NEW YORK, NY - OCTOBER 25, 2005 - First, the world went crazy for Pok�mon and Yu-Gi-Oh! Now trendsetting 21st century boys are ready for something new, bigger and even more gripping. RIOT Media, Inc., the only all-encompassing lifestyle brand for tween boys, and WizKids, Inc., the leader in collectible entertainment, have entered into a groundbreaking brand partnership to create the ultimate collectible card game aimed at the underserved market of tween boys.
Launching Spring 2006 at Walmart, Target and Toys R Us outlets and at Riotweb.com's Riot Buy It Shop, RIOT: THE COLLECTIBLE CARD GAME provides all the thrills, chills, humor, strategy and collectibility that 8- to 14-year-old boys find so enthralling. A creepy circus has come to a small American city, complete with horrifying, nefarious clowns, freaky acrobats and slavering beasts. Only intrepid tween and teen protagonists, along with their mischievous ally, Riot the Chimp, can save the hometown from certain doom. This sparks an epic battle of good vs. evil as our young heroes strive valiantly to overcome the scary and gross villains.
"WizKids is an undisputed leader in collectible games and we are thrilled to be teaming with them to create the next big thing in card games," states Jay Gissen, Chief Executive Officer and Founder of RIOT Media, Inc. "RIOT: THE COLLECTIBLE CARD GAME is the only card game out there designed just for tween boys and, as the only lifestyle brand for this underserved audience, we know the card game will take their world by storm."
"Teaming with RIOT Media to reach tween boys is an exciting opportunity to partner with the leader in tween entertainment," adds Jordan Weisman, WizKids CEO. "With their knowledge of the market and our knowledge of games, we've created a perfect storm for the 'next big thing.'"
The story behind RIOT: THE COLLECTIBLE CARD GAME also threads throughout RIOT Media's other properties, including a brand-new comic slated to launch in late November, and the company's flagship website, Riotweb.com. On Riotweb.com, card game players will soon be able to learn about game-related news and upcoming tournaments, get sneak previews and even enter contests to create a character or draw a card, all for a seamless RIOT: THE COLLECTIBLE CARD GAME web experience.
RIOT's formidable marketing support of RIOT: THE COLLECTIBLE CARD GAME includes active contributions from two of RIOT's partners, The Robert Thorne Company and VPI.Net. The Robert Thorne Company is a leading marketing and licensing firm specializing in lifestyle brands for tweens and teens including a 15-year tenure building the mary-kateandashley brand and brand management for Hilary Duff. VPI.Net is a leading interactive marketing firm that builds uniquely promotional online initiatives for major network television series, America's #1 Internet service provider, and many leading brands.
RIOT Media, Inc. is the first Internet-based, all-encompassing tween boy lifestyle brand. The company is dedicated to amusing, entertaining and informing America's 15 million and the world's 300 million tween boys with the coolest, funniest, grossest and freakiest selection of content and products. In addition to the state-of-the-art interactive website www.riotweb.com, RIOT also features RIOT Magazine, RIOT Comics, electronic games, mobile entertainment, a wide array of apparel and accessories, a wacky sticker and poster campaign, school supplies and much more. Riot is already a presence in the U.S. and Canada, and Riot merchandise will soon be available worldwide. Check out the fun at www.riotweb.com.
Founded by 25-year game-industry veteran Jordan Weisman, WizKids is a Seattle-based game developer and publisher dedicated to creating tabletop games driven by imagination. High Stakes Drifter, the company's first CCG, was a hit of the 2005 summer convention season. Its Mage Knight®, MechWarrior® and HeroClix CMGs and Pirates and Rocketmen CSGs are among the most successful games on the market today, and the company has sold hundreds of millions of game pieces worldwide. WizKids, Inc. is owned by The Topps Company Inc. For additional information, visit www.wizkidsgames.com.
� 2005 WizKids, Inc. All rights reserved. WizKids, High Stakes Drifter, Mage Knight, MechWarrior, HeroClix, Pirates of the Spanish Main, and Rocketmen are trademarks and/or registered trademarks of WizKids, Inc. in the United States and/or other countries. ® & �2005 The Topps Company, Inc. All rights reserved. Topps is a registered trademark of The Topps Company, Inc.