Duncan Toys is planning a fall 2008 release for Warball, a collectible card game that adds the unique dimension of Warball marbles to a game that includes the appeal of card collecting and strategic thinking.  The marbles add elements of manual dexterity and sharp-shooting skills to a game, which as far as the marbles are concerned, can be played for keeps or not. 

 

Conceived by Trish Bell and board game designer Richard C. Levy, Warball was developed by Mike Selinker and Teeuwynn Woodruff of game design studio Lone Shark Games.  Michael Brown, a toy industry veteran who has managed such brands as Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles and Star Trek, oversaw the entire project.

 

Artists providing card art include Stan Shaw (Nintendo, DC Comics), Shane Nitzsche (WotC), Keely Dolan (Paizo), and Adam Gillespie (Sony Online, WotC, Alderac).  The Warball game is targeted at kids from 8-14.  Some of the Warball marbles will contain characters and the game will include four factions easily distinguished by their distinctive color schemes.  The Warball game has an interesting backstory that will be presented in the 24-page instruction booklet and will also be available online.  Duncan is working on distribution plans and will launch Warball in the hobby first.

 

The game will launch with two starter sets, a Battle Box set ($19.99-$24.99) that includes a 60-card deck and 22 Warballs, stands, markers and a Warball storage bag and a Skirmish Pack ($9.99-$14.99), which will contain 15 cards and 6 Warballs, stands, markers and a Warball storage bag.  Duncan plans to follow up the initial launch with subsequent releases of Warball Boosters and Accessory packs that will range in price from $4.99-$9.99.