The Spring/Summer 2012 version of my blog is intended to provide my Canadian retail accounts with the most up-to-date information on games, puzzles and lots more fun stuff for the coming season. Your suggestions for improving content are encouraged and always welcome.
Parents' Choice Gold Award
Mensa Select Award
Major Fun Award
Our tactile block game combines logic and strategy with easy-to-learn rules. Plan your moves to create columns and rows of matching colors and shapes; score big when you place a tile that works in multiple directions. It’s perfect for travel, with 3/4 –inch, solid wood tiles in a zippered pouch. 108 tiles. 2 to 4 players.
Recommended Ages: Ages 6 and up
Availability: On Backorder (expected delivery on 04/30/12)
MSRP: $19.99
Created by MindWare! Exercise your left and right brain at the same time with these complex dot to dot puzzles. Intricate, challenging and wildly rewarding to finish, Extreme Dot to Dot: Animals puzzles range from 500 to over 1,400 dots. Some puzzles even cover a two-page spread! Counting, mapping and concentration are just a few of the educational benefits. 32 puzzles per book. Don't forget that Mindware Markers are the perfect retail add-on for Extreme Dot to Dot books! Recommended Ages: Ages 8 and Up MSRP: $12.99
Distributed in Canada by Outset Media Corp, Qwirkle has won Germany's major toy award.
Victoria, British Columbia – The Spiel des Jahres (Game of the Year) was founded in 1978 with the stated purpose of rewarding excellence in board and card game design and promoting top-quality games in the German market.
Considered to be one of the world’s most prestigious game awards, a Spiel des Jahres winner can usually expect to sell 300,000 to 500,000 copies.
The award is given by a jury of German-speaking board game critics (from Germany, Austria, Switzerland), who review games released in Germany in the preceding twelve months.
The criteria on which a game is evaluated include game concept (originality, playability, game value); rule structure (composition, clearness, comprehensibility); layout (box, board, rules) and design (functionality, workmanship). Complete details of the award can be found at the following link: http://www.spiel-des-jahres.com/cms/front_content.php?idcat=148
Outset Media has been the exclusive Canadian distributor for Qwirkle since 2008. To find Qwirkle at a retailer near you, call Outset Media, toll free at 1-877-592-7374. If you are a retailer, call or email me to ask how we can help promote Qwirkle in your store to take advantage of the above publicity.
Keva Contraptions: Structures 200 Plank Set - Item MW-50089
New! Develop a knack to stack! No glue or connectors required…simply stack wood planks to create buildings, monuments and geometric forms. It’s the ideal activity to help kids gain an understanding of balance and proportion, as well as an interest in architecture, building and design. A 24-page, full-color idea booklet with build-out instructions is also included. • Case Pack: 3 • Ages: 7+ • Pieces: 200 pine planks and 24-page idea booklet
With many of my toy and book retailers reaching the 50+ mark in Q-bitz games sold this season, I thought I would spread the word by offering a quick summary that illustrates just how fast and easy it is to demonstrate and sell this game. With two or three practice runs, you can literally demo this game in 30 seconds. I know this is a crazy time of year and there is not a lot of time to show games, especially when there are long lines forming at your till. So, if worst comes to the worst, I can email a sheet for you to print out on your colour printer and display with the games. But, if you do have a moment or two to show the game when a customer expresses interest, it can sometimes really pay off with additional game sales. That’s because while you are showing one customer the game other customers in your chaotic busy store are probably peering over your shoulder and watching the demo too!
Here’s how Q-bitz works:
Round One is all about speed as players race to manipulate their cubes to copy the pattern on the Q-bitz card. The first player to complete the pattern yells “Q-bitz!” and keeps the card.
Round Two adds luck to the equation, as players roll their cubes to match the pattern. Keep rolling until you get the shapes you need to complete the pattern. The first player to complete the pattern yells “Q-bitz!” and keeps the card.
Round Three really tests brain power, as players get 10 seconds to memorize the card and then must re-create the pattern from memory! The first player to complete the pattern or get closest to completing the pattern from memory keeps the card. Collect the most cards and win!
It really is that simple. Everyone is up and playing in minutes!
Includes 120 Q-bitz cards, 4 wooden trays and 4 sets of 16 cubes. 2 to 4 players. MSRP $29.99. Ages 8+
