CARLSBAD, Calif. – Feb. 13, 2019 – USAopoly® (The OP), the board game and puzzle publisher behind best-selling party games Telestrations® and Blank Slate™, today unveiled a new logo and website as it commemorates its 25th anniversary in business. The publisher continues to expand its 2019 product showcase with the announcement of two new family games – Astro Trash and Furry Foodies -- and a licensing partnership with critically-acclaimed animation studio LAIKA.
“It is truly humbling to see what dedication and commitment to quality has allowed us to accomplish in the last 25 years. We started the business with only one game and have since become a key driver of innovation and advancement within the industry,” said John M. Davis, President and CEO at USAopoly. “We have seen continued growth, and through last year’s Harry Potter™: Hogwarts™ Battle and Blank Slate, we once again demonstrated our ability to translate passion into success. This updated look and logo reflect our forward progress as well as capture our perseverance and unwavering pledge to deliver great gaming experiences that bring people together.”
Founded in 1994, the company was the first publisher to license Monopoly® from Hasbro to create localized versions of the game. USAopoly quickly found success and soon became the largest manufacturer of Monopoly games with a twist. The company then started adding its own spin to other favorites, including Clue®, Scrabble®, Codenames, Munchkin®, and Risk®. Today, the company has expanded its portfolio to include original family, social, children and hobbyist products and has established itself as one of the most diverse publishers of board games, collectibles and puzzles.
“We couldn’t be happier with our partnership with USAopoly over the past 25 years,” said Dave Henderson, SVP of Consumer Products at Hasbro. “Not only have we created successful versions of Monopoly together, we have also been able to introduce fun twists to several other classic Hasbro games for fans to enjoy. Congratulations to the USAopoly team for 25 great years.”
In conjunction with the new logo debut, USAopoly today announced plans to produce Coraline-themed games and products with LAIKA, in a deal brokered by Striker Entertainment. The award-winning animated feature Coraline, based on Neil Gaiman's best-selling novella of the same name, was released in 2009 and was immediately recognized for its originality, becoming a cult classic over the past decade. It was nominated for the Academy Award® and BAFTA Award for Outstanding Animated Feature, won the prestigious Cristal Award at the Annecy International Animation Festival and was named one of the Top Ten Films of the Year by the American Film Institute, among many honors. To mark the 10th anniversary of the film’s premiere, USAopoly will release a Coraline-themed Monopoly game, a 1000-piece puzzle and playing cards this spring.
“We have had the pleasure to work with some outstanding companies over the years to convert movies, television series and characters into new tabletop experiences for fans to enjoy, and we are thrilled to be adding the beloved and critically-acclaimed Coraline to our catalog,” added Maggie Matthews, Senior Vice President of Licensing at USAopoly.
The company also revealed two original family games coming to market later this year: Furry Foodies and Astro Trash. Astro Trash combines strategy with the luck of dice rolls to create a spontaneous and quick-thinking challenge for all ages. Furry Foodies is a set collection game inspired by felines of USAopoly employees, where players act as mischievous cats pushing the limit to get to the yummiest snacks, one plate at a time.
These games join USAopoly’s growing 2019 product lineup, which features a variety of original, licensed and co-branded games, including Captain Marvel: Secret Skrulls, YAHTZEE®: Rick and Morty™ Mr. Meeseek’s Edition, licensed versions of Talisman and more. Additional details about the upcoming games will be announced later this year. Those attending New York Toy Fair can stop by booth #203 to learn about the company’s 2019 lineup.
USAopoly invites fans to celebrate this milestone with the use of hashtag #TheOP25 on social media, and with giveaways planned for the 25th of every month. More about The OP and the yearlong celebrations can be found on the company’s new website: www.TheOP.games.
MONOPOLY, the associated logo, the design of the associated MONOPOLY brand game board, and the distinctive letter tile designs are trademarks of Hasbro in the US and Canada {and are used with permission}. © 2019 Hasbro. All Rights Reserved.
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About USAopoly®, Inc.
USAopoly (The OP) celebrates 25 years as a leading publisher and manufacturer of board games, collectibles, and puzzles! Our diverse portfolio includes award-winning and best-selling titles such as TELESTRATIONS®, TAPPLE®, HARRY POTTER™ HOGWARTS BATTLE™ and BLANK SLATE™, as well as licensed versions of MONOPOLY®, CLUE®, MUNCHKIN®, TRIVIAL PURSUIT®, CODENAMES, and more. The OP continues to partner with marquee brands and licensors such as Disney, Nintendo, Warner Bros., Cartoon Network, HBO, FOX, HBO and CBS. We are passionate about creating memories through games that bring together family, friends, and fans who love to play!
About LAIKA
Fueled by the vision of its President & CEO Travis Knight, feature film animation studio LAIKA was founded in 2005. Located just outside Portland, Oregon, LAIKA was awarded a Scientific and Technology Oscar® for its innovation in 3D printing in 2016. Its four films, Kubo and the Two Strings (2016); The Boxtrolls (2014); ParaNorman (2012), and Coraline (2009) were all nominated for Oscars® and PGA Awards as Outstanding Animated Film. Kubo, which marked the directorial debut of Travis Knight, also received an Oscar® nomination for Outstanding Visual Effects and the BAFTA Award as well as three Annie Awards, the National Board of Review and 19 regional and critics’ group awards. The Boxtrolls earned Critics’ Choice and Golden Globe Award nominations and 13 Annie Award nominations, more than any other film that year. ParaNorman garnered BAFTA, Critics’ Choice, and GLAAD Media Award nominations, won two Annie Awards and was cited as the year’s best animated film by 14 critics’ groups. Coraline earned Golden Globe, BAFTA, and Critics’ Choice nominations, and was named one of the year’s 10 Best Films by the American Film Institute (AFI). For more information, visit http://www.LAIKA.com.
About Hasbro, Inc.
Hasbro (NASDAQ: HAS) is a global play and entertainment company committed to Creating the World's Best Play Experiences. From toys and games to television, movies, digital gaming and consumer products, Hasbro offers a variety of ways for audiences to experience its iconic brands, including NERF, MY LITTLE PONY, TRANSFORMERS, PLAY-DOH, MONOPOLY, BABY ALIVE and MAGIC: THE GATHERING, as well as premier partner brands. Through its entertainment labels, Allspark Pictures and Allspark Animation, the Company is building its brands globally through great storytelling and content on all screens. Hasbro is committed to making the world a better place for children and their families through corporate social responsibility and philanthropy. Hasbro ranked No. 5 on the 2018 100 Best Corporate Citizens list by CR Magazine, and has been named one of the World’s Most Ethical Companies® by Ethisphere Institute for the past seven years. Learn more at www.hasbro.com, and follow us on Twitter (@Hasbro) and Instagram (@Hasbro).
