At Upper Deck we are always looking for the next big thing. Whether it is with regard to creating innovative sports memorabilia, trading cards, toys or games, we are always on the hunt for products that will galvanize our fan base; both young and old. I have been with Upper Deck for fourteen years now and I have really enjoyed witnessing first-hand the company’s drive in pursuing these types of properties. Sometimes they take off and sometimes they don’t, but we have one now that I think has a lot of potential.
It is called “Slingers” and we are partnering with Marvel Entertainment on bringing it to market exclusively this month through Toys “R” Us. It will be available in hobby shops in December from there. Trading card games have been popular for a long time, but this is almost like the Nintendo Wii where users become a more active participant in the game. It inspires gamers to get up from the table and slinging their game unit to pick up Marvel Entertainment branded medallions with different point values. Check out one of the first commercials for the product.
Once you get one of the game units in your hand, you can’t stop messing around with it. You just keep slinging. It is very habit-forming and more importantly; fun. I was on a conference call last week where we were talking about the product, but I’m just looking at one of the game units and it was calling to me. People are talking about distribution on the product and all I want to do is grab it and start slinging. So I did. And you know what? Nobody in the room could blame me. The people on the call however may have thought I have a serious case of ADD.
This weekend we are debuting and demoing Marvel Slingers at the Chicago Toy and Game Fair this weekend on November 19-20 at the Navy Pier in Chicago, Illinois. This will be one of the first times consumers can get the game units in their hands, I just wonder if they will give them back. Here’s more information about the show:
Will Marvel Slingers become the next big thing? It’s too early to tell, but it has all the elements of a great property. Stop in to Toys “R” Us and grab one for that Marvel fan on your Holiday gift list. Until then, I’m going to keep slinging.
1 Comment
I was totally not impressed with anything at the game and toy fair, and was pretty disappointed that my daughter (4 years old)and I would be leaving without a new toy. Much to our good luck we walked past all of these kids intent on this game that looked like a yoyo. Before I could ask the lady if my daughter could try it out she was already in there with her own slinger having a great time. Needless to say, we walked away with two starter packs, and she has been asking to play all day. Now I just need more medallions.