October 15, 2004 - Broomfield, Colorado - Games industry professionals throughout the country have joined together to promote the educational, social and entertainment value of playing games. During National Games Week, November 21-27, 2004, people across the country will be encouraged to turn off the television, step away from the computer and play a game. Any sort of game will do, such as board games, card games, role playing games, miniature games and family and party games.
During the past decade, there has been a boom in games. What was once considered a niche market has become mainstream. Board games have already set a sixth straight annual sales record, even before the key Christmas season. The art of game design and appearance has grown incredibly. There are thousands of games that adults and kids can play together, and all enjoy the social experience of a smart game, some competition and a lot of interaction. The industry has evolved to include 40,000 products with over $5 billion in sales expected for 2004*.
National Games Week is established as the fourth week of November every year. This year that makes it November 21-27, a Sunday through Saturday, when families and friends are coming together for the holiday and could use a great activity. The week coincides with the Million Minute Family Challenge™, which challenges everyone to play games and log game-play minutes at www.MillionMinute.com.
"Game enthusiasts already know that games are great, smart entertainment," said Mark Simmons, Games Quarterly's Publisher and the coordinator of National Games Week, "We are encouraging individuals, schools, games stores, organizations, libraries, everyone, to hold a Games Day event during National Games Week, showcasing the fun of game for family and friends."
NGW events will take place, for this inaugural year, in an expected 15,000 homes, schools, churches, colleges, community centers and retail stores. Game retailers will host a variety of related events, while individuals will host events in their homes and elsewhere. Individuals can host an event at home, school, church or anywhere suitable, and invite whomever they want. Additionally, they can contact local game retailer to find out what events they are planning to run. To find such games try local specialty stores, via your phone book, or use the web site www.nationalgamesweek.net.
Games Day Hosts will be provided with the tools to make a fun, successful event - posters, invitation cards, Official U.S. postage stamps for National Games Week, information for teachers, even games. These will all be available on October 30, and can be ordered from the web site www.nationalgamesweek.net. On this site anyone can get information, and those who join can order resources.
High level sponsors for this year include Eagle Games, Wizards of the Coast, Mayfair Games, Pok�mon USA, and Rio Grande Games. The official printer for National Games Week is Transcontinental Printing. Many other companies are sponsoring, supporting and otherwise affiliated. Find an entire list on the web site, or contact Matthew Simmons Marketing for the list.
About Matthews Simmons Marketing
Matthews Simmons Marketing (MsM) is the longtime publisher of the industry's standard reference, Games Quarterly Catalog™. In early 2004 MsM launched Games Quarterly Magazine™. With a current circulation of 105,000 GQM immediately became a leading representative of the games industry to the public. GQM showcases the wide variety of games available in an enjoyable editorial style that appeals to both game enthusiasts and newcomers. GQM's Educational Feature Writer David Niecikowski is one of GQM's key contributors. David is a high school teacher, and his articles detail the practical uses of games in the classroom (ask for the latest issue, or go to www.gamesquarterly.net to see it in downloadable .pdf format). David is currently developing our National Games Week information for schools. Other teachers involved with NGW include the previous Co-Chairs of the Game Manufacturers Association's Games in Education committee, Richard Martin Leep and David Millians. Webmaster Erin Zimmer was lead designer for Denver based Regis University's online registration and online classroom systems. The owner of Matthews Simmons Marketing is the previous Executive Director of the Game Manufacturers Association, Mark Simmons.
MsM, our sponsors, supporters and affiliates invite everyone to join the fun. Get the resources to create your own Games Day. During National Games Week everyone is a winner.
* According to annual industry surveys through 2001 and extrapolations by industry experts.
