Press Release: Bart, Homer, Lisa and Marge Get Decked Out In tthe New Trading Card From Wizards of t

Simpsons News — Posted 24 Jul, 2002 by MrBurns

Hey gamers, just got this great Press Release from Wizards of the Coast. Enjoy!

Leading Developer of Trading Card Games, Wizards of the Coast, And Fox Licensing & Merchandising Get Ready To Deal Simpsons Characters to Fans and Collectors

July 24, 2002 (Renton, Wash) - Wizards of the Coast, a developer and publisher of game-based entertainment products, and a subsidiary of Hasbro, Inc. (NYSE:HAS), today announced they have reached an agreement with Twentieth Century Fox Licensing and Merchandising (Fox L&M) to produce and distribute a trading card game based on THE SIMPSONS, the longest running comedy currently in primetime. THE SIMPSONS, with more than 60 million worldwide weekly viewers and nearing a record 300 episodes, remains an anchor of FOX's Sunday night schedule.

THE SIMPSONS Trading Card Game (TCG) will be released in a series of four Theme Decks (MSRP $7.99) based on fan-favorite characters including Homer, Bart, Lisa, Mr. Burns and others, and in 11-card Booster Packs (MSRP $2.99). Each Theme Deck will contain 40-cards that contain character catch phrases and quotes ("Exxxcellent!"), as well as fun gameplay that fans and trading card game players have come to expect from Wizards of the Coast products.

THE SIMPSONS TCG, designed for 2 to 6 players, will feature 156 cards and will be available at retail stores nationwide in late 2002. Each player must have his or her own deck to get into the most challenging game in Springfield. The first player to score seven cards by maneuvering Springfield characters wins, using location, character and quote cards in the pre-made Theme Decks, by modifying decks with more cards from Boosters, or by creating own decks from the random cards in the Boosters. Players can do it any way they have to, building decks to bumble, trick, outsmart or scheme their way to victory! Click More below to continue story.

"We are excited to be working with the top developer of trading card games," commented Peter Byrne, Executive Vice President for Fox Licensing and Merchandising. "Wizards of the Coast is creating a game that allows fans to play and interact with their favorite SIMPSONS characters in a unique new way."

"THE SIMPSONS enjoy a tremendous and enthusiastic fan base," said Chuck Huebner, CEO of Wizards of the Coast. "Our trading card game will bring the THE SIMPSONS family and Springfield residents to life, immortalizing everything that fans love about the show: the characters, the script and the fun twisted plot lines."

ABOUT THE SIMPSONS
Homer, Marge, Bart, Lisa and Maggie take traditional comedy and family life and turn them upside down in FOX's critically acclaimed series, THE SIMPSONS. Voted the best show of the 20th Century by TIME magazine, THE SIMPSONS exploded into a cultural phenomenon in 1990 and remains one of the most visible and marketable properties both domestically and internationally. This Emmy Award(r)-winning series successful entry into syndication only added to its appeal, reaching a whole new generation of fans. THE SIMPSONS is also famous for featuring celebrity guest voices such as Michelle Pfeiffer, Mel Gibson, Elizabeth Taylor, Kim Basinger, Danny DeVito and musical guests 'NSYNC, Britney Spears and Aerosmith. THE SIMPSONS, currently in production on their 14th season, will celebrate their 300th episode in February 2003.

Twentieth Century Fox Licensing and Merchandising, along with Twentieth Century Fox Home Entertainment, comprise the retail-oriented strategic alliance of Fox Consumer Products. A recognized industry leader, Twentieth Century Fox Licensing and Merchandising licenses and markets properties worldwide on behalf of Twentieth Century Fox Film Corporation, Twentieth Television and Fox Broadcasting Company, as well as third party lines.

Wizards of the Coast, Inc., a subsidiary of Hasbro, Inc. (NYSE:HAS), is the worldwide market share leader in the trading card game and tabletop roleplaying game categories. A leading developer and publisher of game-based entertainment products, the company holds an exclusive patent on the method of playing trading card games (TCGs) and produces the world's best-selling Pokémon(r) and Magic: The Gathering(r) TCGs. Publisher of adventure games, family card and board games and electronic media products. Wizards of the Coast is also one of the world's premier book publishers of fantasy series fiction whose novels have made numerous appearances on The New York Times best-seller list and have sold millions of copies worldwide. For more information, visit the Wizards of the Coast(r) website at wizards.com.

Star Wars (c) 2002 Lucasfilm Ltd. & (r) or TM where indicated. All rights reserved. Used under authorization.
Pokémon(r) is a registered trademark of Nintendo. (c) 2002 Nintendo.
Wizards of the Coast, Magic: The Gathering, Magic, Dungeons & Dragons, Showdown and all character names and their distinctive likenesses are property of Wizards of the Coast, Inc., a subsidiary of Hasbro Inc. (c)2002 Wizards.