WizKids Closes Doors

A little more than five years after acquiring WizKids for a reported $29.5 million in cash, the Topps Company has shut down the game publisher. In an announcement today, Topps said that "WizKids will immediately cease operations and discontinue its product lines." CEO Scott Silverstein said in the press release, "This was an extremely difficult decision. While the company will still actively pursue gaming initiatives, we feel it is necessary to align our efforts more closely with Topps' current sports and entertainment offerings which are being developed within our New York office."

WizKids, founded in 2000, is best known for a series of collectible miniatures games which include HeroClix, HorrorClix, Mage Knight, and Halo ActionClix. The company also published the Pirates series of "constructible strategy games" as well as the Star Wars PocketModel Trading Card Game, the Battlestar Galactica Collectible Card Game, Creepy Freaks, High Stakes Drifter, and Tsuro, among others.

WizKids was acquired by Topps in 2003. Company co-founder Jordan Weisman stepped down as CEO in 2006.

Topps' announcement said the company "will immediately pursue strategic alternatives so that viable brands and properties, including HeroClix, can continue without noticeable disruption. To that end, WizKids will continue supporting Buy it By the Brick redemptions for Arkham Asylum, and the December Organized Play events for HeroClix."

^{Image courtesy of WizKids}