Topps Shuts Down WizKids

[Ghostwind]

ICv2 - Topps Shuts Down WizKids

The Topps Company is announcing today that it is closing down WizKids, its core hobby gaming business, and temporarily discontinuing the WizKids product lines. Topps CEO Scott Silverstein commented, “This was an extremely difficult decision. But in light of the current economic conditions, we feel it is necessary to align our gaming initiatives more closely with Topps current sports and entertainment offerings which are already being developed within our New York office.” WizKids is based in Seattle, Washington.

In its statement announcing the closing of WizKids, Topps also indicated that it was pursuing “strategic alternatives so that viable brands and properties, including HeroClix, can continue without any noticeable disruption.”

So much for HeroClix and Pirates...

 

[justanobody]

WizKids Games

So funny. Took how many years since Mage Knight for this to happen?

I guess Star Wars Minis are next for the axe.

 

[jdrakeh]

Man, that sucks. I really liked the HeroClix and HorrorClix. We never got a Mage Knight RPG, either (which, despite my not caring much for the Mage Knight game itself, I would have very much loved to see).

I guess it's a worse time for minis than it is for RPGs.

 

[Vocenoctum]

ICv2 - Topps Shuts Down WizKids



So much for HeroClix and Pirates...

Though I didn't like the Fan Pro direction of Shadowrun, I wonder how this affects the former FASA properties.

 

[filthgrinder]

WizKids Games

So funny. Took how many years since Mage Knight for this to happen?

I guess Star Wars Minis are next for the axe.

I've been awaiting the Star Wars minis announcement. Just listening to the latest D&D podcast made me real curisous about it.

Also surprising, the WoW minis game launches this week.

 

[frankthedm]

The Blurb itself indicates they are trying to get Heroclix to stay in production. Pirates is as good as dead though.

It sounds like they may have another team take control of managing the heroclix line. It would be like if Hasbro fired all of wotc, but still put out D&D material.

 

[justanobody]

I've been awaiting the Star Wars minis announcement. Just listening to the latest D&D podcast made me real curisous about it.

Also surprising, the WoW minis game launches this week.

Yeah that was a bit of a podcast there. I have to listen to it a third time. I tried transcribing it, but was too busy listening, and still think I misheard a few things and need to listen again to catch them.

WoW will probably take over the minis market since they have more to go on and can risk more with the number of players that play the video games.

Also aren't they using North American minis manufacturers unlike China that WotC and WizKids use?

Might be the big difference.

It would be like if Hasbro fired all of wotc, but still put out D&D material.

There's an idea.

 

[Asmor]

That's a shame. Back in the Mage Knight era, when WizKids was picking up the Shadowrun and Battletech properties, I thought that they were lined up to be the next big player in the gaming industry.

I didn't play any of their recent games (I only played Mage Knight and MechWarrior Dark Ages), but I'm sad to see them go.

 

[Angel Tarragon]

Oh for cryin' out loud. I had bought a case of hero clix to see what the hubbub was all about a couple weeks ago.

 

[justanobody]

You mean a brick?

If it is still sealed sell it on eBay before everyone finds out, or wait and see if they can find someone to carry the line on.