There are very strong foundations here on which to builds some truly world-class brands and I’m delighted Nigel and I, and the wider team, are able to do that. It’s a cliché, but there really is all to play for.”

Boxing clever

levels ready for those last few weeks of the year. These games have been consistent, perennial sellers, firstly because they’re excellent games which are really well designed by Drumond Park, but also because they've been supported over the years. Tomy has invested heavily in the brand to make sure it stays relevant and in the front of people’s minds.”

Tomy began distributing for Drumond Park five years ago, a partnership which allowed both brands to branch out into new areas. Even before taking on Drumond Park, Tomy had a strong presence in the kids’ games sector via classic favourites such as Pop-up Pirate, which was No.1 in the category, Screwball Scramble and Greedy Granny.

Meanwhile, Drumond Park was a top competitor in adult games, an area of speciality which Mary explained is difficult to make successful. Drumond Park had the No.1 and No.2 spots in adult games with The Logo Board Game and Articulate, respectively. It was therefore the perfect fit for the companies to collaborate, giving each other their decades of experience in their respective sectors, in order to deliver a games portfolio which caters to all ages.

Mary explained: “Adult games is a specialised area of the market. It's not easy to launch an adult game and make it successful – it requires a lot of investment and patience. If you look at the Articulate game and the Logo family of games, they have been around for years and years. The reason that they have been successful is they've been nurtured over many years and there's been a lot of investment in media to support them. It's not for the faint hearted.

“The other big challenge with adult games is that sales come very, very late. About 50% of the sales will be in the last few weeks before Christmas. When you consider a game like Articulate sells 80,000 units a year – and it’s similar for Logo – it’s quite a logistical challenge to manage stock

Tomy and Drumond Park believe so strongly in Logo and Articulate that they have continued to bring out extensions of those games. Articulate Christmas and Logo Best of Christmas have created successful add on sales for festive season; and Logo Best of Kids, which was released three years ago and is continuing to grow year by year, is a great introduction to the brand for children. This year, Tomy will be introducing Logo Bingo, at a lower price point to the original game, which Mary believes will give even greater opportunities to more retailers.

“Many retailers traditionally see excellent sales from established games, but there's also a number that struggle to thrive in this very competitive market and we think Logo Bingo will be a really good introduction for them,” she explained. “It comes at a lower price point and is easy to understand and play, but still has the Logo magic about it. It’s quite a late launch, but we expect it to do well.”

Tomy and Drumond Park now work hand in hand to create new products. Drumond Park leads the product development, but Tomy has regular meetings with the team where all parties pitch ideas and agree on the final decision. Launches don’t follow the same pattern as Tomy Games’ children’s titles, due to the differences in the adult games market.

Meanwhile the Tomy Games division has two new games launching this year. Pillow Bash is a fun word game where the loser gets bashed with a pillow; and Word Poppers is a word game which will pop up all the tiles when the timer runs out. Tomy puts a significant amount of investment behind its new launches and these two games have already tested well with children.

With a plan to branch out into a new category – social and party games – Tomy has also added The Game of Saying ‘Huh?!’ to its portfolio. The game originated in Japan where it was extremely successful and Tomy is now presenting it to the UK, France, Germany and the US. Mary anticipates the game will need time to build a following, and Tomy has therefore has only brought in a small amount of stock, but the team has high expectations for its future. The German and English versions of The Game of Saying ‘Huh?!’ will be exhibited at Essen Spiel this October.

The news doesn’t stop there, as the company’s games business is set to expand further, thanks to another new partnership that has just been agreed. “With growth in the Games category being a key objective for Tomy, we are delighted to be partnering with the very creative and successful Netherlands-based Identity Games team,” Mary adds. “The deal sees Tomy become a lead distributing

partner for Identity Games in the UK, having won the rights to sell two of its key new games: Battle Royale and Medical Mysteries. Both games will launch in early 2024 and open the door for Tomy to build strength in the Strategic Games category. These innovative and intriguing games will complement Tomy’s 2024 line up, and with high profile marketing campaigns supporting them, will bring new consumers to our retailers’ shelves and websites.”

In response to changes in the market, Tomy will begin its Christmas advertising earlier than usual this year, from September. The team is constantly working with its media agencies to make sure that Tomy has the right mix of media. “Every year is different,” explained Mary, “because consumer viewing patterns are constantly changing. It’s a combination of linear TV, cinema, advertising, social media and digital, and it's all about trying to get the right balance. TV viewership is significantly dropping, but is still really important, particularly for adult games. We are constantly watching the EPOS data that we get, and reacting to it where we see something working.”

“It's been an interesting few years for the Games category since Covid,” commented Mary. “We saw a huge leap in sales when everyone was locked down and looking to entertain themselves and their children. They turned to brands that they knew and felt safe with, like Tomy and Drumond Park. Then in 2022, people were understandably spending money on other things like going out and about so that was a tough year for Games and Puzzles. This year, it's a whole different set of circumstances from a macroeconomic perspective, so it will be very interesting to see how it all pans out.”

The big question is where consumers will decide to spend their money this Christmas. Mary believes that shoppers will focus on price and promotions. She added: “That’s why we’re putting investment into support for retailers to create as much consumer demand as possible, while also providing price promotions at key times. I expect consumers to seek out brands they trust, or products with great reviews. The challenge of bringing in the right level of stock, in a timely manner., remains. I don't think games sales are going to come any earlier; if anything, they'll be later and more intense. We need retailers to support titles by taking in stock in good time, because they won't be able to keep up with demand if they try to order in the last weeks of the year.”

Toy World caught up with managing director Mary Wood to hear how Tomy Games’ strong Drumond Park partnership keeps its adult games offering thriving alongside the company’s popular action games.

®

The festivities for the Yu-Gi-Oh! card game’s upcoming 25th anniversary continue in earnest. Special Yu-Gi-Oh! TCG products commemorating the milestone are flying off the shelves and the excitement continues to build with further 25th anniversary products on the way.

There is another major milestone that the Yu-Gi-Oh! card game is celebrating: the long-awaited return of the Yu-Gi-Oh! World Championship (WCS). Like so many things, in-person competitive events were not possible during the worldwide pandemic. The Yu-Gi-Oh! TCG returned to tournament halls across the United Kingdom and Europe in 2022 and last month, the Yu-Gi-Oh! WCS, the most prestigious event in the Dueling calendar, made a very welcome return, taking place for the first time in four years.

Competitors from across the globe came together to prove their prowess in the Tokyo Big Sight, one of the largest international exhibition centres in Japan. Fans watched on international livestreams as the world’s top Duelists competed across a tense, exciting weekend. The WCS was the culmination of an incredible season for the Yu-Gi-Oh! TCG’s competitive scene. In May and June, 20 National Championships took place across Europe where nearly 10,000 Duelists took part, shattering previous attendance records by a considerable margin.

If there was any concern about the Yu-Gi-Oh! TCG’s competitive scene following recent lockdown measures, those doubts have been blown out of the water. That was evident just being at the National Exhibition Centre in Birmingham back in late May for the UK National Championship. Over a thousand Duelists attended, many bearing t-shirts, hats and other paraphernalia adorned with Yu-Gi-Oh! monsters and characters. During Duels they quietly battled, facing off against one another in rows upon rows spanning the exhibition

stage Duels world on the

hall. Their concentration was evident, and certainly warranted, given qualification for the European World Championship Qualifier was up for grabs. Between Duels, however, there was an opportunity to mingle, connect and reconnect with others, everyone united by a love of the Yu-Gi-Oh! TCG, whether in recent months or over decades. It was clear how tight knit the community is; even in a hall of a thousand players from across the country, so many of them knew each other and were excited to talk strategies, the latest sets and to share their collections with one another.

Duelists taking part in official Yu-Gi-Oh! TCG events can also take the opportunity to bolster their collections. At the UK National Championship, there were a few retailers present which were kept very busy. Between Duels, dozens of attendees visited the retailer stands, leaving with their hands full of Portfolios, Structure Decks, Game Mats and Booster Packs. At London’s 250th Yu-Gi-Oh! Championship Series in April, there were eight different retailers in attendance from all over Europe. Even with those many options, by the end, all the retailers’ stocks were near-depleted.

The consistent growth of the European competitive scene is reflected in a consistent uptick in sales for the Yu-Gi-Oh! TCG across the continent. Of course, after the boom during lockdown, that growth has settled, but demand continues unabated. The success of the European competitive scene isn’t the only driver of sales growth; it’s only a part of the story and a reflection of increased engagement across the different Yu-Gi-Oh! TCG audiences. With an increasingly diverse range of highquality products, and brand penetration across different media, there are simply more and more Duelists out there, whether they be newer players, returning players, those who like to play competitively or those who like to collect. The 25th anniversary celebrations have shown how much crossover there is between those groups. At

the UK National Championship, it was clear how many competitive players were attracted to the different anniversary products. In turn, as the brand continues to grow, there’s more and more engagement with the competitive scene across social media, livestreams and videos.

In the space of just three weeks in October and November, there are three upcoming Yu-Gi-Oh! TCG products that will appeal to all of those audiences – and in plenty of time for the holiday season. Whether brand-new to the game, looking for the latest competitive cards or something collectible – or maybe all three – Konami has Duelists covered. On 19th October, the Age of Overlord Booster Pack will introduce brand-new themes to the game and offer support for older ones. It also features Quarter Century Secret Rares, the attractive, highly collectible card rarity which is only available during the 25th anniversary celebrations. Currently scheduled for release the following week, on 26th October, the Yu-GiOh! TCG two-Player Starter Set is ideal for newcomers. This product features two different Decks that can be used to Duel straight out of the box and includes a unique 64-page comic book which teaches Duelists the Yu-Gi-Oh! TCG basics. On 2nd November, the 25th Anniversary Rarity Collection is launched; a set befitting the important milestone. This spectacular all-foil collection not only features Quarter Century Secret Rares, but also introduces two brand-new rarities that were previously only available overseas. The new Prismatic style Collector’s Rare will make Decks literally sparkle, while the new Prismatic style Ultimate Rares feature a stunning raised 3D varnish effect.

With a range of exciting new products, the successful return of the Yu-Gi-Oh! World Championship and the 25th anniversary itself still to come early next year, it’s a very exciting time to Duel.

Konami Digital Entertainment B.V. tells Toy World how the return of the prestigious Yu-Gi-Oh! World Championship is emblematic of the continued growth of the card game.

Company Profile

Small soldiers

Warships gather in the choppy waters off the coast, bombers soar overhead to replenish their payloads back at the airfield, and in the ruins of a once bustling village, an enemy battalion is wiped out by a well-placed mortar. No, it’s not the latest blockbuster war movie from Steven Spielberg or Ridley Scott – it’s just another day at Warlord Games’ Nottingham base, which plays home to its manufacturing hub, warehouse and dedicated public shop. Rachael Simpson-Jones (and special guest) paid a visit to find out about the company’s retail expansion plans and what makes its wargaming ranges stand out from the rest.

Founded 16 years ago by managing director John Stallard - a 25-year veteran of Games Workshop until his redundancy from the companyWarlord Games specialises in highly detailed, affordable, historically accurate wargaming models: soldiers, ships, tanks planes and so on. John has long had a passion for tabletop wargaming, so he used his £40,000 of redundancy money to create the first ever Warlord product: a box of plastic Roman soldiers. They were a hit. Celts for the Romans to battle with swiftly followed, and the rest, as they say, is history.

Nowadays, the company creates metal, plastic and rapeseed-based resin miniatures and has a team of 97 people, 10 of which are based overseas (five in the US, two in Germany and one each in France, Spain and Poland). Warlord also has a sister company, Skytrex Miniatures, based in Loughborough. From the off, John’s aim was to create a range that combines the excitement of Airfix, with its stunning cover art, along with the classic elements of tabletop gameplay and the educational nature of history books: indeed, many sets contain engaging guidebooks detailing the background of the soldiers within, their most important battles and notable individuals.

“If I had to choose between historical accuracy and fun, in terms of which way to skew the range, I’d choose fun,” John explains. “There have been plenty of wargaming rulesets to follow over the years, many of them no fun whatsoever and designed to keep youngsters out. Kids would have to find an adult to teach them how to play. Accessibility was a founding principle of Warlord. Our starter box sets, for example, contain two armies and guidebooks explaining who’s who and how to play, all at a very attractive price.”

John agrees with the general industry consensus that geek is now chic, with far more adults proudly engaging in gaming or toy collecting that previously would have raised eyebrows. I should probably disclose at this point that my husband, Lewis, is a huge wargaming fan, and that we have a roomful of Warlord product in our house. (Lewis was left downstairs, merrily playing a campaign with the Warlord shop team, while I was interviewing John.) John also agrees that painting wargaming figures, a fundamental part of building out an army, provides numerous mindfulness and mental health benefits. For these reasons, more and more consumers are taking up the hobby, making wargaming a category retailers should take notice of.

Warlord’s team of 10+ passionate salesman currently works with around 650 trade accounts, selling in some 18,000+ SKUs ranging from ancient Egyptians to the Second World War and scales from 28mm to the Epic 15mm line. The Warlord range looks truly impressive on-shelf, as visitors to the Nottingham shop will see for themselves. The boxes feature stunning artwork – John has the original paintings hanging proudly in his office and around the HQ – and clearly detail what’s within.

Retailers considering stocking the range are usually provided with free samples, an approach that Warlord says really pays off. Sampling demonstrates the company’s confidence in its products and proves to retailers that they don’t hang around on-shelf long. And once that sampling has retailers convinced, there’s no MOQ for a first order (though Warlord has put together various New Customer bundles which can be tailored to any budget), carriage paid is only £200 + VAT, and an FSDU is available which is not only beautifully decorated

but very easy to assemble too. This comes as part of a wider POS pack which includes posters, window stickers and more. New releases each and every month keep consumer interest high and drive repeat footfall. As John says: “The great thing about history is that is keeps happening.”

Warlord staff unfailingly put consumers first, taking a ‘do first, ask permission later’ approach that has seen the company win no less than five customer service awards from specialist magazine title Wargames Illustrated. Faulty product is exchanged on a no-questions-asked basis, and each box contains a small note showing who it was packed by. It’s a small gesture, but one that shows the big heart behind the company and the passion of its people.

One of those people is Craig Nixon, Warlord’s new business manager, who has been with the company for five years this month, and in his current role for five months. Craig is laser-focused on opening new accounts, particularly in the aftermath of Covid, which he says hit Warlord’s customer base quite hard. Since he moved into this role, he and his team, Jonathan and Bojan, have opened some 100 new accounts and counting, but he feels there is vast potential for further expansion in this under-indexed category, especially within indie toy shops looking to explore exciting new categories and attract new demographics, such as Toymaster members, garden centres, museum shops and more.

Warlord’s sales team takes the view that retailers aren’t just customers for six months, but rather for six or 16 years. Indeed, the company has customers who have been with it for 15 years and counting. The company’s dedicated account managers are keen to forge strong, lasting

Company Profile

that bring people together round a table, and this style of gaming is only growing in popularity as in-store gaming, tournaments and wargaming clubs pick up speed. Even people who want to do nothing but sit and paint can enjoy our products for just that purpose. I like to say that tabletop wargaming is a bit like a bag of hot chips: you walk past someone eating chips and what happens? You want some too. Wargaming is the same. You see it and you want to play. As for where to begin, I’d always advise starting off with our Bolt Action range, which comprises 50% of our sales and is a year-round best-seller.”

Behind the scenes, the company has recently expanded its warehouse space and web store, and is also working on a tournament programme which retailers are invited to get involved in. Warlord has also had some investment in the form of Hornby, that perennial best seller of Airfix and Corgi Models, investing in a 25% ownership stake. Craig says it shows that Hornby appreciates the customer focused, long term mentality Warlord has and that it is keen for the two companies to work together. He adds: “We appeal to the same markets: people who appreciate the artistry and detail of these models and how it can bring generations together. We just happen to have the game to go alongside it.”

relationships with stockists, something that will be music to the ears of a many a reader. Craig highlights the strong margins offered by its products (35% is standard, going up to 43% on some lines), as well as their ease of access: the 2-player Blood Red Skies and licensed Judge Dredd games start at just £60 RPP, each containing two different forces. Split between two friends, that’s a very affordable way to enjoy hours of painting and gaming, especially when compared to some legacy boardgames that offer comparatively less playing time.

