Awards Continue for Binary Arts

BA Celebrates Five New Awards

July 30, 2002 Alexandria, VA - Binary Arts games have been showered with ten coveted awards for excellence in design, concept, and entertainment value, including the prestigious ASTRA Hot Picks Award and the Mensa Select® Award. "We could not be more proud to receive these distinguished awards," says Bill Ritchie, Co-Founder and President. "They validate our mission and ironclad commitment to producing puzzles and games that are exceptional in quality and loads of fun and challenge."

Binary Arts' awards for the first half of 2002 include:

Smart Mouth®
ASTRA Hot Picks Game for Ages 7 and Up
MENSA Select® Award
Oppenheim Toy Portfolio Gold Seal Award

ZINGO!™
Oppenheim Toy Portfolio Gold Seal Award
National Parenting Center Seal of Approval

Coast to Coast™
Dr. Toy Best Vacation Products

Roadside Rescue™
Dr. Toy Best Vacation Products
The Lion & the Lamb Project

Dino Dodge'em™
Oppenheim Toy Portfolio Gold Seal Award

Elephant Spinout®
Oppenheim Toy Portfolio Gold Seal Award

All of the 2002 awards presented to Binary Arts represent top honors for toys and games. As illustrated below, each is sponsored by an independent organization with a reputation for rigorous quality standards:

ASTRA Hot Picks - Presented by the American Specialty Toy Retailing Association, an organization dedicated to child development and the value of specialty toys, this award is one of the most difficult to receive and one of the most coveted, because products may not be submitted for consideration. ASTRA selects and reviews all products independently.

MENSA Select® Award - An award issued for exceptional puzzles and games that have been tested in the annual MENSA Mind Games™ competition by 150 members of American MENSA, the high IQ society. Among the 54 products tested this year, Smart Mouth was judged among the top five for 2002.

Oppenheim Toy Portfolio Gold Seal Award - The Oppenheim Toy Portfolio is the only independent guide to the best entertainment products for kids. Its testing program subjects products to in-depth review by experts in child development, literature, and education, as well as by the world's toughest toy critics - kids.

Dr. Toy Best Vacation Products - This toy rating program is sponsored by the non-profit Institute for Childhood Resources, which identifies toys that are especially suited to summertime learning because of their ability to deliver fun, learning, relaxation, and stimulation.

National Parenting Center Seal of Approval - The Seal is awarded by the NPC's independent, multi-step testing program for excellence in desirability, sturdiness, and interactive stimulation. In its review of ZINGO!, NPC said, "A wonderful version of the always-popular Bingo, this game was a huge hit with all ages in our testing centers." It called the game's unique tile dispenser and storage unit "nothing short of brilliant."

The Lion & The Lamb Project - This advocacy, lobbying, and product review organization issues an annual Top 20 Non-Violent Toy List featuring toys and games that exemplify the best in non-violent, creative fun.

About Binary Arts
By transforming the ideas of mathematicians, puzzle masters, and game theorists into engaging products, Binary Arts has mastered the art of making toys that are fun and smart. Founded in 1985 by Bill Ritchie and Andrea Barthello, its products have won over 100 awards and are found in specialty toy and gift stores around the world. More information can be found on the web at www.binaryarts.com [1] or www.thinkfun.com [2], the Internet's best game site, operated by Binary Arts. Retailers can place orders by calling their Binary Arts Sales Representative or (800) 468-1864.

For more information, contact: Steve Cuomo
scuomo@ThinkFun.com [3]
703-549-4999