Toy Fair 2001 -- Day Two

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by Frank Sobyak
Monday, February 12, 2001

Last evening, University Games hosted a 50th Anniversary Colorforms Party at the FAO Schwarz flagship store on 5th Avenue. Everything was first class, and it was apparent that the folks at University Games sure know how to play.

FAO Schwarz was the first retail store to distribute the Colorforms line over 50 years ago, so it was quite appropriate that this was the site for this fantastic event and celebration.

Bob Moog, chairman of University Games, gave the opening comments. Bob thanked the vendors, sales agents, manufacturers and others in attendance for helping to make Colorforms one of the oldest and most respected names in the U.S. toy industry. His presentation was light hearted and humorous, which is Bob's style. Bob's a colorful man, and the life and driving force behind the company.

University Games announced at the event the addition of a Dr. Seuss Colorforms extension to the classic Colorforms line. Also, Colorforms announced the addition of 19 new products including the 50th Anniversary edition of the Original Colorforms Set. This is a limited edition set that includes 350 brightly colored Colorforms pieces in an elegant, gold foil stamped spiral-bound book and case.

Colorforms also added the magic of Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone in several exciting new forms -- Harry Potter: Behind Castle Walls Play Set and Harry Potter: Inside Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry.

Fold and Play Sets were announced, in which the scenes unfold to create panoramic views. Themes of these new sets include Harry Potter, Scooby-Doo and Looney Tunes too. This is a great line extension that takes a two dimensional product into the third dimension. Very nice and sure to attract additional interest in this product line.

Another announcement, and something that we found to surely be a big hit with the kids, was 3-D Finger Jellies. When kids put on special 3-D glasses their Colorforms finger-paint creations turn into sculptures that pop off the page. This is something that we all would have enjoyed to play with as kids.

Vince Kerr, president of AreYouGame.com, John DeBenedictis, vice-president of merchandising for AreYouGame.com, and all the other big hitters from University Games were in attendance for the event.

Show Spotlight

University Games Booth Tour

Today we had a chance to tour the University Games booth on the main show floor. Here's a sampling of what's fun and new for 2001 from University.

For kids:

The Dump Truck Game -- This is a very colorful game in which kids transport colored rocks from one 3-D pop-up environment to the next in dump trucks.

Step On It -- We think this will be a winner. Kids select a subject card, put it under cut-out form of a footprint and then act out the symbol on the subject card. Each turn, the player needs to start by remembering the previous symbols and acting them out before acting out the new one. Forget and you sit aside, but if you can remember the order of each card then you're the winner.

Many of the new card sets are being re-packaged in tins versus the traditional packaging. University Games has found that this helps keep the card sets in better condition and makes for a better presentation for gifts.

For the family:

The Worst Case Scenario Survival Game (compare prices) -- Answer questions as to how you would respond to survival questions. "How would you escape from killer bees?" "Run, stand still or swat?"

Also, University Games will be releasing Weakest Link and Ben Stein's Brainiac Universe.

Fib or Not? at Toy Fair

Attendance started slow for everyone at the show today. We heard reports from contacts at the Show Rooms that they were very busy in the morning, explaining the absence of attendees at the Javits, where Game Zone is located. Action started to pick up in the early afternoon and everyone ended the day on a strong note.

Betcha Didn't Know

Candy Land

While Eleanor Abbott of San Diego, California was recuperating from polio in the 1940s, she occupied herself with devising games and activities for youngsters who had polio. One of her inventions was called "Candy Land." Her young friends liked the game so much, she submitted it to Milton Bradley Company where it was immediately accepted. Since then, Candy Land (compare prices) has been recognized internationally as a "child's first game." (Courtesy of the Toy Manufacturers of America)