Lowering the barrier to entry is something Craig is always keen to discuss: a low MOQ and generous credit terms once initial orders are done, as well as demo kits, prize giveaways and Starter Sets at low cost, allow customers to get into the games easily.

I asked Craig if there was anything he feels are holding retailers back from giving Warlord’s range a go. The perceived ‘glorification’ of war appears to be a barrier to some, though Craig notes that many best-selling games throughout the ages have been based upon a conflict between players. “Pokémon, Magic the Gathering, Risk –crikey, who among us has never fallen out over a game of Monopoly?” he asks with a laugh. He also reiterates what John says regarding the educational aspect of wargaming. Some gamers collect armies based on regiments local to their country or region, so they can learn more about their equipment, uniforms and notable skirmishes; the Vikings play a big part in the history of York, so Viking SKUs from the Hail Caesar range, for example, could be expected to sell particularly well there.

The company’s order forms detail a lot of products, but to make things easier, retailers can opt for starter bundles that will ease them into it, featuring a selection

of Warlord’s Top 250. Toymaster members, meanwhile, receive smaller, more focused order forms from which buyers can select only the cream of the crop, the lines most likely to appeal to a wide demographic and those that offer the best value for money.

“There’s a lot of people out there who will have grown up watching the likes of Sharpe, or films such as Master & Commander and Saving Private Ryan,” adds Craig. “We tap into the evocative nature of history with games

Warlord also recently held its annual open day, which gave consumers a look not just at the warehouse and a chance to speak to John himself, but a sneak peek at the manufacturing of Warlord’s products including the metal/resin/plastic casting and de-moulding processes. Lewis and I were treated to the same during our visit: metal and resin casting take place downstairs, where the warehouse and shop, with its huge wargaming table also reside, while plastics moulding, mould-making, painting and publishing are all based upstairs. Our tour really highlights the human knowledge, experience and care that goes into making these products: the metal casting demo by casting coordinator Peter Hely was a particular highlight. Warlord takes pride in its British manufacturing, exporting around 70% of what it makes here in the UK (which accounts for around 90% of the entire product range). The Nottingham base offers room for further growth, too, meaning production can be scaled up further as expansion demands.

“We might not be a family company, but we’re a family here nonetheless,” John finishes. “Warlord is easy to stock, easy to sell and easy for people of all ages to play, and I’d invite anyone out there still unsure about stocking it to get in touch ASAP so we can show you what you’re missing.”

Game face on!

Major players in the Games and Puzzles sector tell Toy World how they category is gearing up for Q4, whether pricing has been affected by cost-of-living challenges and predict their bestsellers for this year.

We are fortunate to distribute Articulate and Logo, brands from the Drumond Park, and these two games have consistently been No.1 and no.2 within the Adult Games sector. Every year, in November and December, we make very high investments in media which is critical to the success of these brands in the all-important last weeks before Christmas. Pop Up Pirate has been No.1 in the Children’s Games market for years and continues to perform at a high level, and Pop Up Mario has performed well all year, appealing to both children and Mario fans, so that could well be a hot game this Christmas. We introduce and significantly invest in a number of new games each year, and this year Word Poppers and Pillow Bash will be released in Children’s Games alongside our already very successful Greedy Granny, Beat the Camera and Screwball Scramble. As social games are becoming more popular, we will be introducing a top seller from the Japanese market, The Game of Saying ‘Huh?!’.  This is likely to be a slow build, as is normal for this type of game, but already the reviews indicate that consumers love the game play so we will watch with interest to see how it evolves.

Whilst the economic background is going to make the season tough overall, a positive is that if families are not able to afford to go out as much, then they will look for entertainment at home and this is where games can win through. At Tomy, we focus on great game play before price, and we invest in building awareness of both new and perennial best-sellers though strong investment. We also support our retail partners with price promotions at the appropriate times, as part of the mix required in making any game successful. For 2024, we will be launching an under-£10 game called 5UP which has received very positive feedback through previews and already has excellent listings.

Last year was a tough year for games. I personally think there was a bit of games fatigue after everyone bought into them and played them so much through the Covid years. However, we know that everything with the toy industry goes in cycles and there is no reason why games should not improve category performance in autumn/winter 2023.

Our global team continues to do a fantastic job in developing new and innovative games, which this year are spread across multiple games categories from Pre-school, Kids, Family, Party and Strategy. We’re particularly excited to be launching The Traitors Official Board Game which offers a fully immersive experience that matches the show. Having all played the game, we can tell you that it’s enjoyably surprising as you start to second guess those who you thought were Faithfuls turn Traitors. We have fantastic retailer support for the game and plans for a celebrity press event and exciting social campaigns are being worked on, to be revealed later in season. Another stand out new launch is Pop Off – a quick play party game which is both simple yet skilful involving Popping Cups and balls with skill cards. A departure from our classic games, Beat Blast, supported by a 360 media campaign, challenges you to swing the beat stick to the rhythm of the music and has great retail support. Already trending in the US, Lunar Dial, a celestial strategy game based on Morbid, a top-ranking podcast, has made a promising start early in season and we are expecting the stars to align for it in the UK.

We are constantly reviewing the market and consumer sentiment, ensuring we offer the best value. With this in mind, we have started to reimagine some of our nostalgic brand,s and a new Gooey Louie will hit shelves in autumn/winter with all the key surprise and delight game play but at an everyday lower price point. Other classics will be coming in the following months. Our pick-up price points for party games have also been developed for stocking filler purchases nearer to Christmas with gameplay that all the family can enjoy.

With constant innovation, new content and licensing partnerships, we’d expect the category to perform strongly this Christmas. The pandemic reignited a love of games experiences shared between family and friends, as borne out by the growth in categories such as Party and Strategy Games. We’ve acutely tuned in to how to reach consumers and find compelling ways to market the right games to the right people - and more importantly at the right time - which we know gets later and nearer to Christmas each year.

We expect our award-winning Matchify games to be our best-sellers this year, especially with the new IPs we’re incorporating, which should introduce entirely new fanbases to the memory game fun. We know kids are already drawn to these popular licences, and the parents with the buying power are drawn to Matchify’s educational benefits, including cognitive growth.

Engaging in innovative product development has always been at the core of PMI’s development, and we’re always striving to create top quality toys at an accessible price point. Understanding consumer trends and appetites for products helps us manage SKUs, retail placement and inventory.

Games and Puzzles will always be a staple of family time, and Christmas is a leading holiday when it comes to bringing people together. It's during this time, more than ever, that people are seeking entertainment options which allow everyone to participate easily and foster human connection.

Mary Wood - Managing director, Tomy

Emma Weber - Marketing and Licensing director, Vivid Goliath

Omer Dekel - Chief operating officer, PMI

Touching Base

Steve Asbey - National account manager, Cheatwell Games

We have re-designed Spot The Intro and we already know it will be a sell-out, whilst early orders for our brand-new Quiz Cubes suggest the same thing. Tension sales have held up again this year, and our new Top Trivia lines have been incredible. Trivia has always been popular and since lockdown it’s maintained a really strong performance. As we refresh the questions every print run, there are stacks of new ones that are based on events from this year.

This has been kept under wraps for a few months but at Autumn Fair, we will be launching a brand-new range of board games. They are made in the US and are exclusive to Cheatwell in the UK. Stock will be available from mid-October.

We haven’t seen a drop in sales this year and we put that down to our mantra: when you open a Cheatwell boxed game you see a great deal of content and very little fresh air. The value is already there and customers can see that. Plus, we have a substantial range of £5 card games that are already capturing that lower price purchase.

We have already seen this year that our category has bucked the trend, with the Games and Puzzles super category flat whilst the overall decline is in double digits. Games are notoriously a safe bet and as consumers look for ways to entertain themselves at home rather than going out, this is a trend that is set to continue.

Joking Hazard continues to show dominance in the games category, and we expect to continue to do so in Q3 and Q4. We are predicting an uptick in sales of our Master Dater product as friends and family look for new party game options during the holiday season. We also expect our newest games SOSIG and HODDOG to be a big hit as stocking fillers and impulse buys in Q3 and Q4.

We’re not worried about consumer confidence for evergreen games or games with strong branding, but more niche and high price points might have issues as consumers become more selective. We have a wide range of smaller games that we made because we loved them, not over worries of consumer spending – it was coincidental

that this appears to the industry trend.

We do not predict a downward turn for games in the low to mid-price point. These have evergreen qualities as people will always look for ways to spend quality time with friends and family, and tend to do so even more during challenging times.

Dinosaur and unicorn themed products continue to be popular with consumers, so it is perhaps no surprise that our new Dinosaur Dig and Unicorn Fun have started strongly this year, and we expect the strong sales of these lines to continue in Q3/4.

Dinosaur Dig, with a brilliant build a 3D dinosaur element, is bound to be a winner with dinosaur fans, while Unicorn Fun offers shoppers fantastic added value, with three exciting games in one box.

We also predict that our new limited edition festive products will be Q4 best-sellers. Elf Lotto, a new mini game for this Christmas, makes a perfect stocking filler gift and offers consumers a great price point. Our new Countdown to Christmas Activity Book comes at a great price point. Featuring 25 pages of festive fun, lots of stickers, an advent scene, plus a letter to Santa activity with a guaranteed personalised reply, it really is special.

We are proud that our product portfolio offers shoppers fantastic value for money, and therefore we will not be adjusting the RRP of our Q3/4 offerings. We continue to support retailers to maximise sales opportunities, whilst offering them a good margin and our consumers a great price point.

Traditionally Christmas is a really strong period for the category, and we’re expecting that to be the case again this year.  We acknowledge that consumers will be very conscious of where they spend their money in Q4 this year, but we believe our blend of education, fun and price point makes Orchard Toys an attractive proposition within the category.

We’ll be launching our new Bolt Action starter Armies in September – including a £65 British Commando set. I’m excited for this as a key part of our offering is lowering the barrier to entries. Not only is it quite a cool kit, but the RRP of £65 makes it a lot more affordable. This is something I’m really quite keen on for players; a new hobby is always expensive at the outset, so Warlord’s focus on affordability and lowering the barrier to entry is something I will always shout about. I think the set will sell well alongside our existing low-cost Starter Armies. With uncertainty around customer spending, we’re looking to make sure people have a chance to get around the table with their friends, so developing lower priced options is a must. We give support to brick & mortar stores with campaigns, demonstration sets and prizes for competitions. We ran a worldwide in-store campaign where players recreated battles within WWII. This played into both local and worldwide leaderboards and allowed us to really support stores in attracting people to visit and play games. This helps pick up new players as well. We’re keen to do more things like this so keep an eye out. I think Christmas will be strong for the Games & Puzzles category this year. Although higher price point options may feel a squeeze, those who concentrate on affordability and ease of access will do well.

We’re looking forward to Christmas, as stores start stocking up in September and October, we can help within the new business offering for Warlord. We can supply a freestanding display unit and a point-of-sale pack. This contains posters, signs and window stickers to let people know Warlord Games are stocked in the store. These are offered free with orders and can help stores really start to dial in on the offering. We’re excited to see photos of them; I love to share these with our social media team and I’m keen to get out on the road and visit new customer stores.

Alex Murty - International growth manager, Explosm

Simon Newbery - Managing director, Orchard Toys

Craig NixonNew business manager, Warlord Games

Touching Base

Philip Kaye - Managing director, Kayes of Cardiff

We at Kayes feel the highlight of the last quarter will be the long-awaited high-profile launch of Lorcana from Ravensburger. Strict allocations and vast demand will ensure the new launch will be highly sought after. The seasonal launches of Christmas items from Orchard Toys are also proving popular, as early orders are indicating.

The majority of products which Kayes offers are very competitively priced and offer great value for money to the consumer. Manufacturers are well aware of the priorities that consumer spending is taking so price increases are few, and with our split carton pick and pack policy, we offer the retailer the option of selecting a large range whilst keeping control of their outlay.

David LublinerHead of customer marketing, Europe, Melissa & Doug

We expect our ever-popular wooden sound puzzles and chunky puzzles will have another strong festive season, especially as we start to roll out the refreshed look over the next year. Melissa & Doug puzzle themes, such as farm animals, pets and safari, continue to be popular and remain on our best-seller list. Alongside these, we anticipate significant demand for our innovative Gears and Round the Tracks puzzles, which are part of the line-up of new items for 2023. The new Gears puzzles boast interlocking, moving pieces which animate the puzzle, bringing it to life in a mesmerising way. In contrast, Round the Tracks puzzles add a new dimension of play with wind-up vehicles that manoeuvre within the completed puzzle tracks.

We pride ourselves on offering a broad spectrum of preschool-focused puzzles at accessible prices. Our range starts from as low as £7.99, with the entire range priced below £25. This wide offering ensures that our wooden and cardboard puzzles cater to all budgets without compromising on the quality and educational value the brand is known for.

We’re optimistic about the potential for great sales of puzzles this Christmas. Consumers will be on the lookout for products at a lower price point that encourage family time while nurturing developmental skills – a niche which Melissa & Doug puzzles are ideally positioned to fill.

We feel sure that the toy sector, and especially the Games and Puzzle category, will not suffer to the extent that the media would have us believe. The retail price spectrum in the sector covers a wide range of affordable products that should ensure the success of games and puzzles, for children and adults of all ages, once again this year.

Will Stewart - UK managing director, Imagination Games

Within the family games range, we predict that our Disney Game Night will be our best seller this Q4; based on the reaction and sell-through we have had in Australia we knew we had something special. This game offers great value entertainment for all the family, featuring favourite Disney characters and five great games as well five additional digital games to play.

We haven’t adjusted any RRPs for Q4 but what we have focused on is presenting great value for money and offering a more memorable gaming experience. We also offer something unique with our Social Games on Demand Platform with Gamestar+ and our other digital games included within our physical games. We want to ensure the customer feels they are getting value for money and that their spend is worthwhile to enable them to create special memories with family and friends.

I think the Games & Puzzles category this Christmas will do OK, considering the current economic climate. As we have seen in times gone by, when there is uncertainty in the market, the games category tends to remain strong. Games bring family and friends together, they create memories and bring joy to those playing and that is why I think the category will remain strong. Consumers will be looking to forget their worries over the festive period and just have some fun with their loved ones –and what better way than with a game?

At John Adams we’re proud to offer a portfolio of games that really does offer something for everyone. In the Kids Action Games category, Don’t be a Scaredy Bear and Windy Knickers continue to perform really well, so we’re confident that our new releases Diggy the Dog and Flip Frog are going to be on lots of wish-lists for 4-6 year olds.

We also have some great new licensed games. Based on the success of the new Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles movie, we’re predicting that our Sewer Battle and Pizza Time games are going to be in high demand. We’re also excited to bring two new Squishmallows games to market, which will be coming into stock shortly.

Bringing the whole family together is one of our core objectives, which we achieve with fun favourites such as Think Words, Silly Sausage and Pencil Nose. This year we’re predicting that our new family party games This Side Up and Smash Down are going to be hugely popular and create some great competitive moments.

Our heritage brands such as Rummikub are going from strength to strength too, so we’re expecting strong sales across both the Classic and the new variations; City, XXL and 6-Player.

During tough economic times we see consumers turning to brands that they know and trust so our reputation for developing great games puts us in a strong position. Our range offers something at all key price points from £7.99 up to £30.

All of our games are carefully developed within our UK headquarters, ensuring high quality whilst also offering great value for money. Games & Puzzles are a key part of Christmas get togethers so we’re expecting the category to fare well this festive period. As always, we’ll be continuing to support all our key brands and games with heavyweight media, digital, social and PR campaigns. 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 all-important run-up to Christmas.

