JoyRide Studios Releases First MechWarriors(R) 3D Collectible Figures
GLEN ELLYN, Ill., Jan. 31 -- JoyRide Studios, a
brand of Racing Champions Ertl , announced today that it has
released its first MechWarrior scale-model articulated collectible figures
under terms of an exclusive licensing agreement reached last year with
WizKids, a Seattle-based developer and publisher of fantasy games and novels.
The announcement was made today by Peter Henseler, President of Racing
Champions Ertl.
The figures are die-cast and plastic replicas of the giant mechanized
'Mechs that convert into warriors in the extremely popular sci-fi MechWarrior:
Dark Age collectible miniatures game and MechWarrior line of electronic games
developed by Microsoft. "An estimated 25 million people have played these
games or read the novels since they were introduced in 1984," Henseler said.
"They're consistently ranked among the most popular sci-fi action games, and
the characters have a passionate following. Now we've taken MechWarriors off
the 2D screen and turned them into 3D reality. And, in the process, we've
expanded the reach of our already extensive product line."
The MechWarrior figures are packaged with faction stickers, and include a
removable 'Mech(R) pilot. The Company plans to sell these products through
its existing customer base as well as through distribution at electronic and
video game retailers.
JoyRide Studios ( http://www.joyridestudios.com ) is focused on developing
collectible and toy products for the 'tween, teen and post-teen market
segments. Its parent, Racing Champions Ertl ( http://www.rcertl.com ) is a leading
producer and marketer of innovative collectibles and toys targeted at males of
all ages. The Company's diverse product offerings include scaled die-cast
replicas of John Deere agricultural equipment and NASCAR stock cars, other
licensed vehicle replicas, pre-teen toys, sports trading cards, racing apparel
and souvenirs, and collectible figures. These products are sold under the
Company's market-focused brand names, including Racing Champions(R), Ertl(R),
Ertl Collectibles(R), American Muscle(TM), AMT(R), W. Britain(R), Press
Pass(R), and JoyRide Studios(TM). The Company reinforces its brands and
enhances the authenticity of its products by linking them with highly
recognized licensed properties including NASCAR, NHRA, John Deere, Harley-
Davidson, Case, Polaris, Honda, Caterpillar, Ford, GM, Chrysler, Texaco,
Universal Studios, Warner Brothers, Hit Entertainment, Nintendo, Sega, and
Electronic Arts. The Company's products are marketed through multiple channels
of distribution, including mass retailers and specialty and hobby wholesalers
and retailers, OEM dealers, and to corporate accounts for promotional
purposes. The Company sells through more than 20,000 retail outlets located in
North America, Europe, and Asia Pacific.
Certain statements contained in this release contain "forward-looking
statements" within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act
of 1995. These statements may be identified by the use of forward-looking
words or phrases such as "anticipate," "believe," "could," "expect," "intend,"
"may," "planned," "potential," "should," "will" and "would." Such forward-
looking statements are inherently subject to known and unknown risks and
uncertainties. Such uncertainties and other operational matters are discussed
further in the Company's quarterly and annual filings with the Securities and
Exchange Commission. The Company's actual results and future developments
could differ materially from the results or developments expressed in, or
implied by, these forward-looking statements. The Company undertakes no
obligation to make any revisions to the forward-looking statements contained
in this release or to update them to reflect events or circumstances occurring
after the date of this release.
CONTACT: Curt Stoelting, CEO, +1-630-790-3507, ext. 133, or Jody Taylor,
CFO, +1-630-790-3507, ext. 158, both of Racing Champions Ertl
MechWarrior, BattleTech, and 'Mech are trademarks of WizKids, LLC.