chitagAt last November’s Chicago Toy and Game Fair, Lund and Company (creators of Fireball Island) sponsored a Young Inventor Challenge. Students 18 and younger were invited to submit toy or game designs.

The winner was South Elgin high school student Joe Basile for his game King of Kingdoms, a board game where Henry VIII, Alexander the Great, King Arthur and others battle over power and territories.

Hasbro gave the 17 year old a two year contract, and therein lies the catch. From what I understand (as reported by the source), Hasbro gets his inventions for the next two years and pays him royalties if they are profitable. Well, at least he got their attention.

(source)