Lynette Leet - Marketing manager, John Adams

For samples or to book a demonstration get in touch:

Touching Base

Kerrie Corrigan - General manager, Coiledspring Games

Several of our games have seen immense sales growth this year and the lead up to Q3 and Q4 will be no different. Our top five predicted bestsellers include: The Mind Card Game, Qwirkle, Next Station London and the newest in the popular Sushi Go! Series, Spin Sum for Dim Sum. This particular title successfully previewed at UK Games Expo in June resulting in a 70% sell through as pre-orders. Another runaway success for Coiledspring this year has been the bluffing card game Cockroach Poker. We have increased our forecasts to cover the anticipated demand of these titles.

Like any business in the industry, we are not immune to the falling customer confidence. To counter this, we have been working even harder with supply partners to ensure key titles have great value RRPs. With price-rises across the board, we do our utmost to keep our pricing competitive, so our games are accessible to the widest audience possible.

In terms of lower priced items, we have been selling Qwirkle for five years now and every year we see an increase in demand for the travel version during Q2 and Q3. This increase is even more marked this year and it is currently outselling the standard version which is fantastic to see. Back in January, we took on the sub-distribution of a selection of Professor Puzzle games to offer in the hobby retail channel. The driver behind this was the immense value in the product, RRP’s start at just £5.99 and the games offer great themes with outstanding replayability.

We are beginning to see an increase in orders coming through for jigsaws. The category took a dip post-Covid as many consumers had a pile left to complete when the world re-opened.

I think Christmas will be, overall, very positive. There is certainly still demand to fulfil with the great family products we represent in the UK, although it’s important to be agile and able to adjust the offering quickly. For my family, one of our traditions is a new board game and a jigsaw at Christmas time and I think this is typical of a lot of families. We look forward to seeing the successes that Christmas 2023 brings.

Emma Holmes - Head of Brand, Ridley’s Games (Abrams and Chronicle)

Our focus has always been on bringing affordable, design-led games to the market. Despite the current cost of living crisis, we are confident that our customers will continue to be surprised and delighted by the detail and creativity we incorporate into our games and puzzles.

Our new game, Roarsome! features double-sided play pattern and comes packaged in a unique dinosaur egg-shaped case made from corn starch. Additionally, the cards are printed on FSC paper using soy inks, making it a completely virgin plasticfree product.

In addition to Roarsome!, we are thrilled to be launching the first in a series of Escape Room games called Saving Shakespeare. What sets the game apart is its reusability and ability to be gifted to others without any damage to the content, provided you use a pencil. This feature is unique in the market of single-use escape room games, making it a real USP.

As consumers prioritise family time away from screens, especially during the Christmas holidays, the toy and game industry offers that outlet to spend quality time, laughing and having fun together. Since the Covid pandemic, we have observed a consistent trend in both games and puzzles due to stay-at-home becoming the new going out. We do anticipate sales of both categories to be challenging, like any area of gifting, due to the cost of living crisis. However, we believe consumers are looking for products that offer affordability, sustainability and above all, raise a smile, and we work hard on ticking all those boxes.

Based on our sales data, it is evident that Star Wars Rivals is proving to be an incredible success in both the USA and Europe. In fact, we’re delighted to report that our sales figures have already surpassed our initial projections. Additionally, our Scream Game, which was recently awarded the prestigious Play Creators Award in the category of Game Designer of the Year (Licensed/IPDriven Product), is also expected to perform exceptionally well. We are incredibly proud of both games and look forward to seeing their continued success.

We designed Star Wars Rivals at a highly attractive retail price, and the packaging is sure to catch the attention of customers. Funko Games is renowned for its competitive pricing in the market, which adds to the overall appeal of our exciting catalogue.

It is widely recognised that the board game sector tends to fare well during periods of economic downturn. Funko has exhibited above-average performance over the previous six months. Based on these factors, it is my expectation that the upcoming Christmas season will be advantageous for our business.

Our Airfix 1,000-piece Jigsaw puzzle range continues to perform well, with the iconic images of the Spitfire and Lancaster bomber proving consumer favourites. New designs are being released for Q4 via AB Gee.   Our ranges have always been extremely competitively priced, giving retailers good margins, and we don’t expect to see much of a change in RRPs in these challenging times. We think that Games and Puzzles could be quite a strong category as consumers pull back on going out and spend more time at home with the family. The excess product in the market appears to have reduced and consumers are now looking for new games and puzzles as they have become fatigued by the ones they bought in mass during lockdown.

Stephan BrissaudSenior director, Funko Games

Roy Greenwood - Director, Kidicraft

Touching Base

John Styring - CEO, Curious Universe

I predict our best-seller for Q3/4 to be our new Curious Universe Games range. This product range has exciting 3D elements, interactive puzzles and tons of imaginative play. The games and puzzles market is competitive, but we are strong in the belief that the unique properties of the games will spark curiosity, appeal to children and bring families together. Our Mindbogglers and Puzzlebilities puzzle brands have become staples in our puzzle offerings and have also continued to be successful ranges.      Our goal with all our offerings is to create great product at amazing value. We want our consumers to enjoy quality products but at affordable pricing. This will continue to be our strategy in our Q3/4 offerings.

The popularity of specific games and puzzles will always vary from year to year, depending on trends and new releases. But overall, we see this category continuing in its heightened engagement during the festive season. Sitting down with friends and family with a board game or puzzle is a source of fun, and we are confident that our new Curious Universe Games have brought fresh and exciting concepts to the market that will pique interest in the build-up, and over the Christmas festivities.

Early sales figures indicate that our new card game from the BBC’s BAFTA award winning TV Show The Traitors is set to be huge. The show gained a massive following on screens in late 2022 and has continued to draw audiences on iPlayer through the introduction of the USA and Australian series. The retail orders we have received for our new card game have already been remarkable. In addition, September sees another big board game launch for us with Ant and Dec’s Limitless Win Board Game based on the hit ITV show. In terms of non-licensed games, our other predicted new best-seller this year is We’re All Gonna Die which was our stand-out success with audiences at the recent UK Games Expo.

In addition to our new titles Stomp The Plank, Crack List and After Us, our bestsellers this autumn/winter all have a cosy games theme. In our Wooden Abstract Games portfolio, in addition to longstanding champion titles Quoridor and Katamino, we have been delighted to launch Qawale as a brand-new title this year. The game fits perfectly into the range and allows for a fast, competitive, two player head-tohead as players move the wooden pebbles around the board, competing to be the first to score four of their coloured pieces in a row.

In additional to Qawale, other top sellers to look out for include In the Footsteps of Darwin, a visually stunning game where players set sail on the adventures of Charles Darwin and race to complete the Origins of Species manuscripts. This game promises cosy autumn nights in and has been a huge convention and boardgame café hit already this year.

Whilst we are having a very confident year, performance wise, we appreciate that the current trading environment is challenging for both retailers and consumers this year. Although we have not had to adjust our RRPs, we have been working hard to ensure that our commercial offer for our retail partners remains competitive. We decided at the beginning of the year that we would not increase costs - and kept our minimum order value competitive - to allow retail of all levels to partner with us confidently and try out new titles as they have come along. We have worked closely within our global group to continue to improve supply and logistics to ensure stock arrives right on time, and feedback from the market has been positive in response.

We are really excited for the autumn/winter season. We have worked hard to build a range that we believe suits every type of retail partner and are ensuring that we continue to drive marketing activities to support retail partner efforts with in-store theatre, live demonstrations and takeover events across the UK & Ireland. We have been working closely as a group to ensure that we have the right type of product available when retailers need it, and our sell through rate shows that the interest and demand for games & puzzles in the UK continues to grow. We are confident that we can recommend the right titles to retail to provide a range of products that will help gift buyers this autumn find the perfect new game at a price point to suit all budgets.

Customers often comment that our games are high quality and reflect good value in the market. We already offer a wide range of affordable price points from £5-£25 and therefore have not adjusted our RRPs, with the exception of our larger format board games. The huge spike in shipping rates back in 2021 resulted in an increase in the RRPs of our board game formats. We spent a good amount of time and energy redeveloping our box formats to economise shipping costs and with the welcomed current drop in shipping rates, we are pleased to be able to reduce these back to our preferred RRPs. We are feeling confident that the consumer will continue to see value in both our licensed and non-licensed product.       Early indicators from Circana suggest Games and Puzzles category growth and we are hopeful that this will continue for the rest of the year. That said, we are getting used to facing Q3/Q4 curve balls, and last year was no different with driver shortages, stock stuck in customs and postal strikes impacting ourselves and a lot of our retailers. Without wanting to jinx the entire industry, we are feeling quietly confident that things will go smoothly for the coming season. Whilst households face challenges with the cost of living crisis, games and puzzles are relatively inexpensive options for households to make the most of in-home entertaining and many games offer value that other forms of entertainment struggle to capture. We’re excited to see what the season has in store.

Shaky Tower and Racing Kart Deluxe continue to be the most successful lines in our Super Mario range as they capture the imagination of both young and adult audiences of the franchise. New for 2023 is Rally Tennis which launched in time for Wimbledon but offers the old school simplistic arcade game functions. Also new for 2023 is Route ‘n Go which is a vehicle-led puzzle game for children where they have to find a route for Mario and Luigi before their opponents do.

We always strive to make sure pricing is within reach of all pockets and something we continue to focus on. We are committed to ensuring that fans of our products have an accessible entry point to our ranges and with this in mind, we have some exciting developments coming for 2024 which really puts Epoch Games into that bracket. Overall, we predict the games category will do well over the festive period. Games and puzzles provide a popular form of entertainment for bringing friends and family together at Christmas as well as making great family gifts.

From our perspective, Epoch Games was one of two manufacturers that grew in the Children’s Games subcategory in Circana last year, which is an excellent result considering we only entered this category in 2020. With exciting new releases for Super Mario in 2023 as well as our already popular Games titles on shelf and robust retailer plans and ATL media starting in Q4, we have plans to continue to grow in this category and with new development for 2024, Epoch will become a mainstay in the Childrens Games category.

Rory Kelly - Senior sales director, Hachette Boardgames

Matt Shaw - Marketing manager – Epoch

Sally Mason - Sales manager, Ginger Fox

Quickly think of a word using the letters on the cards, then pass the bomb to the next player. If you’re holding the bomb when the timer goes off, it’s game over!

Games & Puzzles

Ravensburger UK

01869 363 830 | www.ravensburger.com

Excitement for the launch of new trading card game Disney Lorcana has continued to build with both the trade and consumers throughout the first half of this year. The range of products in Chapter One includes Starter Sets, Booster Sets, Gift Sets, Card Holders, an Illumineer’s Trove and Playmat.

More than one hundred specialist stores in the UK have been approved to host Organised Play events with fans who have eagerly awaited the most anticipated TCG launch this year, featuring beloved Disney characters in both their original and reimagined art styles living in an all-new world. Rooted in the magic of Disney characters and storytelling, Disney Lorcana is easy to learn for TCG newcomers while still offering strategic depth for experienced players.

Meanwhile, a special D100 edition game, Disney Villainous – The Introduction to Evil, offers new players an accessible entry to the popular game series with a lower price point and simplified gameplay. The game includes four chrome-effect movers: Prince John, Maleficent, Ursula and Captain Hook. The Star Wars Villainous galaxy grows with expansion game Star Wars Villainous – Scum and Villainy. Adding three new villains to the character line-up, players can opt to seek victory as notorious bounty hunter Boba Fett, Seventh Sister or Cad Bane. This game can be played as a standalone or in conjunction with base game, Star Wars Villainous. Also marking Disney’s 100th anniversary, Disney Labyrinth is a special edition of the classic Ravensburger game of moving pathways. With a touch of added sparkle, the game features fun Mickey movers and spotlights a host of iconic Disney character favourites. There is further Disney fun to be had with new board game launch, Around the World. In this family game, players travel around the world by hot air balloon, collecting stamps for their passports, with plenty of challenges to watch out for on the way.

Two Ravensburger family game favourites also have big birthdays this year – Scotland Yard is in its 40th year with an impactful packaging refresh, and Bugs in the Kitchen Glow in the Dark edition marks the 10th anniversary of the wriggling cockroach action game.

The ever-popular Peppa Pig brings her magic to the Peppa Pig Funny Photo game. This exciting action game features a chunky play camera at its centre, which dispenses ‘photos’, creating captivating fun for Peppa fans. The first to collect four pictures of the same one of Peppa’s friends will win.

In puzzles, Ravensburger adds a raft of strong new licences to its portfolio. Naruto, My Hero Academia, Gabby’s Dollhouse and more complement evergreen licences such as Thomas & Friends, Paw Patrol and Paddington and continue to demonstrate the company’s strength in bringing favourite characters to life in puzzle form. A new Pikachu-shaped 1000-piece puzzle will delight older fans of the franchise. Adding to the range of 3D puzzles, Pokémon Master Ball is a 54-piece 3D puzzle ball, and the 3D puzzle range also sees The Star Wars Death Star Wars 540-piece puzzle and 72-piece Grogu puzzle ball introduce the magic of the hit franchise to the collection.

The recently launched wooden puzzle collection from Ravensburger welcomes three new 500-piece wooden puzzles which all feature specially shaped ‘whimsy’ pieces, themed to complement the puzzle image.

Over 100 other puzzles have joined the Ravensburger offering this year, with many designed in the UK. Among them, the twenty-seventh limited edition Ravensburger Christmas puzzle is perfect for family time together. Almost Done features a classic Santa at the end of his busy night of deliveries, sharing some fruit with animal friends. It joins a collection of other festive-themed jigsaws, including Christmas Library 1000-piece and Christmas Market 1000-piece. New collectable jigsaw range, the Disney Castle Collection of 1000-piece puzzles comprises ten different puzzles, giving fans a peek inside the fantasy homes of favourite Disney Princesses, including Cinderella, Snow White and Jasmine.

Ravensburger will support key launches with TV, sponsorships and digital marketing programmes, complemented with ongoing PR throughout the second half.

Imagination Games

info@imaginationgames.com

As Imagination Games starts building momentum in the UK, it is looking forward to several new launches for the market this season, with stock arriving in time for those all-important Christmas sales.

Disney Game Night, already a huge hit down under, is a 10-pack of games featuring favourite Disney Characters. The box includes five physical games as well as five digital games. Games include having to guess the names of Disney characters, Dominoes, spin up a Villain, recreate Disney Princess pictures and the international awardwinning Ruckus card game. There are also five PowerPoint Party games, which are Disney editions of favourites like Family Feud, Bingo, Silhouettes, Toy Story Trivia and the hilarious play-along Out Doo game.

Gamestar+ titles include Scene it, Family Fortunes and Family Fortunes Kids vs Parents. Gamestar+ is bridging the gap between physical board games and digital with Social Games on Demand. Whether playing Scene it and streaming real movie clips while playing or having a family gameshow night with Family Fortunes and using the interactive buzzers, Gamestar+ enhances the board game experience for all.

Tipsyland is the perfect pairing for drinks with friends. Having taken off on Etsy, Imagination Games is now bringing this game to retail as a fresh introduction to the adult party games shelf. Tipsy Land will quickly become the go-to game for every party; packed with

and drinks, the game also features the classic Pick Someone Who and Never Have I Ever cards,

unique board game spaces made for calling out friends, silly dares, confessions, mini competitions

adding a little familiarity to this brand-new game.

Feature Games & Puzzles

Warlord Games

0115 978 4202 | www.tradehub.warlordgames.com

karl.boucher@warlordgames.com

For September, Warlord Games has several new releases. The wargaming miniatures company has an array of historical offerings for the Napoleonic War. In its groundbreaking Warlord Resin + material, it is releasing a set of British & French Peninsular War veterans: great looking models which are full of character, for enthusiasts to add to their collections.

These will be joined by new introductions for Bolt Action, Warlord’s WWII tabletop game. The company’s British Commando Starter Army is not only a cool kit but is also available at a more affordable price than other kits. To get into Bolt Action, collectors need a squad of soldiers, so the Starter Armies Warlord makes it really easy to get a lot of plastic kit in one’s hands to create an army.

