BROOMFIELD, Colo. -- Nov. 14, 2005 -- Games used to be deemed mostly for kids. It's clear that is no longer the case. The non-electronic games industry is a $5 billion industry with 900 publishers and 38,000 products(a). Board games are seeing an eighth consecutive year of record sales. Card games, particularly collectables, fueled by mega hits such as Magic The Gathering and Pokemon, have reached some 25,000 stores in the USA alone. Family and party games, role-playing, miniatures and creative hybrids have found large new audiences.
Games are enticing video enthusiasts. They are reaching classrooms and after school programs. Home schoolers are embracing their interactivity. The Girl Scouts launched a merit badge for games. Old and young are making games a regular entertainment choice.
National Games Week 2005 is November 20-26. An expected 10,000 scheduled events and thousands of unofficial events will occur -- in homes, schools, and stores -- anywhere there is a flat surface to play on. Founder Mark Simmons, who publishes Games Quarterly, stated, "The games available today are far superior to what you might recall from your youth, or what you tried and failed to enjoy playing with your children." He notes a revolution in game design and aesthetics and points to numerous titles that are "fast to learn, highly interactive, with a two-hour play time -- perfect for an evening of entertainment."
Leading toy & game analyst and author Steveanne Auerbach, PhD, aka Dr. Toy (www.drtoy.com), has endorsed the event, stating: "Games are essential for all members of the family to enjoy regularly, to improve learning, thinking and communicating. Games help to build relationships while expanding the minds for players of all ages. Playing games are a great way to insure quality time and great fun. Let's play!"
Anyone can join for free at www.nationalgamesweek.net. Members gain access to support materials and other resources to help them put together their own event.
National Games Week is supported by over 100 publishers, including Wizards of the Coast, Nintendo of America, Pokemon USA, Eagle Games, FanPro USA, Palladium Books, White Wolf Game Studio, Gen Con LLC, Hobby Que, Mayfair Games, Reaper Miniatures, Rio Grande Games, West End Games and Games Quarterly. (a) According to industry surveys and expert analysis.
