June 2011

TIF Launches “Play Connects” Grant Program

The Toy Industry Foundation (TIF) and the Toy Industry Association (TIA) have launched a new grant program, Play Connects.

This grant program will provide up to three $10,000 grants for local charities that are nominated by members of the Toy Industry Association (TIA). Only 501c(3) organizations nominated by TIA members who are in good standing are eligible for these annual grants.

Full and associate TIA members can nominate local charities by visiting the Foundation’s website and following the links for Play Connects to complete the required forms. The nominations must be received before September 15,and winners will be announced December 15. The winners will be selected by the Program Grants Committee made up of the TIF Board of Trustees.

Check Out This Video of TIF Spreading Smiles

Check out this video that showcases all the smiles spread because of the Toy Industry Foundation (TIF) in 2010. Donations from Toy Bank supporters, corporate patrons, Leaders Circle members, and charity partners helped more than 550,000 children this past year.

Wii U: A New Console for Nintendo

Nintendo unveiled its new console, Wii U, at the E3 Expo. The Wii U console includes a controller with a 6.2–inch screen, creating an entirely new video gaming experience.

Some of the controller’s features include an accelerometer and a gyroscope, a rumble feature, an inward-facing camera, a microphone, and speakers. By adding these features to the controller’s classic buttons, the console can appeal to both casual and dedicated video game players.

Majesco Entertainment Announces Lineup at E3 2011

Majesco Entertainment announced its upcoming video game lineup at the Electronic Entertainment Expo in Los Angeles, which was held June 7-9. Some of the highlights included:

For Nintendo DS and 3DS:

Cooking Mama 4: Kitchen Magic – Mama will return to the kitchen this fall with all new recipes and surprises in this popular game series.

Camping Mama: Outdoor Adventures – Mama expands her skills in the wilderness in this Nintendo game for girls and boys.

The Hidden – Use the Nintendo 3DS camera to search through real-world environments in this reality ghost-hunting experience.

Face Racers: Photo Finish – Use photos of your face, via the Nintendo 3DS camera, to customize a ride in this personalized arcade racing game.

Pet Zombies – Create and control a personal pet zombie!

Kick Off Summer Reading with WordGirl

“WordGirl’s Ludicrously Literate Library Week,” a special weeklong programming event airing July 11-15 on PBS Kids Go!, will have the beloved heroine, picked as this year’s “Ambassador of Summer Reading,” pitted against various vocabulary villains.

Scholastic Media, a division of Scholastic Inc., announced that in support of this five-day television festival celebrating reading and books, a new section will open on PBSKIDSGO.org where fans can answer trivia questions to unlock a secret spaceship with loads of exclusive content.

This is the second time that WordGirl is serving as the national Ambassador of Summer Reading. The special weeklong event will kick off PBS Kids’ continuing programming that promotes summer reading.

WordGirl is an animated series that helps children build their vocabularies. For descriptions of the new episodes, or for more information, click here.

Microsoft at E3 2011: A Focus on Kinect

Kinect for Xbox 360 became the fastest-selling consumer electronics device in history when it debuted in 2010. Now, as Microsoft announced its 2011 E3 lineup, it is clear that Kinect games will be the focus of the company’s video game development. Some of the highlights include:

Kinect: Disneyland Adventures – The first product of a partnership between Microsoft and Disney, this game will take players through the Magic Kingdom park with the added sense of reality from the motion-based sensors of Kinect.

Sesame Street: Once Upon a Monster – This storybook game features cooperative play for the whole family through levels filled with life lessons.

Kinect Star Wars – Players can physically experience Jedi training and battles with their very own lightsaber and Force mind abilities.

Kinect Sports: Season 2 – This sequel to last year’s hit features American football, golf, baseball, winter skiing, darts, and tennis.

Dance Central 2 – The party is back with this sequel featuring all-new routines and multiplayer experiences.

For a full list of new games for Microsoft’s Xbox, click here.

Bringing Back Captain Action

Captain Action is making a comeback this October. Round 2, LLC and Captain Action Enterprises have enlisted Joe Jusko to design the packaging of toys in the new Captain Action line.

Jusko, the current cover artist on Dynamite’s Warlord of Mars series, was picked to maintain the authentic comic book feel of the packaging by developing a new illustration for the lead character. In addition to producing numerous covers over his 35-year career, Jusko was also a big fan of Captain Action as a child in the late 60s.

Captain Action is a 12-inch action figure who has the ability to transform into various comic book and pop culture icons by changing into different costumes. The new Captain Action toys, produced by Round 2, LLC, will feature a Captain Action figure and costume sets for Marvel comic book heroes Captain America and Spider-Man.

The new line will debut at New York Comic Con, to be held October 13-16.

PlayStation to Launch New Gaming System and 3-D Display

Later this year, Sony will premiere the PlayStation Vita, which will redefine the portable gaming world with an inventive new platform for a heightened game experience.

The device will feature a 5-inch multitouch OLED as the front display and will also incorporate a unique multitouch pad on the back. This technology allow users to interact with motions that were previously not available, such as grabbing, pushing, pulling, and tracing finger motions. The Vita will also be equipped with two analog sticks, enabling for a wider range of game genres. Two versions of the PlayStation Vita will be available for sale: the Wi-Fi model ($249) and the 3G Wi-Fi model ($299).

Additionally, this fall, the new PlayStation 3D Display will be available at all major retailers. The display is a 24-inch, full HD LCD screen that will give PlayStation users full access to the three-dimensional realm of entertainment. There will be a 3-D Display bundle, including the 3-D Display, 3-D glasses, an HDMI cable, and the Resistance 3 game, available for $499. The 3-D glasses will also be sold separately for $69.99.

Recess Monkey’s “Flying” Circus

It may seem like a classic “secret identity” plot line that is found in many stories—three elementary school teachers who also are recording artists—however teachers Jack Forman, Drew Holloway, and Daron Henry really do make up the children’s musical group Recess Monkey. The trio is releasing Flying, an album chocked full of songs with superhero flair.

Featuring titles such as “Day Job,” “Sidekick,” and “Bravest Kid in the World,” the CD focuses on how everyday people can become superheroes. Musical combos such as a ukulele paired with a trombone give this album a real super sound. The 14-song CD is targeted to ages 3 to 8 and will release June 21. The CD is being distributed by Burnside Distribution Corporation.

Star Trek Franchise Expands

For the first time ever, gamers will be able to play the roles of Captain Kirk and Spock in the latest Star Trek video game, Star Trek . Cooperative role-playing allows players to work together to stop a legendary enemy race bent on conquering the galaxy.

The original story line is being written by BAFTA award winner Marianne Krawczyk (God of War), in collaboration with the writer/producers of the new Star Trek films, Bob Orci and Alex Kurtzman. Digital Extremes is heading the development of Star Trek, and Paramount Digital Entertainment will be publishing the game. Fans in Los Angeles will be able to catch a sneak preview of the game at the Electronic Entertainment Expo (June 7 – 9).