The company’s perennial best-sellers, which continue to perform strongly, include the two-player starter sets for Bolt Action (Band of Brothers, Island Assault, A Gentleman’s War) giving two people the core of a force each, alongside everything needed to play the game. The Epic Range is another best-seller, to reenact historical eras like the Battle of Waterloo but on a much smaller scale.

Warlord’s Judge Dredd starter game: I am the Law! includes stunning models to showcase the long-running British comic book series. I am the Law! focuses on criminals versus the Judges in a showdown in Mega City One, and users can add their favourites such as Dredd himself or Judge Death into the mix.

To support retailers at Christmas, within the new business offering for Warlord, the team can supply a freestanding display unit and a point-of-sale pack. This contains posters, signs and window stickers to let people know that Warlord Games is being sold within the store and is offered free with orders. Warlord also runs campaigns to support stores attracting players to enjoy games in store.

A.B.Gee 01773 570444 | www.abgee.co.uk | sales@abgee.co.uk

For generations, Hornby, Airfix and Corgi have been synonymous with trains, plastic model kits and diecast vehicles, respectively. In recent years, Kidicraft has brought these beloved brands into the world of jigsaw puzzles. Now, exclusively distributed by A.B.Gee, enthusiasts can explore a new dimension to their hobbies from vintage locomotives, famous spitfires or the HMS Titanic, with 1000-piece puzzles that are suitable for everyone whether a history buff, vintage fan or just seeking a break from the fast-paced digital world. A 3000-piece Airfix Submarine Spitfire MK.1a special edition puzzle also includes an Airfix kit of the same model for a real play and display experience.

The Kevin Walsh 1000-piece Nostalgia range is incredibly popular and now boasts 36 designs. The appeal of these designs lies in their timeless charm and often feature classic images from the past, picturesque landscapes or historical moments. Favourites are the Station Buffet, The Village Shop, Out In The Country, Titanic’s Maiden Voyage and Rail & Canal. There are also six Christmas themed designs to complement the range.

To make a truly eye-catching display, FSDUs for all these brands are available free of charge when purchasing 48 puzzles, which are also 100% recyclable. Contact ABGee to find out more or visit the website to see the full range.

Games & Puzzles

Vivid Goliath

01483

449944 | www.vividtoysandgames.co.uk

Ice Cream Melt Down is a brand-new global Game for Vivid Goliath. Players take it in turns placing their treats onto the ice cream cone and must watch out as the slime slowly starts to melt like real ice cream. The first player to put all their treats on the ice cream cone wins.

Giant Shark Bite is a larger, reimagined version of the Goliath classic game Shark Bite. Players who snag the most fish win, but if the shark jumps, they will be his dinner. The more points, the higher the risk that players will make the shark jump on their turn.   Gooey Louie has had a re-design with new features, refreshing the nostalgic brand for a new generation. Players take it in turns to pick the ‘boogers’ from Louie’s nose, however, one wrong choice will make Louie’s brain explode and eyes pop out. The player with the most points at the end of the game wins.

Beat Blast is a new sequence-based game where players need quick reactions to swing the Beat Stick to the rhythm of the music and score points. Different colour lights indicate which movements are needed. There are different game modes and levels of difficulty.

From the hit BBC1 series, The Traitors, The Official Board Game lets players fully immerse themselves in the Traitors experience from the comfort of their own home. They need to use their wits to unmask the Traitor, or remain undetected as the Traitor, whilst competing alongside Faithfuls to try and win the prize pot.

For family fun and party games Vivid Goliath has a whole roster of new games including Pop Off, a quick play party game. Players pick up challenge cards and get popping with their ping pong balls and bespoke popping cups. The player with the highest score after successfully completing their challenge cards wins. Green Team Wins is all about picking the answer players think everyone would pick to gain points, if correct, they stay on the Green Team.

A whole new focus line for Vivid Goliath is strategy-based games which include Fire Tower and Honey Buzz. All these games are designed to test the mind to make the right choice, and every move counts.

A new addition to the True Crime, Supernatural and Podcast category, The Lunar Dial is a light strategy game. Based on the extremely successful Morbid True Crime podcast, which currently has more than 300 episodes, the goal of the game is to collect cards, reveal Zodiacs and earn crystal stars to score points.

Gibsons 020 8661 8866 | www.gibsonsgames.co.uk | sales@gibsonsgames.co.uk

In a world of digital distractions, Gibsons stands firm in its commitment to bring people together, through its exquisite jigsaw puzzles and design-led games. With a strong focus on sustainability and fostering lasting relationships with suppliers and consumers, Gibsons continues to make a significant impact in the gaming industry.

This autumn, Gibsons unveils a captivating line-up of jigsaw puzzles designed to delight puzzle enthusiasts of all levels, crafted by renowned artists including Kevin Walsh, Steve Crisp and Greg Giordano.

The new collection also features beloved licensed classics, Paddington and Care Bears, adding a touch of nostalgia and warmth to the puzzle experience, with 1000-piece jigsaws.

As part of its commitment to creativity and innovation, Gibsons has collaborated with The Art File to produce breathtaking 1000-piece portrait jigsaws crafted by talented artists and designers. The nature landscapes and habitats featured in these puzzles have been designed to transport puzzle enthusiasts to new worlds of wonder.

Gibsons latest limited-edition offering, Christmas Spirit, is the 21st limited edition Christmas puzzle produced by the company and features luxurious gold foiling on the box, including a unique serial numbered certificate.

Gibsons is also expanding its range of games. Fast Track is the thrilling card game recently added to the TfL lineup. Designed for ages 5+ and accommodating up to eight players, this game promises 15 minutes of fast-paced fun and strategic gameplay. Players attempt to match famous London landmarks, iconic icons and tube lines as they race to reach their destination first. Fast Track joins the growing TfL range alongside Race the Rails, Connecting London and the updated version of Mind the Gap, now featuring the Elizabeth line.

All of the Gibsons products are available to order at its trade portal.

Games & Puzzles

Toynamics

0116 478 5230 | www.toynamics.com

sales@toynamics.co.uk

Toynamics UK & Ireland’s brand portfolio offers a variety of different puzzles and games across brands, age groups and price points. At the core is Hape, with puzzles suitable from 12 months to six years. New for 2023 is the Four Seasons Puzzle, with 16 pieces and suitable from three years, this puzzle helps children discover the seasons with a friendly bear companion, encouraging imagination and curiosity. The new Underground World Puzzle, with 36 pieces, lets children four years and up discover everything underneath their feet including animals, fossils and even treasure. These innovative puzzles come with LED centre pieces and an educational poster in 11 different languages, bringing an educational yet interactive element to playtime. Hape’s range of puzzles includes best-sellers such as the Human Body Puzzle, and 1.5 metre Glow in the Dark puzzles in three different themes.

Educational brand Beleduc offers puzzles and board games designed to develop skills while interacting socially and having fun. The majority of Beleduc’s board game range has multiple ways to play, making the game easy to develop and become more challenging as children grow and develop their skills. Combining educational skill development and a memory game, Happy Magic comes with two ways to play. This engaging activity enhances fine motor skills and dexterity, as well as encouraging social interaction and co-operative play, and is made from high-quality wood.

In the universe of Nebulous Stars, an enchanting 1000-piece puzzle with a whimsical illustration will whisk users away to a world of fantasy. Nebulous Stars has a focus on mental well-being and escape, and this puzzle offers a tranquil place to get away from the stresses of life and focus on something else. Patience and perseverance will flourish as the masterpiece comes to life, as well as the joy of accomplishment once completed.

All Toynamics brands and products have full marketing support available, including POS and shop-in-shop solutions.

Orchard Toys

01953 859 539 | www.orchardtoys.com | sales@orchardtoys.com

Orchard Toys has new products in both the games and puzzles categories this year. Dinosaur Dig is expected to be a big seller this year, as dinosaurs continue to be on trend and the Jurassic Park movie celebrates its 30th anniversary. In this new, prehistoric fossil finding game, the challenge is to be the first to dig up and discover all the bones and build a 3D T-Rex dinosaur. Players take turns to hook matching coloured dinosaur bones with their pick, to build their own 3D dinosaur – but a T-Rex hiding in the mud could mean players lose pieces. It’s a great game for learning through play, for children aged four and over, helping players develop colour matching, memory and dexterity skills.

Unicorn Fun, featuring a selection of three magical unicorn themed games, contains three fun games in one box and offers consumers variety and value for money. Children can choose from board games Unicorn Party, featuring a 3D rainbow, or Happy Cloud Sad Cloud – a magical twist on snakes and ladders. Alternatively, kids can get creative and mix and match outfit combinations in Build a Unicorn. The set is suitable for children aged 4-8yrs, providing an ideal balance between learning and fun.

A new 50-piece floor jigsaw puzzle for Q3 is Outer Space. Depicting a cosmic journey into space, the fun and colourful scene is packed with astronauts and aliens, and features planets, telescopes, space rockets, flags and robots. For extra value, included with the jigsaw is a fun learning guide and a giant poster with lots for parents and children to talk about once the puzzle is built - developing knowledge of the world, encouraging observation, reinforcing counting skills and inspiring imaginative play. It’s suitable for young puzzlers from age four.

Orchard Toys games and puzzles are supported with a strong digital mix of social media and PR. Retailers are offered a comprehensive instore point of sale support package, from display banners to headers, shelf strips, product barcode booklets and merchandising. Additional instore support can also be discussed with Orchard Toys Sales reps or agents, and retailers also have direct access to download brand resources, including product and lifestyle imagery, videos, gameplay instructions and activity sheets, all great assets for letting consumers know about Orchard Toys wide range of games and puzzles.

Cartamundi

www.cartamundi.com | sales.uk@cartamundi.com

Brand new for 2023, Cartamundi’s Spidey & His Amazing Friends game is based on the hugely successful Spidey animated series. Swinging its way into stores from August, Spidey & His Amazing Friends Spidey Seek is an exciting game of find and seek with Spidey and his friends. Encouraging matching, co-ordinating and social skills, the simple play mechanic involves players racing to find the characters and fill their collector board first. The company has also brought Spidey & Friends to the family classic game of Dominoes.

House of the Dragon is a gripping fantasy drama with rich storytelling and breathtaking visuals. Cartamundi is introducing two new games for ages 17+ based on the hit drama series. House of the Dragon: Seat of Power challenges players to be the first to reach the throne, by conquering all cities with the help of their armies and dragons, while House of the Dragon: Sky of Fire is a strategy game where dragons are power and the ultimate goal is to gather as many dragons as possible to win. To get dragons players must first acquire gold and then use this to buy eggs. These can then be exchanged for dragons.

A new Lord of The Rings: Mount Doom game, set in the mystical realm of Middle-earth, is a game of strategy and skill where the aim of the game is for each team of 1-4 players to reach the fiery heart of Mount Doom. Players must also collect weapons and defeat Orcs along the way. If Sauron reaches Mount Doom before a player, they lose the game.

Launching pre-Christmas, a new Harry Potter – Escape from Azkaban game challenges players to work as a team or alone to solve puzzles in order to escape from the infamous Azkaban prison.

New lines will feature alongside the company’s best-selling games portfolio which includes Disney Princess and Marvel Race Home character-based board games; a competitively priced 4-in-1 card collection featuring Snap, Happy Families, Pairs and more; plus a host of Retro Board Games under the expanding Shuffle brand, each with unique and fun game play for ages 8+ based around movie and TV classics such as Jaws, Back To The Future, Knight Rider, ET and Friday 13th.

All Cartamundi new and existing Games will be supported with seasonal PR, digital media and influencer campaigns designed to develop evergreen content.

Funko Games

020 3376 3223 | www.funko.com

Funko Games has released four captivating new board and party games. The new games include those inspired by popular fandoms, an updated board game classic and an original pick-up-and-play party game perfect for casual gatherings.

For an experience to take players to the next frontier, Star Trek Cryptic allows fans to play through missions from the beloved era of Star Trek: The Next Generation. Meanwhile, Scream The Game is a cooperative party game of survival where the all too familiar voice of Ghost Face calls the players; the first ever English edition of the classic game by acclaimed designer Wolfgang Kramer, Big Boss emerges with a refreshed artdeco and early industrial design aesthetic; while the new Funko Games original Nuck Tats is the next word game obsession with its tattoo-inspired gameplay where only the cleverest will win.

In Star Trek Cryptic: A Puzzles and Pathways Adventure, players climb the ranks of Starfleet and explore strange new worlds in this puzzle-filled, action-packed ‘escape room’ game. Using the Padd as the guide, players decipher subspace transmissions, discover alien civilizations and prevent planetary disaster with logic, deduction and creative thinking. The game is designed for ages 10+ for one or more players.

In Scream The Game, the brutal killer Ghost Face is back in Woodsboro, and players have to combine wits to stay alive. As the clock ticks down, players help each other escape the murderer - but if the Ghost Face calls someone, they will be his next target. The game is for ages 13+ for three to eight players.

As skyscrapers and profits soar to new heights, players can build their fortune in Big Boss. They can launch companies and invest in new industries to earn capital, buy shares of burgeoning businesses and reap the rewards of lucrative mergers. For ages 10 and over for 2-6 players

Nuck Tats are messages tattooed on someone’s knuckles. In each round, one player reveals a customer—a celebrity, character, mythical creature, whoever— and everyone else writes Nuck Tats for that customer. The best tat wins the round. Designed for ages 10 and over for 3-6 players.

Cyanide & Happiness

www.explosm.net | logistics@explosm.net

Cyanide & Happiness’s games publisher Joking Hazard continues to deliver laughs – and has extended the fun to the whole family.

In its newest “messed up dating game” Master Dater, players get to unleash their creativity by designing wacky and lovable characters, all while vying for each other's attention and affection by pandering to some of the quirkiest dating interests one can imagine. Encouraging improvisational humour and off-the-wall interaction, Master Dater is easy to learn and ideal for games night.

The massively popular, self-titled Joking Hazard is an “extremely not-for-kids” card game which encourages players to compete with friends to finish a three panel comic with millions of possible combinations. With several expansions already available for purchase to bulk out the core game, there truly is a card for anything in Joking Hazard, for better or worse.

Coming very soon, Joking Hazard is expanding into the fully family-friendly sphere with Sosig. Sosig arrives as a pocket-sized option, focusing on competitively creating the ideal Sosig to defeat other players. Players use a variety of head and body cards to create Sosigs of different lengths, while using Mystery Meat cards to sabotage each other’s goals as they attempt to win awards and fulfil different orders, adding a competitive depth to the gameplay. Sosig's compact size, attractive artwork and easy-to-understand mechanics make it an ideal stocking filler or an extremely packable travel companion for long trips.

As Joking Hazard continues to captivate players, fans can look forward to more laughable and engaging games in the future.

Joking Hazard’s games are distributed by VR Distribution in the UK, and internationally by Blackfire Germany,

Cheatwell

02392

524 098 | www.cheatwell.com | sales@cheatwell.com

With more than 30 new game launches this year and a catalogue full of established bestsellers, Cheatwell is again investing in a heavyweight PR programme. Media PR Global will be focusing on a mix of best-sellers such as Tension, Topix, Spot The Intro and Family Quiz Night, plus many of the company’s new lines.

Best to Wurst is the game in which the answers to the silly questions don’t matter that much as it’s the laughs the answer gets by other players that counts. The best answer wins but there’s also a twist – even the worst answers are rewarded.

The Code Breakers box contains a series of cunning ciphers. It’s up to players to crack the codes and reveal the mystery phrases. Each card has a category which points players in the right direction; they must determine what the mystery letters stand for.

In The Numbers Game, it’s the fastest to the figures that wins the round. Players only have to be the closest to claim the counter. Each player has ten digits and when the question is read out, they race to nab the number. Players are always in with a chance of winning in this rapid game of number naming.

Relaunched this year in eye-catching new packaging, Host Your Own Pub Quiz is joined by four pint-sized local editions. Each game comes packed with questions on favourite topics, and every game is different.

