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FIRST LASER LOGIC GAME AMONG INNOVATIVE THINKFUN GAMES DEBUTING AT TOY FAIR 2013
NEW YORK, Feb. 11, 2013 – Toy Fair Booth 2251 - The first logic game with a real laser, the first hide & seek toddler game, and the first circle-shaped word game are showcased at the American International Toy Fair by ThinkFun, the world’s leader in addictively fun games that sharpen your mind. ThinkFun is known for Rush Hour, Zingo!, Roll & Play and other game-changers in the industry.
“A mainstay of our nearly 30-year history is a focus on innovation, developing games that fill an educational need, tap into technology, and sync with societal trends,” said Bill Ritchie, ThinkFun CEO and Co-Founder. “Our games reflect first-ever concepts and designs, collaborations with ground-breaking inventors, and new twists to igniting minds of all ages.”
Available at ThinkFun.com and stores nationwide, new games include:
Laser Maze (Ages 8 to adult, solo play, MSRP: $29.99)
Builds: Sequential reasoning, visual perception
Tweens will cheer for the first logic game with a real laser! Players beam, bend, and split a laser using mirrors and targets to solve 60 challenges. Laser Maze is the brainchild of Luke Hooper, inventor of the chess-like laser game Khet. This powerful, safe game experience unites the heritage of ThinkFun’s logic puzzles with the latest in high-tech.
Hello Sunshine! (Ages 18 months to three years, two or more players, MSRP: $19.99
Builds: Confidence, motor skills, positional concepts
For the first time, hide & seek and plush toys – two toddler favorites – are brightly matched in an active play game. Parents and toddlers take turns hiding and finding Sunshine, a soft, huggable toy. As they excitedly seek Sunshine or hide it with glee, toddlers learn positional concepts such as NEXT to, BEHIND, and ON TOP. A great confidence booster, Hello Sunshine! was invented by Bill Ritchie as a companion to Roll & Play, the first-ever toddler game released in 2012 to rave reviews and two Toy of the Year nominations.
WordARound (Ages 10 to adult, two or more players, MSRP: $12.99)
Builds: Focus, reflexes, vocabulary
Players race to unravel and call out the word in this fast-paced circular card game. Fun for families, it’s a quick study but surprisingly tough, fueling frenzied play and laughter. With its knack for creating fans in an instant, it’s no surprise WordARound was invented by The Herbert Brothers, a filmmaking duo known for their shoestring production of a smash Super Bowl ad.
Swish Jr. (Ages 5 and up, two or more players, MSRP: $12.99
Builds: Visual perception, matching, concentration
This transparent card game is the much-anticipated little sibling to Swish, a two-time nominee for Toy of the Year. Young players build spatial awareness as they mentally flip and rotate see-through cards to match shapes.
MathDice Powers Practice Edition (Ages 10 to adult, two or more players, MSRP: $7.99)
Builds: Mental math skills, particularly exponents
A new design of MathDice, the widely acclaimed “Fast, Fun Game of Mental Math,” with a focus on exponents. Invented in 1998 by ThinkFun co-founders’ 11-year-old son Sam (now a software engineer at Twitter), MathDice has sparked a passion for numbers worldwide.
In other news...
ThinkFun Celebrates FOUR 2013 Toy of the Year Nominations. Click for full press release.
ThinkFun's 5 New Education Games Make Classroom Learning Fun! Click for full press release.
About ThinkFun
ThinkFun is the world's leader in addictively fun games that sharpen your mind. ThinkFun was founded in 1985 by husband and wife team Bill Ritchie and Andrea Barthello with a dream to change the world through play. Our mission: "To translate the brilliant ideas of the craziest mathematicians, engineers and inventors into simple toys that can be appreciated by boys and girls around the world."
Over the years, ThinkFun has strengthened its commitment to products that inspire learning, spark creativity, and nurture problem solving. We continue to push into new frontiers with apps, online games, education programs – even brain research!
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Who We Are:
Bill Ritchie, CEO/Co-Founder
A lifelong puzzle enthusiast, Bill believes great games can strengthen thinking skills and prepare kids for the 21st century. His pioneering efforts drive development of ThinkFun’s innovative programs and products. Bill is a respected member of the international puzzle community and World Presidents Organization, and a founding President of the World Entrepreneur Organization.
Andrea Barthello, Chairman/Co-Founder
Andrea is ThinkFun's ambassador in the worldwide marketplace. Her drive and passion have fueled the charge to build ThinkFun from the ground up. Shipping, orders, sales, marketing, accounting, everyday operations - you name it, she's done it! Named one of Washington Business Journal's "Women Who Mean Business," Andrea currently serves on the Board for the Toy Industry Association and is a past member of the American Specialty Toy Retailing Association (ASTRA) Board.
Charlotte Fixler, Communications Manager
A former elementary school teacher, Charlotte is the “face behind Facebook,” managing ThinkFun’s social media outlets and leading communication and marketing initiatives. Her SmartPlay Blog explores the connection between learning and play. Please direct all media inquiries to Charlotte at cfixler@thinkfun.com or (703) 549-4999 x3500
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ThinkFun is the world's leader in addictively fun games that challenge your mind and inspire creative thinking. Over 25 years ago, ThinkFun was founded with a dream to change the world through play. ThinkFun continues to expand on that dream every day with online games, mobile apps and global education programs. To learn more about ThinkFun, go to www.thinkfun.com.
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