Developing Life Skills Through Play; Trading Card Games helpful in social and cognitive development.

RENTON, Wash. -- Parents looking for games that educate as well as entertain their children this holiday season may want to consider trading cards games. Although youth are constantly stimulated by movies, video games and music, they may be missing out on a key component of cognitive and social development - constructive, interactive play. This is especially important for older, school-age children as it helps them build relationships and life-long strategic thinking skills.

Trading card games foster constructive interaction and cooperation among the players. Introduced in the 1990s, this genre continues to be especially popular with youth who are looking for fun games to share with friends. And, parents are also embracing trading card games because they teach math and strategy skills while promoting social interaction.

"Trading card games can help children develop important organizational and reasoning strategies," said Dr. Helen Boehm, psychologist and author of Fearless Parenting for the New Millennium and The Official Guide to the Right Toys. "In addition to providing a fundamental approach to divergent thinking and socialization, these interactive trading card games encourage creative planning and problem-solving skills."

Trading card games are designed to engage the player's imagination and sharpen sound reasoning as the child becomes successful in playing the game. Not only do children learn new skills with these interactive card games, but it also provides parents with the opportunity to teach their children good sportsmanship and fair play.

"Learning to respect rules, take turns and follow directions - all taught and reinforced during trading card game play - are time-tested and necessary skills for success in school and throughout life," said Dr. Boehm.

There are dozens of games to choose from, so parents should always select subjects and play levels that are age appropriate and aligned with the needs and interest of their children. Some of the most popular trading card games currently on the market that appeal to a variety of audiences include:

--Trading card game purists will recommend Magic: The Gathering(R) for those looking for a game with never-ending possibilities. Released as the first trading card game in 1993 by Wizards of the Coast, it remains the No. 1 trading card game today, with more than 6 million players. Each player represents magic users who have gathered to do battle with their spells (deck of cards) and attempts to beat their opponent with their spells. The player can assemble his or her deck to reflect their mood, style or opponent.

--Neopets(R) Trading Card Game is an entry-level experience for 8-12 year olds and is a simple way to introduce the strategy and fun of trading card games. Based on the on-line world of Neopia (www.neopets.com), players use their favorite Neopets to compete in areas of strength, agility, magic and intelligence.

--Duel Masters(TM) Trading Card Game combines the artwork of some of Japan's finest artists with fast and intense game play that brings alive a dimensional realm of mighty and mysterious civilizations where players can battle and cast spells to break the other player's defense.

--MLB Showdown(TM) combines the fun of collecting sports cards with the strategy of trading card games. Acting as the manager and owner of the team, players can assemble the perfect squad, create starting lineups, and make the calls - from steals, squeeze plays, to going to the bullpen for late-inning relief.

--GI Joe(TM) Trading Card Game, based on the popular action figures, gives the player strategic control of the heroic GI Joe troops as they battle the forces of Cobra. As the general, players can deploy their troops, engage the enemy in one-on-one combat, and then launch an all-out firefight.

--The Star Wars(TM) Trading Card Games hold all the weapons, characters and ships necessary to recreate the intensity and action of the Star Wars movies. Players can recreate lightsaber duels, space battles and ground assaults based on their armies, strategies and plans.

Getting Started:

With most trading card games, you can get started with a two-player game starter set, which includes two decks of trading cards (one for each player), a playing mat and detailed instructions. It also includes special accessories (such as a die or coins) that are unique to the specific game.

As players become more familiar with their trading card game of choice, they can expand on their starter deck by adding cards from expansion or "booster" card sets. Adding these cards will allow players to personalize their decks to reflect their preferences for certain strategies and clever card combinations. With variations in rules and setup, there is simplicity balanced with strategy for all levels of play.

About Wizards of the Coast:

Wizards of the Coast, Inc., a subsidiary of Hasbro, Inc. (NYSE:HAS), is a worldwide leader in the trading card game and tabletop roleplaying game categories, and a leading developer and publisher of game-based entertainment products. The company holds an exclusive patent on trading card games (TCGs) and their method of play and produces the premier trading card game, Magic: The Gathering(R), among many other trading card games and family card and board games. Wizards is also a leading publisher of roleplaying games, such as Dungeons & Dragons(R), and publisher of fantasy series fiction with numerous New York Times best-sellers. For more information, visit the Wizards of the Coast website at www.wizards.com.

Wizards of the Coast, Magic: The Gathering, and Dungeons & Dragons are trademarks of Wizards of the Coast Inc. in the U.S.A. and other countries. (C)2004 Wizards. Duel Masters is a trademark of Wizards/Shogakukan/Mitsui-Kids. G.I. Joe is a registered trademark of Hasbro, Inc. Major League Baseball trademarks and copyrights are used with permission of Major League Baseball Properties, Inc. (C) MLBPA Official Licensee--Major League Baseball Players Association. Neopets, Neopia, and Neopian are U.S. trademarks of NeoPets, Inc. All rights reserved. Used with permission. Star Wars(C) 2004 Lucasfilm Ltd. & (R) or TM where indicated. All rights reserved.