In the Ghost Hunter series, players take on the role of new club members and set out on a quest to the notorious Blackmoor House. The aim is to compete against others to capture as many unholy spirits as possible, without succumbing to the terror of ending up haunted for life. There are three styles available: Monsters, Spirits and Vampires, and all are available in solids or a spooky assorted display. Meanwhile, Cadaver is a game for aspiring necromancers. Players compete to resurrect as many corpses as possible before the break of dawn, with different dead bodies requiring alternative assets.

Cat-Opoly is great fun for family and friends. A perfect gift for all cat lovers; players can buy their favourite cats such as the Siamese, Manx or the British Shorthair. Players who land on Catnip collect everything in the centre of the board, or those who collect Litter Boxes can trade them in for Fish Bones. Players may have to pay dog tax to get past the neighbourhood bully, a spike collared bulldog, or they may fall in the water and be out for three turns.

SpilBraet, Lion Rampant in Canada and ACDD in the United States.

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Who’s the real fan?

Games & Puzzles

Hippychick

01278 434 440 | www.hippychick.com

From mystical unicorns to tropical sea life, the Crocodile Creek brand strives to provide little ones with a puzzle that’s perfect for them. Whether a child is fascinated by maths and the numerical world, or if they are more interested in wildlife and their animal companions, the selection of beautifully designed puzzles offered by Crocodile Creek will develop children’s problemsolving skills, as well as help to improve hand-eye coordination. The puzzles come in an extensive range of sizes and designs, such as Jungle Friends and Space Explorer, which are both 36 pieces – or Puzzle Posters, which are 200 pieces. In addition to the outstanding quality that Crocodile Creek promises, these fun puzzles also come in uniquely shaped boxes, standing out on a store shelf and making the toy more intriguing for younger eyes.

Distributed in the UK by Hippychick, Crocodile Creek has stuck by cherished values that make the business what it is today ever since 1985. The company has a strong passion ensuring a safe, sustainable world for children to flourish in. All toys are thoroughly tested to international standards and are certified to FSC, giving children the joy of today and the promise of tomorrow.

Big Potato

www.bigpotato.co.uk | trade@bigpotato.co.uk

Since its launch in 2020, Big Potato’s Herd Mentality has sold nearly 400,000 copies in the UK alone, placing it at number 10 in the NPD charts. It recently won an ASTRA Award and has continued to grow its herd to include a digital version in Big Screen Games, and now a music and movies edition with Herd Mentality: Moosic & Moovies.

The gameplay is simple, silly and fun. Everyone writes down an answer to a daft question, such as, “What’s the best sauce?”. Players are not trying to write what they think, but what they think will be the most popular answer among the group. If an answer is in the majority, that player collects cows to grow their herd. An answer that is the odd one out lands the grumpy pink cow and that player can’t win the game until she has been offloaded in another round. Like all Big Potato games, Herd Mentality is easy to learn, quick to play and hard to put down. A small mention in the rules states that players can “Moo!” at people if they’re taking too long to think of an answer, which adds to the laughter and fun. The game has gone viral on TikTok many times over the last three years, raking in over 11m views.

Bandai UK

020 8324 6160 | www.bandai.co.uk | sales@bandai.co.uk

Bandai brings a new craze to the Games & Puzzles category with the introduction of Amazon US No.1 toy, Shashibo, to the UK market.

Shashibo – meaning Shape Shifting Box – uses 36 rare earth magnets for an innovative design to connect and transform each box into more than 70 different shapes. An addictively compelling experience, Shashibo offers multiple play patterns for mindchallenging fun, while promoting focus and the benefits of calming and sensory toys.

STEM and STEAM certified, each Shashibo cube is made from recycled plastic and is suitable for onward recycling. The first collection launched by Bandai UK is the Explorer Series, which includes four different designs comprising Elements, Earth, Moon and Undersea. Offering collectible, repeat purchase appeal, additional shapes can be created by combining multiple Shashibo cubes and making even larger mesmerising sculptures and structures.

A robust mixed marketing campaign to support the launch is in place to include digital, social, influencer, PR and experiential activations. POS options have also been developed to best showcase product features for immediate in-store and on-shelf impact.

Games & Puzzles

Epoch Games

0208 049 1377 | www.epochgames.co.uk sales@epochmakingtoys.com

Following the success of the Super Mario Bros. Movie released in April, Epoch Games launched a host of new games including the exclusive movie tie-in, Route ‘n Go! In the action-packed puzzle game, players slide the tiles to lead Mario and Luigi’s van to the finish line without falling off the track. Featuring two speed levels, the game can be played three ways. In single player mode, the aim is to reach the end in the least number of moves possible. In two player mode, players work co-operatively, taking it in turns to move the van until it reaches the goal; or competitively, by hindering their opponent’s progress. The game is suitable for ages five and over.

Also new for 2023, Super Mario Rally Tennis is a fun tabletop tennis game where players slide their characters left and right to receive the ball and hit the button at the right time to serve and return. A scoreboard helps players keep track of the match in true tennis style and the included collectible figures, Mario and Luigi, can be used interchangeably with other games that are part of Epoch Games Link System. The game is suitable for ages five and over and requires no batteries.

The final addition to the Epoch Games range for this year is the Lucky Coin Game which is based on the classic ‘coin drop’ arcade game with moving platforms. In this game of chance, players insert the coins at the right time to win more coins, character chips and ‘?’ blocks. Suitable for ages four and over.

Other highlights in the Super Mario Games range include Super Mario Adventure Game DX, Super Mario Blow Up! Shaky Tower and Mario Kart Racing DX. The latter can now be extended with the Mario Kart Racing Expansion Set which features two new characters, Bowser and Toad, complete with karts and launchers. The different weights of each kart will enhance racing play while the launchers can be used for thrilling tilt and go starts.

Professor Puzzle

0203 829 0844 | www.professorpuzzle.com | ContactUs@ProfessorPuzzle.com

Professor Puzzle has grown into a successful global business which pushes creative boundaries and excels at developing engaging products to be enjoyed for years to come. The business is constantly expanding into new categories, with products brimming with original gameplay and fresh design ideas. The fast-paced card game, May Contain Butts, has quickly become a global best-seller; players race to react and match animals’ fronts and butts to collect the most cards. With adorable cartoon illustrations and hilarious action cards, this game can be enjoyed by kids and adults alike and can be played head-to-head or with up to six players.

Professor Puzzle has gained a formidable global reputation in the world of escape room games. Its latest adventure, Curse of the Dark, features 22 interlinking puzzles which challenge players' intellect and teamwork and is just one title in this category. Players are challenged to unravel the mysteries within the castle's floor plan using innovative puzzle components and an interactive tiled map.

Bridging the gap between physical and digital gaming, Professor Puzzle’s original, crime-solving game, Hush Money, sees players take on the role of detective as they try to solve the murder of an unidentified body that’s been discovered in a Chicago alley. Using only items found inside the victim’s wallet, player’s unlock clues and assess evidence on the Online Detective Portal. This hybrid game guarantees a unique gaming experience, whether played solo or collaboratively.

Professor Puzzle’s rapidly growing catalogue also boasts a new range of family-friendly party games, as well as smart-thinking strategy and card games: Too Much Info, a party game about saying just enough; Outer Space, a strategy game where cards are played to build an ever-expanding universe; Traitor’s Tide, a game of looting and deducing and Celebs, a card game of fame, deals and scandal.

As well as pushing the boundaries of what puzzles and games can achieve, Professor Puzzle works hard to make sustainability part of its everyday. Whether it’s reducing the amount of plastic used in its products, gaining FSC certification or printing with soy inks, the company is continually working to reduce its carbon footprint, one piece at a time.

Games & Puzzles

Golden Bear

www.goldenbeartoys.com |

customerservices@goldenbeartoys.co.uk

Golden Bear is bolstering its presence in the family and party games sector this autumn with the introduction of four new games, building its portfolio with a selection of new launches and distribution partnerships.

Some of the company’s new releases are family-friendly party games which are are quick to learn and easy to play. Farty Freddie is positioned as a ‘Pass the Parcel with a stinky twist’. Players pass Freddie around and when the music stops, they wait to hear if the cheeky plush monkey farts, giggles or burps to play the next move in the game. The novelty, fun-for-all-the-family game appeals to all ages and is presented in standout, try-me packaging for instant impact and disruption on shelf.

Squirty Gertie is an interactive game for all ages where the aim is to avoid getting wet. Including two modes of play, players compete to beat their opponents by remaining dry throughout the game. Either they race against another player while in competition mode or opt for in turn mode where one wrong move sees Gertie squirt water over the loser.

Golden Bear enters the tabletop games sector with Mind Meld, a new, fast-paced game based on the popular TikTok trend. Players are invited to shout out a word and challenge others to see if they can mind read and achieve the ultimate Mind Meld. With two game modes to choose from, gameplay can be head-to-head or in a group, making Mind Meld the perfect game for any occasion and for players of all ages.

Fan Zone is another exciting addition to the company’s tabletop games and complements the Smart Ball range perfectly as it’s ideal for football enthusiasts. Players can expect a footie frenzy of ‘true or false’ quiz questions from the virtual Games Master, with 500 questions on five different football topics including World Cup, Champions League, National League, Great Players and Fun Facts. With two different player modes – 7+ and 14+ depending on levels of difficulty required – Fan Zone is ideal for adults and children alike and can be played by up to six players.

Melissa and Doug

0203 911 7483 | melissaanddoug.co.uk

Melissa & Doug’s pre-school puzzles are synonymous with quality and design. With a steadfast commitment to developmental play, this year the brand is launching a range of innovative puzzles designed to take the genre to new levels in both engagement and play value.

Both the Round the Shore Track Puzzle and the Round the World Track Puzzle feature built-in tracks for the included wind-up vehicles; a child can have fun assembling the jigsaw and then set in motion the vehicle on the track, thereby extending the toy’s play value and engagement. From promoting number recognition and alphabet learning in the Round the Shore Track Puzzle, to familiarising children with global landmarks in the Round the World Track Puzzle, these offerings provide rich educational value wrapped in delightful play. Giving a refreshing spin to its successful ice cream line, Melissa & Doug introduces the Ice Cream Magnetic Puzzle for autumn/winter 2023, a fusion of a classic puzzle and a pretend play set. Its 16 magnetic pieces offer both structured puzzle play and imaginative pretend play, nurturing motor skills, spatial reasoning and creativity.

Also for autumn/winter, Melissa & Doug is launching the Underwater Wooden Gear Puzzle and the Animal Chase I-Spy Wooden Gear Puzzle. The new lines offer gears within the puzzles that can be moved as the pieces fall into place. As children engage with the interlocking gears, fine motor skills are refined. The puzzles also stimulate young minds, igniting curiosity and an understanding of cause and effect, fostering logic, patience and the excitement of setting and achieving goals.

The Safari Chunky Wooden Puzzle and the Farm Sound Puzzle, both time-tested favourites, have received fresh updates, amplifying their appeal for the modern market. The Safari Chunky Wooden Puzzle, with its matching pictures beneath easy-grasp, chunky animal pieces, invites little ones to develop their fine motor skills and creative expression. Similarly, the multi-sensory Farm Sound Puzzle stimulates hand-eye coordination, matching and listening skills while introducing children to the iconic sounds of farm life.

Games & Puzzles

Abrams and Chronicle

www.abramsandchronicle.co.uk | info@abramsandchronicle.co.uk

Ridley’s Games has a new line-up this year, including Escape Room Game with a twist, Timescape: Saving Shakespeare. Players team up as Agents of the History Correction Syndicate to rescue the barred Bard before it's too late. Stepping back in time and immersing themselves in the world of Elizabethan England, players use their powers of logic, wit and perseverance to solve the puzzles and prove William Shakespeare's innocence. Perfect for friends, families, puzzle solvers and escape room fanatics, the game is suitable for ages 12+, for two or more players and has an average 60-minute gameplay. Unlike most escape puzzle games, Timescape: Save Shakespeare is entirely reusable and re-giftable as the content is not damaged during play.

Piece of Cake is a fast-paced card game where players compete to be the first to bake three perfect cakes. It includes 90 cake slice-shaped game cards in novelty cake slice style packaging. Perfect for friends, families and lovers of bake-offs, it's suitable for ages 6+, 2-4 players, has an average 15-minute gameplay and includes instructions in English, French, Italian, German and Spanish.

Roarsome!, the Dino-might card matching game, is an easy-to-learn card game, where players aim to create as many three-in-a-row matches as possible to collect Roarsomepoints but must watch out for the dino poop. With 60 double-sided illustrated cards in an egg-shaped case, Roarsome! is suitable for ages six and over, for 2-6 players and has an average 15-minute gameplay. There is no plastic packaging for this product; the novelty dinosaur egg-shaped case is made using corn starch.

Wacronyms is a quick-thinking party game which will make grown-ups laugh out loud. Suitable for adults only, the game is best with 3-12 people, and can be played for as long as players like. Everyone competes by creating the wildest and wittiest acronyms, abbreviations and initialisms before the timer runs out. With 120 Topics and 94 Letters (plus Special Rounds too), there are thousands of possible combinations.

Ridley’s Games has added these to its extensive catalogue of hilarious party games and fast-paced card games, jigsaw puzzles, trivia and travel-friendly and adult-only games. All the company’s games are made using FSC paper and soy inks in fun eye-catching packaging. All-time best-sellers include Avocado Smash, Selfish, House Plants Jigsaw Puzzle, Van Life and Funky Fungi.

Hachette Boardgames has continued to bring a wide range of games to the UK market this year, at pace. At the recent UK Games Expo, the company launched more than 20 new titles to broaden its offering with products which help retailers fill each category.

Stomp The Plank from The Flying Games has been a massive hit for family gaming but also been a surprise hit with the Kidult market. The game is dynamic with its unique box system housing hidden magnets which create the fun factor when the gang planks are applied. The challenge for each Pirate Elephant is to push their luck when revealing hidden treasure cards but avoid matching a pair. If these are revealed, the forfeit is to apply barrels to the end of the planks and eventually, the heaviest board will ensure a watery splash for the unlucky player. The game is drawing a fantastic response with both national and independent retailers and is available exclusively through Hachette for the UK & Irish market.

Crack List has exploded into the party game scene these past few months. First revealed at Toy Fair in January, the game fits perfectly into the card party game scene. Crack List allows players to turn a Category card and then begin playing word associations from the letter cards in their hand. The card shedding system means players need to get rid of their cards as quickly as possible, so it is vital to use the action cards to their advantage. Crack List is already a book & games store favourite, and all themes have been modified and updated to fit the UK market.

After Us has been the hottest property in the new line-up of games for 2023. Pre-launched at UK Games Expo, the game sold out in less than 10 minutes. Tapping into the ever-popular post-Apocalypse theme, After Us is unique in its survivor narrative with its varying species of monkey forced to resource build to survive. In each round, players gather artefacts and resources left behind by humans in order to build points and protect their species. There are a number of additional themes and mechanics that allow for end of round points to be gained. A confirmed hit with gamers across the country, pre-sales of the first print run indicate that After Us looks set to become a hit this winter season across the UK.

Brand new titles right across the range complement the existing portfolio, meaning there’s plenty to come for the rest of 2023 for Hachette retail customers.

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01420 593 593

| www.asmodee.co.uk

Asmodee’s mantra is focused around ‘More People Playing More Games More Often’ and during the rainy British summer, Dobble Connect and Dobble Waterproof have been two of the company’s most loved games so far this year.

Dobble has been a staple in board game cupboards for more than 12 years and Asmodee continues to add to the family with Dobble Friends, Dobble Harry Potter, Dobble Scouts and more. Dobble Connect was a natural extension of the brand. It is fast-paced and frantic: the aim of the game is to be the fastest team to connect four cards in their colour, in a row. Everyone plays at the same time, so teams need a strategy to avoid being blocked by the opposition. Dobble Waterproof is a holiday-season must-have, due to its fully waterproof cards and lightweight travel bag. The game is suitable for ages eight and over. Retail support so far has included POS solutions and retail demonstration whilst marketing support focused on PR, targeted social media influencers and a social media campaign.

