Topps closes WizKids
By Staff -- Playthings, 11/11/2008 10:50:00 AM
NEW YORK—The Topps Co. has shuttered its WizKids division, maker of collectible miniatures games, and discontinued its product lines.
“This was an extremely difficult decision,” said Scott Silverstein, Topps’ CEO. “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.”
In a statement posted to WizKids’ website yesterday, Topps said that it would “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.”
Topps purchased WizKids in 2003, three years after the Bellvue, Wash.-based company was founded by then 25-year-old game designer Jordan Weisman. Its debut game, Mage Knight, boasted an innovative rethinking of traditional miniatures game play that used a patented “combat dial” base in each miniature figure in place of “cumbersome charts and sourcebooks.” The company went on to produce games based on popular science-fiction, video game and comic book properties, including many of the major characters from both DC and Marvel's comic universes.
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