Wizards of the Coast and WizKids have settled their difference over a patent regarding “constructable strategy games”.

The settlement terms were not revealed, but in essence, WizKids can continue to sell its Pirates of the Cursed Seas Pocketmodel line of games, with license from Wizards. Wizards originally filed the patent to protect its Z-Cards line of products.

The patent:

A game, toy or article of manufacture includes a set of rules and at least one model. The model has multiple movable parts, where under the rules of play, the model begins in an assembled configuration. As the model loses points under the rules of play, at least some of the parts are removed from the model, or replaced with substitute parts. The model may be formed from a panel or other substantially planar member, with the individual pieces formed therein. Methods of game play, computer-implemented games, and other aspects of the invention are described herein. Many other options are possible, as described above.

(source)

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The 39 Clues will be a new book / game experience for kids aged 8 to 10.

The books will be released in September, and are slated to be authored by an assortment of popular children’s writers. The first book (The Maze of Bones, September 2008) will be by Rick Riordan, author of the Percy Jackson series, the second by Gordon Korman (January 2009), third by Peter Lerangis (April 2009), and fourth by Jude Watson (July 2009).

Each book will include six cards with codes, out of 350 total cards. Log on to the official website to play the game. Grand prize for solving the mystery is $10,000.

Steve Spielberg is already slated to make the movie.

(source)

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Next up in board games for the political season: USAopoly will release a 10,000 set limited edition of Stratego: Republicans vs Democrats. It will be available by July 4 in select locations, or you can pick up a copy at Victory Stores.

Instead of skirting your way around two lakes, you get to maneuver your way around political issues.

(source)

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Foxworth, MS: One man shot and killed as a result of an argument escalating from a dice game. (source)

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Paradigm Concepts is making a big splash with new products this year at Origins. In addition to the Grand Tome of Adversaries, which we mentioned last week, other new supplements are The Witch Hunter’s Journal, A Child’s Game, and The Year of the Fall. For the Witch Hunter game that’s an adventure book and player accessory. For Arcanis, The Year of the Fall is an adventure of intrigue set during the decline of the Alabaster Throne.

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