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Z-Cardz
The Game!
California Creations
Have you seen these cards in your local grocery store or at the convenience store? There thin plastic cards that you can punch out to make all sorts of cool things out of, like jet planes, helicopters, tanks, dinosaurs and such? Well, hold on to your seats as there will be a card game made based on this creation!
Dan Verssen over at Dan
Verssen Games (DVG) tipped us off to this exciting little tidbit of
information some time ago, but now we've got pictures to go along with the
information, as well as a little history regarding the product that
started it all - the original Z-Cardz!.
History
The original Z-Cardz were developed in 1997 as promotional items to be
included in food and other products as a free gift to consumers. The
line continued to grow for the next 3 years.
The first retail concept was designed in 2000 and was pre-released for sale to the U.S. specialty toy and gift markets in early 2001 exclusively by California Creations. Actual shipments began in May, 2001. Z-Cardz were an instant success in every store that showed sample constructions near their display. Through that first summer, consumers in specific regions around the country became very excited about collecting all of the Z-Cardz available. At that time, there were only six boxes with five designs in each.
Throughout the fall of 2001 the line grew rapidly and California Creations created its first strategic alliance that helped make Z-Cardz a product sold in markets world-wide. This alliance was with Dennis Green LTD. to use one Z-Cardz in a package with gum. This combination has proved to be extremely successful. It is sold to confection buyers in stores throughout the United States.
Today Z-Cardz are sold throughout the world including Europe, Asia, North America and Australia with unit sales totaling over 40,000,000 pieces. The line includes over 150 different designs in the Original size and 8 different larger Mega Z-Cardz designs. They are all currently being used by educators for geometry and engineering and as behavioral rewards. They are used for event promotions, product promotions and numerous other uses.
Z-Cardz: The Game
Here's the skinny on the Z-Cardz game, as well as some cool pictures
for you all:
Z-Cardz The Game is the newest
dimension of the Z-Cardz universe. Already widely popular, Z-Cardz –
plastic cards with punch-out pieces that can be built into cool and
colorful three-dimensional micro-constructions – act as the combatants
in this strategy game designed for novices and pros alike. Created for a
range of skill and experience, there are many levels of play. The strategy
depends on the stage and age of each particular player – from ages 8 and
up.
Simply
put, the object is to destroy your enemy’s forces… but if it were only
that easy. Utilizing the original generation of Z-Cardz, each game Starter
Box includes 23 Z-Cardz (featuring tanks, helicopters, race cars, fighter
jets, and many more fascinating mini-models), an engaging game board with
quick tips, and dice – everything you need to build and conquer! Each
player’s Z-Cardz are arranged respectively on three separate panels of
the game board: Red (Striker), Green (Producer), and Blue (Blocker). Once
assembled and placed on the board, players deploy their Z-Cardz in one of
three formations: Attack, Build, or All Out – each with particular
strengths and weaknesses, and each an extension of the gamer’s strategy.
Z-Cardz The Game is easy to
learn. Smart card play is vital to victory: The more Z-Cardz you have in
your arsenal, the more powerful card combinations you’ll discover. You
can surprise your enemy with the perfectly timed use of Boost Effects or
by unleashing the rare but powerful Silver and Gold cards and game pieces.
The game features playing cards to detail the Attack, Build, and Special
Abilities for each of the Z-Card Armies. The playing cards combine art and
function. Each card presents a large beautiful illustration of its Z-Card
and the game information that highlights that particular Z-Cardz unique
power. The game play is fast, exciting, and as you begin to master the art
of war, unlimited possibilities and outcomes are unearthed.
Z-Cardz
The Game is truly unique in the game world. With the purchase of one
Starter Box (MSRP $11.95), players have everything they need to construct
their own Z-Cardz armies and go to battle. Players can continue to build
their forces beyond the Starter Box with Z-Cardz Booster Packs (MSRP
$3.95). Included in each are a total of five Z-Cardz that reinforce their
legions and add new dimensions and powers to their armies. Every Z-Cardz
Booster Pack contains three regular Z-Cardz, as well as two Silver, or one
Silver and one Gold, Z-Card and game piece. With each new wave of forces,
the stakes are raised as your army grows.
Z-Cardz The Game has maximum
flexibility, allowing living room warlords to play man to man, on teams,
or in free-for-all matches. And with actual game pieces that add a
tactile, interactive edge, Z-Cardz The Game breaks all the
rules…allowing players of all skill levels and ages to Build A Winner!
Created by Dan Verssen Games,
in partnership with California Creations, Z-Cardz The Game is an
experience for gamers, designed by gamers:
Dan Verssen brings to
Dan Verssen Games 14 highly successful years of game design experience,
with over 25 card, dice, and board games published. He has worked as a
contracted game designer for several game companies including industry
leaders such as Avalon Hill, Alderac Entertainment Group and Wizards of
the Coast. Verssen was the Lead Designer of the widely acclaimed 7th Sea
Collectible Card Game, and also designed the Star Trek Collectible Dice
Game - during which he worked intimately with the property licensing
division of Paramount Studios.
Chris Richardson,
Production Manager for Dan Verssen Games, draws his technical expertise
from a rich career in the visual effects world. He served as Technical
Support Manager at NewTek, the creators of Lightwave 3D, software that has
become the backbone of many effects studios in Hollywood. He worked on Tom
Hank's Emmy Award winning series - "From the Earth to the Moon"
as the Systems Administrator for Area 51 Visual Effects, and also served
as Systems Manager at Netter Digital working on Babylon 5, Voltron and
Starship Troopers.
Holly Verssen has made vital contributions to over 20 designs as a Game Developer during the last 13 years. She has developed games for California Creations, GMT Games, Alderac Entertainment Group, WorldWide Wargames, and Wizards of the Coast. She brings to the company an ability to recognize undesirable strategies and make changes to enhance a game’s long-term playability.
Keep an eye out for this game, coming to your local game store sometime soon.
(Posted 01-29-03)