Toodles is the latest brainchild of Radio 1 DJ Matt Edmondson’s party game brand Format Games which was created in 2020 in partnership with his brother-in-law, Laurence Emmett. This indie label first entered the game space with its highly successful Ansagrams game and has not slowed down since. Many Format Games are focused on a wordy twist. Toodles is a party game which requires players to draw together using the same pen and beat the game by scoring points. There are three difficulty levels to choose from, with a playing time of 15-20 minutes. It is suitable for 3-10 players aged seven and up.

Marketing support has been focused around Matt Edmondson himself and his successful social media channels and radio show, alongside targeted PR, influencer support and retail demonstrations.

Other strong sellers which Asmodee believes will do well this festive season include Bunny Hops!, which can be played by up to 16 people, and Pass the Bomb. In Pass the Bomb, players try to come up with a word which contains a certain sequence of letters before the ticking time-bomb in their hands explodes. This frantic game is a wonderful exercise in wordsummoning and can be played by up to 12 players, ages eight and over.

John Adams

01480

414 361 | www.johnadams.co.uk

John Adams Leisure’s range of Ideal games continues to grow in strength and volume with new additions in the Family, Party and Children’s Action Games categories. Following the success of Don’t Be a Scaredy Bear, John Adams has fun for all ages with new action games Diggy the Dog and Flip Frog. The new games provide lots of opportunities for families to connect and laugh together.

This Side Up is the fast-paced, parcel flipping reaction game. Players follow This Side Up's voice commands, flipping the parcel until the correct colour is facing upwards. As the instructions get faster, they continue until they drop the box. Included are four fun, frantic games to play, which can be played solo, against others or as teams in multi-mode.

In Smash Down, everyone knows the answer, but it’s all about who can be the first to smash their finger pointer down the quickest on the correct word or number.

Qwaffle is a game of words and letters which can be played on the go. To succeed, players must find a word which matches the starting letter and category – it can be real or as much waffle as the player likes.

In Flipolo, players try to be the first to flip, switch and place all their double-sided Harry Potter character tiles to match and complete their gameboard. Continuing to strengthen the John Adams licensed property portfolio are two new Teenage Mutant Turtles games designed to complement the new Mutant Mayhem movie. For TV Gameshow fans, The 1% Club game is a fun competitive board game based upon the hit TV show. The Rubik’s range includes a new special edition collectible Disney Cube celebrating 100 years of Disney Wonder. Coming later this autumn, ready for Q4, are two new Squishmallow games for Squishmallows super fans and board game enthusiasts to enjoy. Squish Squash is a strategic card game to become the ultimate Squishmallows master where players compete to be the first to collect six Squishmallows cards in their basket. Hopes of victory may be squished in an instant with a well-timed action card. For families with younger Squishmallows fans, Squishmallows Flipolo is the perfect observation game. Players race to match up all their Squishmallows double-sided tiles to their gameboard, flipping and switching until all tiles are in place. Each time it is played, the challenge is different, and there are double-sided gameboards.

Families and friends can also bring the fun of Bingo to a gathering with Electronic Bingo, which includes everything needed for the best bingo night, with eight different games to play. Meanwhile,

Find Finley tasks players to gather clues and search for Finley on the map in a hide and seek extravaganza.

John Adams’ commitment to classic brands continues with new additions to the Rummikub brand, including a premium Rummikub City version, Rummikub XXL with bigger numbers for the visually impaired and an exciting six player edition, meaning more tiles and more fun.

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.

PlayMonster

01628 488 944

trade@playmonster.com

www.playmonster.co.uk

PlayMonster UK’s games portfolio goes from strength to strength this autumn/ winter. Toy Fair Hero Toy winner, Pigs on Trampolines, is a new fast-paced and fun game for all the family where players use the trampolines to bounce their pigs into the pig pen. The player with the most pigs in the mud pit wins the game. Staying with pig-themed games, Stinky Pig sees players poke his belly to hear him sing and then roll the dice to see which way to pass him. Once he toots, the player will get a token.

The award-winning 5 Second Rule portfolio, which holds the coveted No.1 travel game spot (Circana June 2023), will be boosted with a brand-new launch. 5 Second Rule Relay is a fast-paced twist on the game; players must name one thing in under 5 seconds and then pass the relay baton on before the time runs out. Everyone must answer the same question with a different answer.

PlayMonster UK also has a captivating new range of card games. Five Crowns is the best-selling and award-winning five-suited rummy style card game with a rotating wild card. Set card game challenges players in a race to find as many three card sets as they can. Using a rule of logic to find a spatial array of patterns, it builds skill and exercises the brain. Okay, Genius challenges players to guess other players’ opinions on ridiculous topics, such as "What is the perfect number of clowns to come out of a clown car?" or "How many spoons make up a respectable spoon collection. In Holey Moley, players put their fingers through the card holes and then figure out what they are or what they’re holding by asking questions. Fingers could be an elephant’s trunk, donkey ears or they could be holding an ice cream.

HoloToyz

01937 586218 | www.holotoyz.com

The launch of HoloToyz's new range of 4D cube puzzles and jigsaw puzzles reflects the company's commitment to both innovation and to ensuring that the children of today do not lose touch with the physical world. These new puzzles offer a unique experience for children, allowing them to build their puzzles and then bring them to life using the free kidSAFE HoloToyz app.

The 4D magnetic cube puzzles are particularly impressive, providing children with fun playability and the challenge of building all six sides of a cube before adding the extra layer of bringing it to life through the app. This innovative technology adds an exciting new element to the traditional concept of a puzzle, enhancing children's cognitive development while also providing an engaging and enjoyable experience.

Jigsaw puzzles are another strong addition to the HoloToyz range, allowing children to build their puzzles and then bring them to life in the same way as the 4D cube puzzles. This combination of physical and digital play provides a truly unique experience that will keep children entertained and engaged for hours on end.

At a time when so many children are spending more and more time on digital devices, HoloToyz is placing a strong emphasis on the importance of physical play. By combining traditional products with innovative technology, HoloToyz has found a way to bridge the gap between the physical and digital worlds, providing children with a truly unique and enjoyable experience.

Games & Puzzles

HTI Toys

01253 778 888 | www.htigroup.co.uk

HTI continues to develop its ranges across all categories, including the ever-growing family game lines offered under Epic Fun! With a diverse range of game types, including Board Games, Marble Run, Family Fun, Premium Games, along with exciting new Pick and Play lines and Licensed Games, Epic Fun! works to enhance gaming experiences. The board games from Epic Fun! offer a perfect blend of strategy, skill and friendly competition, providing endless opportunities for laughter and bonding with family and friends.

The new Epic Fun! Who's Who? game is perfect for any occasion, whether it's a children's party, a family game night or while camping or on holiday. HTI's Who's Who? game provides hours of fun, as players simply place their character cards into the game grids and guess who their opponent has chosen.

Alongside its new additions, Epic Fun! also offers a full range of family games such as Crazy Unicorn, Magical Snakes and Ladders and Shaking Surgeon.

HTI continues to keep strong ties with many top titles allowing the creation of some amazing character-based toys such as Pop Up Peppa and Pop Up Pup Chase. Pop Up Peppa is perfect to get everyone involved; players divide out the keys between them and take it in turns to poke a key into Peppa, being careful not to make her pop.

James Galt & Co

0161 428 9111 | www.galttoys.com | salesUK@jumboplay.com

Jumbo is striking the right note with game and puzzle lovers this season, with the all-new music party game Hitster and its ever-popular portfolio of adult puzzles from Wasjig.

The arrival of Jumbo Games’ latest addition to the games aisle will be music to retailers’ ears. Already a sell-out success in Europe, Hitster is the unique and fun music party game for all occasions. This ultimate game for music-lovers invites players to create an instant party, promising an evening of laughter, singing, dancing and fun. Featuring more than 300 of the greatest hits from the last 100 years, designed for all over the age of 16, this brilliant game can be played with 2-10 players. Quickly explained, thanks to its simple rules, players begin by picking a music card and scanning the QR code with the free Hitster app. The song will play automatically in Spotify, presenting players with the challenge of guessing when the song was released and placing it in chronological order in their music timeline before flipping the card over. If it’s in the correct place, they keep the card to create their timeline. An ideal party game for any crowd, Hitster offers both a competitive and cooperative game option. It comes with 308 music cards and 37 Hitster tiles, making it the perfect party soundtrack.

Hitster arrives to the UK and Ireland with the support of a full programme of activity. The fun kicked off with experiential marketing, including demonstrations at music festivals, influencer and celebrity social media activity, heavyweight digital pre-roll and an always-on Meta advertising campaign, all designed to help drive further awareness and demand for this new addition to the portfolio in Q4.

Meanwhile, Jumbo’s original brainteasing jigsaw brand Wasgij continues to challenge puzzlers to use their imagination as they piece together the solution to what’s on the box. Christmas starts early with the recently launched best-selling Wasgij Christmas puzzle 19, which this year celebrates the Santa Dash. Aquarium Antics Wasgij Original 43 Puzzle offers brain-swimming puzzling. Also new this year, and proving a hit with music and puzzle enthusiasts alike, Wasgij Mystery 25 –Eurosound Contest is a hilarious new puzzle celebrating the musical extravaganza in all its dramatic glory. Puzzlers use the clues to help piece together what will happen next in this 1,000-piece offering.

Puzzlers can also keep their progress safe and secure with Puzzle Mates accessories. The Portapuzzle and Puzzle and Roll ranges provide tidy storage solutions which allow puzzlers to conveniently store and transport their favourite jigsaws. Jumbo always promises something new to discover for fans of puzzles and games, so consumers are urged to keep a lookout for new releases all year round.

Games & Puzzles

Hasbro

0208 569 1234 | www.hasbro.co.uk

Hasbro Gaming continues to innovate and add value to its much-loved classic games with the launch of Twister Air. This new app-enabled game takes the classic Twister gameplay fans know and love from the mat to the screen using augmented reality with no mat required.

With Twister Air, the party moves onto a smart device. Players reach, clap, swipe and strike poses to music beats as they scramble to earn points by matching wrist and ankle bands to the coloured spots on the screen. To get started, players download the free Twister Air app, available on Android and iOS, and place their smartphone or tablet in the provided Twister Air device stand. Everyone is ready for action once they put the colourful, stretchy Twister Air bands on their wrists and ankles and follow the steps in the Twister Air App to calibrate their bands to their device’s camera. As soon as the music plays, play begins. With three different ways to play – Solo, VS or Teams mode – the replayability is infinite.

In celebration of the new game launch, Hasbro has also released a new, original song, Twist in the Air, which will be available to play in-game, featured in advertising and available on major streaming platforms including Apple Music, Spotify and TikTok.

For tabletop and strategy gaming fans, Hasbro recently launched a new expansion to fan favourite, Avalon Hill’s HeroQuest. The dramatic story of treachery and unrest in the elven kingdom continues in this HeroQuest Rise of the Dread Moon expansion.

As a brave knight, players are challenged to free Elethorn from the clutches of Zargorn. They embark on dangerous quests as they seek the aid of the Cadre of the Raven's Veil to help stop Zargorn's forces of Dread from destroying the kingdom. Fans are challenged to navigate a dark labyrinth of waterways, an underground city and more perilous locations, but must be wary as Zargon's forces grow ever stronger with the rise of the Dread Moon. Players can immerse themselves in the adventure with 10 daring quests, stunning artwork, 29 detailed miniatures and full-colour tiles. The game requires HeroQuest Game System to play, sold separately. This fantasy game for adults and teens has limitless replayability and allows players to create their own quests and stories. Perfect for getting friends together for an exciting night of tabletop gameplay in a battle of good and evil, the game is for 2-5 players, aged 14+.

Character Options

0161 633 9800 | www.character-online.com | sales@charactergroup.plc.uk

Character Options’ most popular games include Stay Active Jump-It Wipe Out and TapTap Smart Fidget. Perfect for getting the heart pumping and great for both indoor or outdoor play is Stay Active Jump-It Wipe Out. Celebrities and other high-profile influencers took on the ultimate fast, fun musical jump challenge fitness game late last year, catapulting it onto Christmas wish lists, and the game remains in high demand. The musical game brings a fast, fun jump challenge into the home; players jump over the rotating soft foam bar and avoid being wiped out.

TapTap Smart Fidget is a palm-sized fidget gamer. This ultimate boredom buster enhances the basic fidget function with five high-touch, high-tech games which sync play and learning, targeting a host of specific skills. With Match-It! players flip the white pixels by tapping them, in a bid to find matching colour pairs. With Sequence, the objective is to repeat the sequence displayed on the outer corners. The other games are Stop & Go, Raindrops, Eat Greens and Copy That.

Basic Fun!

0118 925 3270 | www.basicfun.com | Tim.Ives@basicfun.com

Basic Fun! UK’s classic Lite-Brite brand introduces Lite-Brite Touch this autumn.

Lite-Brite combines peg art with light, allowing budding artists of all ages to create beautiful pictures that glow. This season, fresh innovation means Lite-Brite Touch brings the iconic brand to a new generation of children and teens. At the touch of a button, budding artists can create light designs, animate their art and save their digital artwork, and can also play three addictive games: Break, Match and Snake.

With Lite Break, players use the corner buttons to deflect the ball and break away coloured blocks at the top of the screen. Once cleared, a new level begins, but miss the ball three times and it’s game over. With Lite Match, one side of the board lights up with colours to match. The object of the game is to change all the colours to match those on the left side. The classic game of Lite Snake, tasks players to moves the snake around the screen, eating coloured spots that randomly appear and disappear. The more spots the snake eats, the longer it grows, making it harder and harder to avoid the danger zones.

This is a key launch for Basic Fun! UK, with a huge marketing campaign which will include heavyweight digital support. The pre-roll activity alone will deliver millions of views across the season to generate awareness among kids aged eight years and over, as well as retro and tech fans.

Games & Puzzles

Plus-Plus

0333 050 0144 | www.Plus-Plus.com | info.uk@plus-plus.com

The Plus-Plus Puzzle by Number range combines ‘paint by number’ artistry with the satisfaction of puzzle solving. Combining creativity and STEM based learning, the bright creations are strong enough to be displayed or even hung with no glue or heat required to keep them together.

By way of introduction to the range, there are three basic sets to choose from –Unicorn, Hearts or Adventure – each of which contain 250 colourful pieces and a playmat which instructs kids how to pair the numbers with matching colours to complete the puzzle. Once mastered, they can move up a level where a further three sets including Rainbow, Space and the popular Rocket include 500 pieces each.

The 800-piece sets have been designed to really test artistry and patience while making something unique and creative, with the satisfaction of producing a large piece of colourful artwork. The 800-piece sets available are a colourful Butterfly and a beautiful Peacock, both of which measure 28cm x 28cm and can be easily hung or stuck to a surface to show off the artist’s talent.

All the Puzzle by Numbers kits contain a selection of ten colours and are held to together simply by connecting the pieces. Once the puzzle is complete, they can be taken apart and added to a Plus-Plus collection to create more open play 2D and 3D creations.

Plus-Plus is a socially and environmentally responsible company. The factory and headquarters in Denmark run on 100% green energy from wind power, and all products and packaging are 100% recyclable.

Clementoni

020 3206 1397 | www.clementoni.com | clemuk@clementoni.com

For over 50 years, Clementoni has been a pioneer of jigsaw puzzles, producing high quality products which tap into market trends, consumer interests and popular licences. The Clementoni range continues to expand through innovative ideas, strategic partnerships and interesting features for all ages.

A new line of Compact Box 1000-piece puzzles offers the same high-quality puzzles as before, now packed more efficiently to reduce shipping “air”. Included in the pack is a large poster to further enhance the consumer build experience. All key licences are available in the new compact size including Disney Classics, Marvel, Warner Bros, DC and Universal. A partnership with Netflix also sees the latest titles in the new format, such as Stranger Things, The Witcher and Squid Game.

