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Written by John Coviello

Category: Industry News

Published: 01 June 2011

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The game business in the hobby channel had a great first quarter, according to the market report in ICv2's Internal Correspondence #75, with accelerating sales in multiple categories.

Descriptions of Q1 hobby channel game business quoted in the report included "spectacular," "a really big upswing," and "a really healthy growth pattern."

Mass sales of hobby games were weaker, with more pronounced season shifts (Easter was later in 2011) and product-specific factors making growth difficult.

Read more: Game Business Soars in Q1

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Written by John Coviello

Category: Industry News

Published: 27 May 2011

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Hasbro has announced that 70 marketing and development employees will be relocated from its East Longmeadow, Massachusetts location to a new Center of Excellence for Hasbro Games in Rhode Island (where Hasbro is headquartered). As a result of the consolidation, Hasbro will also eliminate 75 positions.

The newly organized games group will focus on both face-to-face board games “while also more effectively competing in the broader world of gaming across all platforms,” according to Hasbro CEO Brian Goldner.

Other than the sales at Wizards of the Coast (where WotC’s Magic:  The Gathering and board game sales were up), Hasbro game sales have been declining recently, with a 12% drop in its Games and Puzzles segment in Q1.

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Written by John Coviello

Category: Industry News

Published: 20 May 2011

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Our great friends at Fantasy Flight Games landed us a spot on their front page this week.

Cruise on over to their Retailer Spotlight if you feel like learning more about the history of your favorite Professional Game Store.

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Written by John Coviello

Category: Industry News

Published: 11 May 2011

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For the second consecutive year, the Origins Game Fair exhibit hall has sold out more than a month in advance of the event. The hall will have over 350 booths representing more than 200 companies in the industry.

Among those companies is the show’s new co-sponsor: Mayfair Games, which will provide support for many of the events at the show, including the “Kids Room” and the return of the “Theme Area.” Others sponsors include Rio Grande Games, Troll & Toad, Sandstorm Productions, Elfinwerks, Bandai, Adventure Retail, Cryptozoic, Catalyst Game Labs, Looney Labs, Chimera Hobby Shop, Decision Games, Hills Wholesale Gaming, WizKids, Eagle Games, Geek Chic, GPA, Battle Front, Kenzer & Company, Reaper / Hobby Q, Z-Man Games, GameScience, and Free RPG Day.

Origins 2010 saw a marked increase in attendance after a downturn in attendance in 2009.

The Game Manufacturers Association (GAMA) has announced plans to once again host an “Origins Trade Day.” The Trade Day will be held on Thursday, June 23rd.

Some new additions to the show this year are a new “Fast Play” area in the RPG hall, a themed costume contest and an open play area featuring the Origins Award Nominees.

The Origins Game Fair takes place June 23-26th Columbus Ohio at the Greater Columbus Convention Center. Pre-registration for the Origins Game Fair ends on May 31st.