The Buzz
Staff -- Playthings, 9/1/2001
Mattel's Uno card game just turned 30. Uno 30th Anniversary Edition and a Harry Potter version of the classic game are currently on shelves…A Hobby Industry Association study conducted in 2000 puts the size of the craft and hobby industry at $23 billion. Results released in January 2001 were understated, the HIA said in a release, due to "computation errors."…Dark Horse is bringing 140 units of the 12-inch Lone Wolf and Cub Deluxe figures to Europe and North America. Only 500 will be available worldwide… Hasbro Sculpting Project Director Dave Bilyeu used SensAble Technologies' FreeForm modeling software to work on several of the dinosaurs in Hasbro's Jurassic Park Junior line. As opposed to traditional clay sculpting, he said FreeForm allowed him to experiment a little more freely with the design. If he didn't like the changes, he'd hit the undo option…The Mad Science Group will produce a live-action production at the Kennedy Space Center. Separately, Scholastic will launch multiple new titles in August 2002 branded on the Montreal, Quebec-based edutainment company, which puts on performances in schools and camps centered around science activities…DFC Intelligence forecasts revenue for interactive entertainment to surpass $12 billion by 2003. The San Diego-based research firm also predicts 128-bit game systems to reach $60 million in U.S. sales by 2005…Applause CEO Bob Solomon bet on two properties this year: Shrek and Lord of the Rings. So far, he's one for one…For more buzz, visit playthings.com.