With high quality design at its core, Clementoni has released the Anime Collection for 2023, building on the resurgence in popularity of the category. This covers key properties such as One Piece, Dragon Ball and Attack on Titan. In addition to standard puzzle formats, Clementoni is launching a new 500-piece Cube 500 Pack targeted at the collector market.

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. Q4 will see the launch of Stitch across all key formats as well as Disney Wish to support the movie release. Gabby’s Dollhouse and Trolls Band Together are two brand new licences for 2023. The latest launches add to an impressive portfolio of generic products as well as licences from major TV and movie properties.

Spin Master Toys

01628 535 000 | www.spinmastertoys.co.uk

Spin Master Games has a selection of innovative and imaginative board games for the whole family. With something for everyone, family competitive spirit comes to life with popular games such as Sink N’ Sand, Hedbanz, Beat the Parents and new Monkey See, Monkey Poo.

The new Monkey See, Monkey Poo game will have the kids in fits of giggles as they fling poo to collect bananas and climb their way to victory. Players select one of the cheeky monkey characters including P.U, Stink or Gassy George, and spin the spinner to see how many flings they get. Players load the tail with dough then pinch and shape poo before launching. They aim at the Banana Token filled tree and collect a Banana Token for each Bunch knocked over, while climbing to the top.

The popular Sink N’ Sand game takes players on a wild jungle adventure as they aim to be the last one standing in the iconic and flowing Kinetic Sand. Players start by rolling the die and pulling a stick with the aim of not falling into the quicksand. Finding a Redemption Ruby among the sand means another chance at survival. Sink N’ Sand is full of quicksand and excitement that everyone can enjoy and is suitable for 2-4 players, aged 4+. The game comes with an easy-to-scan QR code for detailed instructions and has everything required to play right away.

Another great option for family games night is Hedbanz. It’s everyone’s favourite game of What am I? which is simple to play. Players simply pick a headband and a picture card, place it upon their head and guess by answering a handful of yes or no questions from other players. It’s the ultimate race against the clock and ideal for the whole family.

The fun-filled family trivia game for all ages, Beat the Parents, will have adults and kids battling it out for household bragging rights. Each team reads trivia questions about their generation to the other side, moving their pawn on the board with every successful answer. When players reach a Challenge space, they compete team vs team in crazy, up-and-active challenges. The game comes with 110 question cards and 50 challenge cards, meaning endless amounts of family fun.

Ladders

Games & Puzzles

Kayes of Cardiff

Children learn through play and we are passionate about developing games and jigsaws that strike the perfect balance between education and fun. This Orchard Toys game has been carefully designed to:

Develop number & counting skills

Encourage group play

Promote observational skills

2-4

029 2036 3678 | www.kayes.co.uk | orders@kayes.co.uk

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For more festive fun you may also like:

Kayes of Cardiff is partnered with many leading brands in the Games and Puzzles market to support the wide demand for this key sector in the toy industry. Orchard Toys, Mattel, Ravensburger, Think Fun, Jumbo, John Adams, Playmonster, Tomy, Curious Universe and Winning Moves all provide leading and sought after products, giving Kayes a fully comprehensive selection.

1 jigged playing board • 1 dice • 4 character playing pieces • 1 instruction leaflet Contents

A boardclassic with a fun festive twist!

For more activities and to view our full range, visit:

A host of 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. A range of pocket money games, which are popular throughout the year,

www.orchardtoys.com

4-8

Over the last few years Kayes has seen phenomenal growth in demand for Games and Puzzles including specialist and collectible games. The popular Villainous range from Ravensburger and the many expansion packs that complement the original game have set the stage for the launch of the new

Children learn through play and we are passionate about developing games and jigsaws that strike the perfect balance between education and fun.

This Orchard Toys puzzle has been carefully designed to:

4-8

4-8 4-8 2-4

Educational games and puzzles from Orchard Toys contribute vastly to the growth in the sector and have given Kayes the confidence in commissioning exclusive products for Christmas from Orchard. The two items, a 50-piece puzzle and Christmas version of Snakes and Ladders, have already seen strong forward orders in time for their September supply from Kayes.

Promote discussion Develop hand-eye coordination

Encourage problem solving skills

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Best sellers include Orchard’s Shopping List game, while for the older child, the Thinkfun Rush Hour game is the leading game in the range. One of the best-known games in its original form, Scrabble from Mattel, still remains at the top of the demand list, and appeals to a wide audience.

There’s lots to see and talk about in this busy Christmas scene!

needWhatdoyou to snowman?build Where do you think the train is going?

Can you name all of reindeer?Santa’s

aCanyouspot gingerbread man?

For more activities and to view our full range, visit:

www.orchardtoys.com

Jigsaws of various sizes cover the total age spectrum. From pre-school licensed characters through to youth puzzles and up to the adult range of many thousand pieces, Kayes has the category covered. Picture content varies from contemporary designs to traditional cottage gardens. Both Jumbo, through its Falcon range, and Ravensburger cover popular nostalgic content and develop a collectible demand which enhances sales. Both companies also offer specialist sections including Wasgij and Challenge ranges for the experienced puzzler looking for something extra.

Kayes of Cardiff offer the independent retailer a wide selection of Games and Puzzles in small quantities enabling the opportunity for breadth as opposed to a depth of stock – this is proving popular for focused stock management. Through its team of regional representatives and agents which is complemented by its office sales team, Kayes covers the UK mainland.

KA04/290623/1

Mattel

01628 500 000 | www.mattel.com

Mattel continues to strengthen its first-class games portfolio in 2023 with an extensive offering, expanding iconic favourites. This year, Scrabble celebrates 75 years of being ‘fun beyond words’. The strategic word game is known worldwide for bringing people together in the spirit of competitive fun. The brand has modernised through the years,

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winter. The original Magic 8 Ball novelty toy has all the answers to one’s deepest questions. After asking the ball a yes or no question, users turn the toy upside-down and wait for the answer to be revealed through the window. Answers range from positive “It is certain” to negative “Don’t count on it” to neutral “Ask again later”.

a high-octane boost as players must now beat the clock to win. for game night or to spice up a dinner party with a hilarious ball-tossing challenge that all ages will enjoy.

Whac-a-Mole is a bopping blast with lights and delightful sounds which can be played alone or with a friend. The goal is simple – players must bop the moles that light up. This easy-to-learn, fast-paced kids' game challenges kids to concentrate, pay attention and use hand-eye coordination skills, all while having an energetic fun.

This exciting range of 1000pc jigsaw puzzles are now exclusively available at A.B.Gee

Games & Puzzles

Ginger Fox

www.gingerfox.co.uk | sales@gingerfox.co.uk

Ginger Fox has stocking fillers and travel games covered with its innovative range of card games, all retailing for under £10.

One of the most sought-after games is the Ant & Dec's Limitless Win Card Game, which stands out as the perfect stocking filler for trivia enthusiasts of all ages. Players must answer challenging trivia questions, climbing the limitless money ladder with teammates in a cooperative quest. However, one wrong answer could lead to losing it all, adding an extra thrill to the game.

The Taskmaster Card Game is loaded with quick-play challenges which guarantee side-splitting laughter. From drawing self-portraits with feet to composing songs about random objects, there's something to entertain everyone. As a portable card game, Taskmaster is ideal for road trips, vacations or relaxed evenings at home.

The range of Hexagon games is a delightful collection of impulsive pick-up games packed with fun. Best Guess is a real family gem. Players must rank various items based on different criteria, such as highest to lowest or oldest to youngest. With simple rules and fast gameplay, Best Guess ensures hours of entertainment for ages eight and over, making it a delightful way to bond with loved ones.

Kids vs. Adults is a trivia card game which pits the generations against each other in a battle of knowledge and Know It All is ideal for those who love fast-paced trivia. This card game challenges players to list as many answers as they can before the time runs out.

There’s also 10 Clues, a word association game which challenges players to guess the correct answer with the fewest hints and Where on Earth? - the travel-sized trivia game challenging players to test their knowledge of geography, with a range of questions about countries, cities, landmarks, and other geographic facts. Ginger Fox’s Hexagon range offers entertaining, competitive and compelling play. The games are easy to learn and irresistible to put down.

For a cheeky twist, Giant Beaver Tiny Ass, Calm Your Tits, and Don't Be A Dik Dik are fast-paced card games that push the boundaries of humour. Innocent or risqué, these games cater to various preferences and promise naughty laughter for gatherings and secret Santa exchanges.

These card games are just a glimpse of Ginger Fox's extensive range of stocking fillers and travel games. Whether it's family-friendly entertainment or adults-only merriment, Ginger Fox has the right game for every occasion. In addition to card games, Ginger Fox offers a diverse selection of other stocking fillers and travel games, including puzzles, brain teasers and travel-

Curious Universe

01225 614 310 | www.curiousuniverse.co.uk sales@curiousuniverse.co.uk

Curious Universe’s new range, Curious Universe Games, set for release later this year, is carefully crafted to inspire curiosity, spark imagination and foster essential developmental skills in a fun and engaging manner.

The range consists of two immersive 3D board games which allow the child to move up a space rocket or climb the unicorn rainbow. The Giant Road Race combines jigsaw building and track-based gameplay, offering a host of benefits for cognitive and motor development. Finally, the Pirate Quest game brings a fun, swashbuckling adventure in which players turn the cards to collect treasure and buy equipment, winning gems from the 3D treasure chest as they play.

Curious Universe Games is more than just a collection of puzzles; it's a gateway to extraordinary adventures and boundless creativity. The thoughtfully designed 3D boards immerse players in mesmerising worlds, while the giant-track puzzle empowers children to be the architects of their own playtime. The Pirate Quest game adds an element of excitement and camaraderie, encouraging developmental skills while having a blast.

Additionally, existing puzzle brands, Mindbogglers, Puzzlebilities and Junior Jigsaws, continue to be consistent successes. Featuring stunning artwork and various difficulties, each brand has a unique offering to several demographics.

Curious Universe is committed to increased sustainability within its puzzle collection through the use of FSC-certified materials and switching from plastic to

Fun and excitement for the WHOLE FAMILY!

RELAX WITH PUZZLES and put the pieces together!

Find the clues, solve the puzzles, REVEAL THE CRIME!

One for Fun

www.oneforfun.com | sales@oneforfun.com

One for Fun is constantly adding line extensions to the highly popular Muddle Puzzle range. New for Q4 is the Metallic Muddle Puzzle Set, perfect for puzzle lovers who like a challenge. The set includes three metallic pieces, each with its own unique design and difficulty level. The first puzzle is a 3x3 cube, which requires careful planning and strategy to solve. The second puzzle is a star infinity puzzle, which is more complex and requires more patience to complete. Finally, the third puzzle is a hexagon puzzle and perhaps the most challenging of them all. The three puzzles are packaged in a tall window box, making them easy to store and transport. This set offers great value for money, as each puzzle offers hours of entertainment and mental stimulation. The Metallic Muddle Puzzle is also offered as a single item, the classic 3 x 3 cube with metallic colours on each side

These new items complement the existing range which includes the Muddle Puzzle Space Polygon. These infinite puzzles can be opened up and turned and twisted to various shapes, showing off different space scenes. The Muddle Puzzle Star starts as a star shape and features different colour patterns on each side, then can be opened up, turned and twisted to show off the various patterns and colours as users move around the puzzle. To further baffle the brain, puzzle enthusiasts can try the Double Muddle Puzzle or buy a mini Muddle Puzzle for on-the-go.

A host of fidget puzzle toys complement the range. An updated version of One for Fun’s classic puzzle fiddle square – nine squares with different colours and designs to be shuffled and sorted quickly so they all show the same matching colours on each side – has been re-imagined offering a new challenge but still with the same addictive play value. It is available in rainbow and solid bright colours, along with mini and double versions.

In Shark Attack, players push down the shark’s teeth without being caught by its bite. The award-winning Time Shock continues to be a best-seller. A frantic wind-up, beat-the-clock game; all the shaped plastic pieces must be inserted into the correct slots before the timer expires and throws them all into the air. A tray in the side houses the pieces and scoring pegs, making it an ideal travel game. For Pushpopper fans, the Pop Puzzle Ball challenges users to pop the ball and match the colours – it’s a fidget and a game in one.

One for Fun also offers classic games such as marbles, snakes and ladders, chess, draughts, dominoes and everything else in between, so there is something for everyone.

Winning Moves

020 7298 9515 | www.winningmoves.co.uk | sales@winningmoves.co.uk

A partnership between Winning Moves and Jazwares has combined the world’s favourite board game with some of the most loved and popular Squishmallows in an exclusive edition of Squishmallows Monopoly. A rare and exclusive Cam the Cat plush toy is included in each edition, as well as six unique metal playing tokens. The game is expected to hit shelves this October, in time for Christmas and the peak trading period. Avid fans will be able to “Squad Up” even further with a dedicated Squishmallows Top Trumps pack, containing 30 of the Squishmallows squad, including Winston the Owl and Fifi the Fox, and Winning Moves and Jazwares will also be producing an exclusive version of Top Trumps Match. Fans from four years are challenged to match five Squishmallows in a row, while looking out for an exciting twist to see who can snatch the Squish match. The game comes in a handy carry case and can be played anywhere.

This autumn/winter, Winning Moves will also be releasing a Gabby’s Dollhouse Monopoly Junior. This slimmed-down version of Monopoly contains four tokens, a smaller gameboard and simplified gameplay, but still packs all the fun. It’s perfect for ages five and over and can be played with 2-4 players. Another Gabby’s Dollhouse addition to the range will be Gabby’s Dollhouse Top Trumps Match. Players must match five characters in a row either vertically, diagonally or horizontally, while watching out for the Top Trumps Match twist at the end of each round which could see an opponent stealing the points.

Each year, Winning Moves releases regional editions of Monopoly, celebrating the best of local communities up and down the country. This year, Winning Moves will be releasing five editions: Newbury, Lancaster, Loughborough, Leamington Spa and Bristol. Each edition will have its own unique launch, featuring press as well as Mr Monopoly tours around the towns. Participating retailers can also get involved with POS for their stores, depending on quantities purchased. The games will be launching between October and November.

To celebrate this year’s festive film, Wonka, launching 15th December, Winning Moves will be releasing a Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory edition of Monopoly, landing this month. The game includes iconic tokens such as the Everlasting Gobstopper, Willy Wonka’s hat and a Goose Egg, and can be enjoyed by players aged eight and up.

Coiledspring Games

0203 3011 160 | www.coiledspring.co.uk | sales@coiledspring.co.uk

The line up for Q4 is strong for Coiledspring Games, welcoming brand-new releases from great suppliers. The popular Sushi Go! series continues with Spin Sum for Dim Sum by Gamewright. Featuring a spinning tray, delightful dim sum illustrations and a squishy bun, this game is perfect for a family Christmas list.

Moon River is a brand-new offering from Blue Orange. It’s part of the Kingdomino gaming system, which sees players build up their farmlands with tile laying gameplay alongside an added jigsaw element. The tile laying fun continues with Pyramido by Synapses Games heading to shelves this month. Players gather as many points as possible by stacking tiles in a pyramid structure and win favour of the Pharoah.

Helvetiq masters in card and pocket-sized games and its new release Crazy Pilot is a great addition to the After Dinner range. Racing through the streets, players choose which ways to turn to dodge obstacles and watch out for zombies. Finally, the Unmatched series from Iello continues with Tales to Amaze, featuring co-operative battles between brand new heroes and bigger bosses.

The Coiledspring Heroes range continues to go from strength to strength and sees further marketing investment for Q4. The Hero titles are a selection of lead games which are popular best-sellers and provide endless enjoyment for customers, especially families. All titles can be picked up and played in under an hour and feature familiar titles such as the card game Anomia and tile laying Qwirkle. The Mind by NSV continues to top the best-selling charts. This popular “mind-reading” card game challenges players to lay cards in ascending order without communicating. The Mind is a perfect lower cost gift.

