When I was at the Chicago Toy and Game Fair before Thanksgiving, Nick Metzler was demoing his new game with PlaSmart, Squashed. As Nick was talking with small crowd of people there was one boy who didn’t want to play with the manufactured version of the game – instead he wanted to play with the prototype. What is it about prototypes that fascinate us? I love seeing prototypes – even the rough and ugly ones.
As an inventor there are limitations as to what kind of prototypes I can produce in …
The Chicago Toy and Game Fair isn’t just a public toy and game fair, it’s a gathering of industry folks from all over the world. The inventors have a conference and meetings before and during the fair which means you’ll find lots of them walking around the show or demoing their games. Since I’m lucky enough to know lots of inventors — and met a couple new ones, I thought I’d snap some photos of inventors and their games for my post-ChiTAG article. Enjoy!
David Hoyt invented Word Winder which I was …
Chicago Toy and Game Fair aka “ChiTAG” IS THIS WEEKEND! Last week’s article talked about some of the tournaments and events – this week is games to check out while you’re there!
Some quick details about the fair:
Saturday 11/23: 10am – 6pm
Sunday 11/24: 10am – 5pm
At the far end of Chicago’s Navy Pier
Admission is: $10 for adults, $5 for kids from 3-13 and admission is complimentary for Educators, Librarians, Scouts in Uniform, Firefighters, Police, Military and Industry Professionals (just go to the Trade Registration Desk) FOR $2 OFF – PRINT THE …
It’s just about time for the Chicago Toy and Game Fair aka ChiTAG — and I’ve got lots of fun insight as to what to expect at the show this year! I’m going to break this article into 2 simply because there’s so much to share. This week will be tournaments and things you might want to pre-register for. Next week will be games to check out while you’re there!
Some quick details about the fair:
Saturday 11/23: 10am – 6pm
Sunday 11/24: 10am – 5pm
At the far end of Chicago’s Navy Pier
Admission …
Well fourth time wasn’t a charm for the Magic 8 Ball (which saddens me slightly as I still have one in my office for those “difficult” decisions), but we did see another game make it into the Hall of Fame which I always find exciting. Chess, along with the iconic rubber duck, are the 52nd and 53rd item to make it into the National Toy Hall of Fame. I ranted a few years back about how I’d rather see an old classic like chess make it into the Hall of …
I think people assume when you’re in the toy/game business that you’re just a big kid. And although that’s not the truth (at least not in my case – I’m kind of serious about my work), there are definitely toys and games that awaken my inner. I was a creative child that loved puzzles, LEGOs, brainteasers, and creative challenges. I wasn’t so keen on school work (although I did my homework) but I’d much rather learn through a game or puzzle and Block Builders, from Fat Brain Toys, would have …
Last week was a good week for Raccoon Rumpus as I found out that it was named as one of the “30 Coolest Toys of the Year” by Family Fun magazine! It has also been awarded the National Parenting Center Seal of Approval and an Oppenheim Toy Portfolio Gold Seal – so overall, it sounds like people like it. YAY!
Almost better than the awards are the numerous notes from relatives, friends, collegues and friends of friends with stories and pictures of their kids, grandkids, friend’s kids, etc. having fun playing …
This year The Game of THINGS… has found a new home with Patch Products and so it seems like a good time to talk with its inventor, Tom Quinn, about his experience in the game biz. Before we jump into the interview, let me tell you a little about The Game of THINGS… If you haven’t played it, I’m sure you’ve seen it and its iconic wooden box in the game aisle. THINGS… is a party game that’s simple to teach and play, one player reads a topic and then …
