11:52 PM: Allan Sugarbaker says...
Race Day and High Stakes Drifter hit stores

As my schedule continues to recover after four days in Anaheim, it's nice to note that other schedules are recovering as well. In this case, WizKids has been doing the recovering, as the delayed High Stakes Drifter CCG just hit stores. At the same time, the company's NASCAR tie-in game, Race Day, has also reached retail shelves. As you'll hear in our next podcast, the game looks damn good, and is likely to be another successful CSG release for WizKids. Both press releases follow.

WizKids press release: High Stakes Drifter CCG
High Stakes Drifter Releases!

November 23, 2005 (SEATTLE) — WizKids Inc., creator of the runaway hit games HeroClix® and Pirates of the Spanish Main™, is proud to announce the release of High Stakes Drifter™, the company’s first collectable card game (CCG)!

“High Stakes Drifter is the fast-paced game of Wild West action,” said Mike Samora, vice president of Sales and Marketing at WizKids®. “The game uses betting-and-bluffing mechanics to simulate a series of challenges with historical personalities like Billy the Kid and Wyatt Earp.” The game adds elements of luck to each challenge as well, with a unique kicker chip mechanic that can add a random effect to each showdown.

Each card features vintage photography and a western feel. The game play has been described as a mix between a saloon-style betting-and-bluffing game and a spaghetti western shootout.

High Stakes Drifter is sold in Starter Sets (MSRP $9.99) and Booster Packs (MSRP $2.99), and is available in hobby and specialty game stores.

WizKids press release: NASCAR Race Day CSG
Race Day Releases!

November 23, 2005 (SEATTLE) — WizKids Inc., creator of the runaway hit games HeroClix® and Pirates of the Spanish Main™, is proud to announce the release of Race Day™, the Nextel Cup game of NASCAR® racing action!

“Race Day is the perfect game for NASCAR fans of all ages,” said Mike Samora, vice president of Sales and Marketing at WizKids®. “You construct a car from one of 28 Nextel Cup drivers, plan your strategy and race all the way to victory lane!” Zoom to victory with Jimmie Johnson™ and the No. 48® Lowe’s Chevrolet®, or bump ahead with Mark Martin and the No. 6 Pfizer® Ford®!

Everything new players need to race comes in one low-priced (MSRP $3.99) Game Pack, including two cars and drivers, a track play mat, complete rules and a miniature die.

Race Day is available wherever trading cards are sold. For a store locator, game information and more, visit www.racedaygame.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. Its 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. For additional information, visit www.wizkidsgames.com.

©2005 WizKids Inc. All rights reserved. MechWarrior, HeroClix, Pirates of the Spanish Main, Rocketmen, Race Day and WizKids are trademarks of WizKids Inc.

NASCAR is a registered trademark of the National Association for Stock Car Racing, Inc. ©2005 HGL, LLC. The name, likeness and signature of Jimmie Johnson and the likeness of the #48 Lowe’s Chevrolet are used under license granted by HGL, LLC. Pfizer and the blue diamond tablet shape are registered trademarks of Pfizer Inc. Used under license. Roush Racing’s and Mark Martin’s name and/or likeness used by authority of Roush Racing, Livonia, MI.