USAopoly (under license by Hasbro, Inc.) announced a partnership with Blizzard Entertainment, Inc. to release fresh takes on two classic board games. Monopoly: World of Warcraft and RISK: StarCraft combine tried-and-true foundations with new designs and gameplay elements inspired by Blizzard’s popular gaming universes. Those who dare to engage will discover a new chance to claim supremacy, both over their friends and over the battle-torn lands of Azeroth and the Koprulu Sector.
Monopoly: World of Warcraft Descend into a world of myth, magic, and legendary adventure to battle for control of World of Warcraft’s iconic locations. Explore jagged, snowy peaks, vast mountain fortresses, harsh, winding canyons, and smoldering battlefields — a host of legendary experiences await you as you enter the World of Warcraft! Featuring custom graphics from Blizzard Entertainment’s world-class artists and designers, the Monopoly game’s land grab includes coveted real estate such as Twilight Highlands, Grizzly Hills, and the Swamp of Sorrows. In the rush to rule over the faction capitals of Orgrimmar and Stormwind, players will feverishly buy, sell, and trade in true Monopoly fashion, until one player controls the lands and vanquishes all comers. This handsomely crafted Monopoly game formally debuted on February 12th at the 109th annual Toy Fair in New York City. World of Warcraft players, however, were treated to a sneak peek via Blizzard’s World of Warcraft Facebook page and had the opportunity to vote on the game’s iconic tokens. 50,000 votes later, the die was cast and the six most popular pieces were announced: Murky Mechagnome, Magni Bronzebeard’s Hammer, the Flying Boot which is symbolic of the Flightmaster on maps, the Hearthstone, and a Corehound Pup.
Other notable highlights of the Monopoly game include custom sculpted houses (Warcraft towns) and hotels (Warcraft cities), a red and blue die representing the Horde and Alliance Factions, and currency imprinted with familiar Warcraft faces, including the Pandaren Brewmaster, Chen Stormstout ($1), the dwarven King of Khaz Modan, Magni Bronzebeard ($5), the shadow hunter, Vol'jin ($10), Elune high priestess, Tyrande Whisperwind ($20), the supreme ruler of the Forsaken, Sylvanas ‘Dark Lady’ Windrunner ($50), the King of Stormwind, Varian Wrynn ($100), and the Horde Warchief, Thrall ($500). There has never been a better time to engage face-to-face in World of Warcraft’s epic power struggle. The game retails for $39.95 and will be available in specialty stores across North America.
RISK: StarCraft In the distant future, the newly formed Terran Dominion faces the arrival of two hostile alien races: the savage Zerg and the enigmatic Protoss. The only allies are enemies. The only choice is war! StarCraft's storyline spans thirty missions spread across three unique campaigns, creating a true sci-fi epic. Follow Jim Raynor on his quest to save the Terran colonies from destruction; serve the cunning Zerg Overmind as it hatches a deadly plan; and lead the Protoss Prelates in the desperate defense of their homeworld. The forthcoming release of RISK: StarCraft should whet the appetites of StarCraft players who will once again find the StarCraft universe in jeopardy. Players will choose from the Terran, Protoss, or Zerg Factions and six unique Heroes to ultimately bring order to the galaxy. The struggles portrayed in this real-time game of strategic RISK: StarCraft features three play modes and sports over 290 custom playing pieces, with Units and Heroes gathered from all corners of the StarCraft and StarCraft II universe. Six hero pieces represent the three main Factions — Terran (Jim Raynor & Valerian Mengsk), Protoss (Artanis & Zeratul), and Zerg (Kerrigan, Queen of Blades & Za’gara), plus each Faction introduces two new Units to the frontlines: Terran (Marine, Seige Tank), Protoss (Zealot, Stalker), and Zerg (Hydralisk, Zergling). Hero Units share a unique mechanic that makes them standout from other Faction Units (the standard pieces). These mechanics have also appeared in other licensed versions of RISK. There are also Mineral Fields shared by all Factions that have game-influencing factors associated with them. Additionally, there are three bases of operation per Faction: Terran (Command Center), Protoss (Nexus), and Zerg (Hatchery). While the complete rulebook is still in development, RISK: StarCraft will be designed for 3-6 players. The reason it can support beyond three is because each Faction will come with two armies and two leaders (of different colors), which means two players can play a Zerg collective — if they dare to.
To herald the upcoming launch of RISK: StarCraft, USAopoly held a “Name Your Space” sweepstakes on their Facebook profile encouraging the community to submit a name for a territory on the RISK board (the winning title, Hell’s Gate, will be printed on the RISK: StarCraft board), with the winning entry receiving a copy of RISK: StarCraft signed by the StarCraft II creative team. RISK: StarCraft is slated for release this summer and will be available in specialty stores throughout North America with a suggested retail price of $49.45. About USAopoly: USAopoly, Inc. is a leading specialty market game developer offering the world’s best-known games (under license from the Entertainment & Licensing Division of Hasbro) with the hottest licenses http://USAopoly.com. About Blizzard Entertainment, Inc.: Best known for blockbuster hits including World of Warcraft and the Warcraft, StarCraft, and Diablo franchises, Blizzard Entertainment, Inc. (www.blizzard.com), a division of Activision Blizzard (NASDAQ: ATVI), is a premier developer and publisher of entertainment software renowned for creating some of the industry’s most critically acclaimed games. Blizzard Entertainment’s track record includes thirteen #1-selling games and multiple Game of the Year awards. The company’s online-gaming service, Battle.net, is one of the largest in the world, with millions of active players. |
conquest adapt perfectly to classic tabletop RISK gameplay, and the winner will be determined by astute deployment of military might and strategic field tactics.