Hasbro: Get Together Games

ADULTS GET TOGETHER WITH GAMES - Trend that began in 80's with the TRIVIAL PURSUIT game remains popular

EAST LONGMEADOW, MA (February 16, 2003) Twenty years ago, the TRIVIAL PURSUIT game created a phenomenon that proved to the world that adults enjoy playing board games. These days, as adults entertain more at home, board games are a natural choice to liven up an evening and keep the conversation flowing.

In 2002, adults made TRIVIAL PURSUIT 20TH ANNIVERSARY EDITION game the number one game in the industry. With more choices than ever in the game aisle, some favorites such as the THE GAME OF SCATTEGORIES, TABOO game and the ELECTRONIC CATCH PHRASE game are not only fun, but also offer a fresh experience every time they are played.

Sociologists, economists and psychologists agree -- there are two major trends to explain why games are so popular: more people are entertaining friends and families at home, some call it "cocooning." Game playing parties have become the hot invitation in New York and Los Angeles and throughout the country as well.

The second trend is tied directly to the economy. "Games are an inexpensive entertainment investment. The average cost of a game is less than $30 and provides a fun and different experience every time it's played. A modest night on the town will easily cost double that amount and it's gone by evening's end," said John Chandler, senior vice president marketing of Hasbro Games.

This year Hasbro Games introduces a host of new games to its Parker Brothers' line, giving adults more fun and affordable reasons to stay home with friends and play. The line features some new twists on favorites and new and innovative adult games that always keep the conversation flowing and the laughter at a high.

JENGA EXTREME (Ages: Adult; Players: 2 or more; Approximate Retail: $16.99; Available: Summer 2003)

The traditional JENGA game takes a new angle in the JENGA EXTREME game where the anticipation builds in a new direction each time its played and always ends in a suspenseful crashing of blocks. Each of the blocks in JENGA EXTREME is shaped as a parallelogram and when stacked they create a shifting tower that changes direction with game play. Game play remains the same as the traditional stacking game, where players take turns pulling a block from the bottom of the tower and placing it on top. The object is to be the last player to place a block on the tower before it crashes. Jenga Extreme is edge of your seat fun with a different slant!

TRIVIAL PURSUIT 6th EDITION (Ages: Adult; Players: 2 to 6; Approximate Retail: $29.99; Available: Summer 2003)

Last year, the game that led the adult game playing revolution turned 20. This year, TRIVIAL PURSUIT is back with a whole new set of trivial matter to entertain trivia buffs old and new. Think you have a good grasp on those trivial facts about people, places and events, then you'll appreciate the challenge set forth by TRIVIAL PURSUIT 6th Edition Game. The game comes complete with 4,800 new questions divided into six categories -- People/Places, Arts/Entertainment, History, Science/Nature, Sports/Leisure and the special Wild Card category.

EXPRESS YOURSELF Game (Ages: Adult; Players: 3 to 6; Approximate Retail Price: $24.99; Available: Summer 2003)

The EXPRESS YOURSELF game is sure to keep adults on their game and ready to play, because you never know what you'll be asked to do, when you'll be asked to do it, and who you'll do it with. Virtual hosts randomly call on one of six players to speak, draw or act. When one of six player colors is called out, that player then selects a card, chooses one of two words, and inserts the card into the electronic unit. The host then comments on the selection and directs the player to use one of the three actions to get another randomly selected player to guess the word on the card. If the player guesses correctly, both players get 5 points. The player who "expresses themselves" the best, by show of points, wins the game.

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