Cockroach Poker, a bluffing card game, is also proving to be extremely popular. This title has solid marketing support including a brand-new video set to be released in August and accessible to all retailers to use across all channels.

Schmidt jigsaws are still capturing the imaginations of keen puzzlers. They have six-star quality, individually shaped pieces and a special matte finish that banishes glare and minimises reflections, making them a delight to construct. The Thomas Kinkade licence expands in the UK with new Disney titles including Pinocchio and the Princess and the Frog. Unlicensed 1,000-piece jigsaws include images of stunning cobbled streets in Europe and underwater adventures.

Learning Resources

01553 762 276 | www.learningresources.co.uk |

sales@learning-resources.co.uk

Learning Resources has added several new options to its product mix in 2023.

At the start of the year, Learning Resources launched the Numberblocks Memory Match Game, along with three Numberblocks educational jigsaw puzzles: the Numberblocks Counting Puzzle Set, Numberblocks Adding and Subtracting Puzzle Set, and the Numberblocks Sequencing Puzzle Set. Young children will recognise the friendly Numberblocks characters from the episodes as they build early years maths skills through fun puzzle play for ages three and up.

Joining the Numberblocks puzzle and games is the new Numberblocks Race to Pattern Palace mid-year launch. Inspired by one of the series’ most popular episodes, this is a problem-solving board game that sees players navigate twists and turns while they build pattern and colour recognition, counting, fine motor and problem-solving skills in a race to get to Pattern Palace. Suitable for ages three and over, the game can be enjoyed by 2-4 players.

Learning Resources has also added several fun new options to its early years games category, starting with Reel Big Catch where players use toy fishing rods to catch telescopic fish and then measure their catch using the included tape measure. The friendly fish vary in length which adds a fun surprise element to this educational game for children aged three and up Children aged five and up can build their own brain-boosting games with the newest launch from Learning Resources’ best-selling MathLink Cubes brand, the MathLink Cubes Brain Puzzle Challenge. There are more than 40 games to build and play; children can build their own spinner for a round of Spin-o-Rama, craft pentominoes to solve the Shape Search, race to beat their opponent in a game of Twisting Towers and more. Each game helps build essential STEM and early years skills, including critical thinking, problem-solving and spatial reasoning as well as fine motor and early maths skills.

Learning Resources’ travel games are popular all year round. For children aged seven and up, Kanoodle Pyramid has been added to the popular Kanoodle range. As children solve this game’s 200 2D and 3D puzzles, they put their logic, reasoning and spatial perception skills to the test.

Learning Resources’ social and emotional learning (SEL) games, such as the innovative new Rolling for Feelings, Express Your Feelings Memory Match Game and Express Your Feelings Playing Cards open up an exciting new category which helps children of all ages express their feelings and emotions through play.

Learning Resources runs an ongoing and multichannel brand marketing campaign to grow brand awareness, through a mix of digital and print advertising, content on social media channels, paid and gifted collaborations with influencers, email marketing and PR outreach. Trade customers have access to the Marketing Resources Centre, an online portal for a comprehensive library of brand assets including up-todate product imagery.

Drink Up and Get Tipsy!

Naughty Games for Grown-Ups!

Games & Puzzles

VR Distribution

0330 0880 941 | sales@vrdist.co.uk

VR Distribution has had a bumper release of new games this year, creating some great additions to its existing range which includes global best-sellers such as Cards Against Humanity, Kids Against Maturity and What Do You Meme? As the company enters Q4 of its fifth year in the UK, it has once again had doubledigit year on year growth.

New games launching from What Do You Meme? include Who Killed Mia – a fun Murder Mystery game, which launched in September with a unique global launch campaign. Also from What Do You Meme? is the Squishmallows Take 4 Game where the Squishmallows squad gets competitive. This quick-thinking card game also includes an exclusive Benny Squishmallows plush.

Storytime Chess launches for autumn/winter 2023 in the UK. This beautifully crafted storybook is drawn by the award-winning former Disney illustrator, Ryan Terry. The custom chess pieces and chess board are also dual-sided, meaning they can also be used for regular chess or tournament play, while reading the story teaches the user to play chess. Storytime Chess has been a teaching aid in America for decades but has now been made into a game for retail, helping to develop multiple cognitive and emotional skills which benefit children for the long-term. It has already won 17 awards in the US.

VR Distribution has also been seeing great sales in games from Awkward Yeti & Nutt Heads, the inventors of huge hit game, Kids Against Maturity, including Organ Attack, Anxiety Attack and House Pets vs Aliens.

At London Toy Fair, VR Distribution met Lucky Egg and now the company will distribute its latest releases. Get Wet is inspired by viral trends on TikTok with people answering trivia questions or finishing song lyrics. This a great party game where players who answer correctly will stay dry and those who get it wrong will get wet. Also launching is Shush, which includes a Shush Shooter. The shooter wears the Shush Blindfold and uses their sixth sense to shoot the other player with foam bullets. The aim is to try and complete the mission by sneaking around quietly, trying not to get hit – suitable for ages seven years+.

For Q4, VR Distribution will continue with its marketing campaigns, focusing predominantly on influencer activity on TikTok, Instagram and Facebook, targeting active shoppers. It will also continue with engaging content on these platforms, which is where the company sees the most successful results. In the past few months, VR Distribution has increased its investment in marketing and is now working with In A Nutshell Agency to help with its campaigns and Playtime PR to help with building brand wwareness.

Tactic Games

07970 779842 | www.tactic.net | phil@tactic.net

Tactic has been bringing families together to share board game experiences since 1967. With classics such as Alias, Draw Out 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.

Tactic’s educational Let’s Learn series continues to grow and offers children games which match their age and level of development. Designed in partnership with Finnish teachers and manufactured in Finland using recycled cardboard, introductory games include Colours and Shapes, Numbers, Letters and Words and Nature and can be displayed in a beautifully designed FSDU to give the collection even more stand out with customers. A farmyard-inspired Counting Floor Puzzle game can also be included in the FSDU mix to offer even more choice to parents looking for educational game play for pre-schoolers.

The recently launched Let’s Learn Carousel game has been proving popular with parents for its fast-paced play and encouraging hand-eye coordination and logical thinking. The fact the game is double sided allows for two levels of difficulty and enhances the longevity. New for the coming season is Let’s Learn School Day which introduces children to different classroom subjects with a race against time to collect tokens before the clock strikes three. Also included in the Let’s Learn collection is the charming board game Children of the World which continues to be one of Tactic’s best-sellers.

This year Tactic has introduced a dinosaur-themed game into its popular Seek & Find series to sit alongside existing favourites Farm and Flowers & Bugs. Children piece together the puzzle board, pick a card, and try to be the first to spot that dinosaur within the picture to win tokens. The double-sided board means they can flip the game for a busier jungle picture where it’s harder to spot the different dinosaurs. A useful facts booklet is included in the box. Supported by influencer gifting and consumer press activity, Seek & Find Dinosaur is on-trend and proving to be a big hit with dinosaur loving children.

Famous for its word games, Tactic is launching Quick Words into its range for 2023. Compact and ideal for taking on holiday for some fast paced, competitive fun; players roll the letter dice and then form words before the sand timer runs out. They only score points for words that are different to their opponent, and the joker dice counts as any letter therefore needs to be used wisely. The awardwinning Word Bingo and globally successful Alias are also other fantastic word game choices. With Halloween just around the corner, Escape to Ghost Castle is a spooky adventure game for all the family. Tactic has an array of fun gift and party games for older players, including No Way Jose, Crazy Maze, Wanna Bet Challenge and Know Me Know You. The story driven investigation series Crime Scene is also ideal for players who love a detective mystery.

Smart Toys and Games

01903 885 669 | www.smarttoysandgames.co.uk | uk@smart.be

Smart Toys & Games starts to roll out its highly anticipated autumn 2023 launches. As a worldwide leader in multi-level logic games, the company has a wide selection of games and puzzles for families to look forward to.

Launching this September is Dress Code, an engaging game perfect for pre-schoolers. Following the phenomenal success of the brand’s best-selling Colour Code, Dress Code takes the fun of playing dress up to the next level. In this game, players are challenged to help get the characters dressed for the weather - but they must watch out as the order in which the characters are dressed is important. This is an ideal puzzle game for toddlers, and will help little ones aged four and over learn about colours, shapes, sequence and orientation.

Tower Stacks challenges players to build a vertical castle using nine puzzle pieces. Players start from the floor and use planning skills to stack the pieces and solve the 80 included challenges, from easy to expert.

Another fun brain buster available this autumn is Criss Cross Cube. With 80 different challenges, players are challenged to fit all 13 screws completely into the transparent cube, without them blocking each other. The cube-shaped puzzle game is fit for both kids and adults.

Brand new for 2023, SmartGames launches a themed collection of Yatzy, starting with Train, Farm and Zoo. Suitable for ages five and over, this two-player game is under £10 and is the perfect stocking filler or pocket-money game. Each game comes with five themed dice and a notepad for scoring combinations. The aim of the game is for players to get their dice together and find a winning combination strategy. A creative, simple and childfriendly game, it’s perfect for practicing language skills, decision making, problem solving, strategising and maths.

Selling in tens of thousands, the IQ range is an immensely popular collection for SmartGames. Each game boasts a unique and innovative game mechanic, offering varying levels of difficulty, meaning that these educational games are perfect for both adults and children as young as six. September will see the arrival of IQ Perplex, a game that requires players to solve the challenges by filling up the grid but not all puzzle pieces behave in the same way as they are placed. The game comes in a handy travel case and includes 120 challenges. IQ Mini Hexpert is a pocket-sized IQ puzzle on a hexagonal game board which is perfect to take out and about. Players create their own challenges by moving the blockers and filling the board with the puzzle pieces. They can select a favourite colour and challenge friends and family for even more fun.

University Games

020

7254 0100 | www.university-games.co.uk

University Games and Lagoon’s 700-strong combined product range of games and puzzles brings fun and entertainment for the entire family, from pre-school to adult, and features iconic brands such as Subbuteo, Project Genius, The Purple Cow, Roald Dahl, Horrible Histories and The World of David Walliams.

New this autumn is the fully recyclable Marble RaceTrax series. Made from sustainable materials, and with four different track sizes available, ranging from an impressive 4-9 metres in length, and from 50cm to a massive 1 metre in height, this series is ideal for consumers who are making more eco-friendly choices. Marble RaceTrax range will be supported by a heavyweight TV and social media campaign in Q4 to build awareness and drive sales into the Christmas period.

University Games’ family portfolio already features a host of best-selling games such as Smart Ass, Perudo, Pointless, 5-Letter Wordlet and the exciting Forbidden Games Strategy titles Raccoon Tycoon, Lizard Wizard, Dungeon Party and Mosaic. There are also a host of new titles arriving this autumn to join the party including 20 Questions, Irritable Vowels, Blurt and Mind Your Language, as well as Rom Com, Happy Hour Hustle and Ultimate Pub Trivia from Lagoon.

University Games’ best-selling Murder Mystery Party series continues to grow with the arrival of new titles; Pasta, Passion and Pistols, Murder Noir and Passport to Murder puzzle, as well as The Night Hunter and Black Hawk. Mission: Black Hawk takes Mystery Case File Games to the next level with an all-immersive multimedia experience. Using AI and a mixture of physical and digital clues, players race against the clock to put plans in motion to stop a cyber-attack.

Ready for the festive season, Lagoon’s new Project Genius range includes the 12 Puzzles Before Christmas Advent Calendar; Oh What Fun, a festive collection of brain teasers and challenges; Rebus Puzzle Cards, a festive deck of Christmas puzzles and Cryptic Christmas, where players need to use the ornate ciphers to crack the code on the challenge card and decipher festive tunes before their opponents. Retailers will also love Lagoon’s Christmas TableTop Games CDU and Project Genius Christmas PuzzleBox CDU, which contains an assortment of 12 different matchbox-size festive puzzles.

University Games’ extensive pre-school and children’s range of games and puzzles focuses on fun, education and some of the best-known children’s storybook characters. These include We’re Going on a Bear Hunt, The Very Hungry Caterpillar, The Tiger who came to Tea, Dinosaur Roar and Paddington. These character brand ranges sit alongside University Games’ best-selling children’s classics, Charades For Kids, What’s Up, Don’t Say It and Yes! No! New from Lagoon are four traditional wooden games; Snakes and Ladders, Ludo, Chess and Draughts, all wonderful family time games for all ages.

Games & Puzzles PMI

+972-52-4614444 | www.pmi.co.il | omer@pmi.co.il

Combining cognitive and educational play-patterns into an exciting card game, PMI Kids’ World, the company behind mega-popular licensed products such as Brawl Stars, Pinata Smashlings from Toikido and Among Us, is gearing up to launch brand-new, IP-themed editions of Matchify in 2024.

Original and Professions editions of the award-winning Matchify card game continue to be best-selling products. Matchify comes in two decks of cards, and each card contains nine symbols. Each card from the first deck has one symbol that can be matched with another symbol from any card in the second deck; players must spot the matching pictures and shout it out the fastest. The game is designed for 2-8 players, aged five and over.

In 2024, PMI is set to release highly anticipated, reimagined editions of Matchify. This time, the game will be infused with the vibrant characters and captivating themes from three incredible brands: Sonic Prime, Pinata Smashings and Miraculous Lady Bug. Leveraging these top-tier licensing agreements, PMI will combine the beloved elements of the original Matchify game with the unique essence of these renowned brands, creating an unparalleled play experience.

By combining the fun-packed gameplay of Matchify with characters from popular IPs, kids are happy to engage in an activity that promotes cognitive growth and helps them identify links and associations between objects and symbols on the cards. Catering to a player count of 2-8, Matchify succeeds in striking a harmonious balance between amusement and educational stimulation.

In addition to previous accolades the game has received, including a host of awards, Matchify has garnered support from experts in the field of psychology who have affirmed the cognitive benefits associated with children engaging in the game. Offering a unique and inclusive gaming experience where both kids and adults can participate competitively, Matchify provides a playpattern for positive cognitive impact, creating an atmosphere charged with energy and excitement.

Beyond the licensed versions, PMI is embracing innovation by also introducing a captivating sports-themed variation and an educational alphabet version. This strategic diversification not only caters to a wider audience but also ensures that Matchify remains a versatile and dynamic game which appeals to players of all ages and preferences.

Tomy

01392 281 927 | www.tomy.com

Tomy has further expanded the brand’s ever-growing portfolio of games. The much-loved Screwball Scramble has had a refresh with the launch of Screwball Scramble Level Up. The Game of Saying ‘Huh?!’ has been added to Tomy’s social and party games category and has already been awarded a Mojo Award for best new party game. The premise of the game is brilliantly simple, yet undeniably entertaining; it’s not what you say, it’s how you say it. The game, which first launched in Japan selling over 1m copies, has already proved to be highly successful across other markets and Tomy plans to emulate this success here in the UK. A sampling campaign across UK universities throughout September will then be amplified by additional sampling and digital campaigns from October to December.

Tomy saw a new launch in June with Word Poppers, the letter juggling game where players scramble to grab letters and make up words before time runs out, and Pillow Bash, the game that gets players thinking, ducking and diving was released in August. Targeted at both kids and families alike, these new additions promise fun for the whole family. Both releases will be supported with AV and digital campaigns alongside Tomy and Drumond Park’s best-selling games which include Greedy Granny, Screwball Scramble 2, Beat the Camera, Logo Best of Kids, Articulate for Kids and Fill Your Pants.

With the strategy family games category seeing growth, Tomy has responded to increased demand through the launch in August of Numerical, a numbers game full of surprises where players go head-to-head or do battle with up to four players.

In the adult games category, the top two best-selling games from Drumond Park, Articulate! and The Logo Board Game Second Edition, will continue to receive dedicated support through compelling TV and digital campaigns, strategically timed for the critical sales season of November and December. For another year running, these campaigns will once again showcase the much-loved and instantly recognisable Redknapps, ensuring wide-reaching appeal to adult family audiences.