The spread of COVID-19 has created some unexpected side effects for the toy industry, particularly in the sales of games and puzzles.
For Texas-based Goliath Games, the timing of Virus — released in January as “the contagiously fun card game” — came just on the cusp of the global pandemic, which has driven sales for the game to grow by 10 times in recent weeks. Now, the company is tapping into the unexpected success to raise funds that will support the research needed to defeat the novel coronavirus and stop the COVID-19 pandemic.
Goliath Games will give all proceeds from all sales of Virus during the month of April to the United Nations Foundation’s COVID-19 Solidarity Response Fund for the World Health Organization (WHO).
“When we launched Virus, the concept was a fun family card game where players attempt to be the first one to get four healthy organs while blocking their competitors from achieving the same goal,” says Goliath’s Director of Marketing Mary Higbe. “Now, it’s hard to believe that we are living with a new reality, and we want to do want we can to contribute to our global community in helping to stop the spread of COVID-19.”
Higbe recently discussed the marketing of Virus on the Power Kid Podcast, hosted by Adventure Media and Events, publishers of the Toy Book.
Additionally, Goliath Games is supporting organizations including the Children’s Medical Center Plano, Children’s Medical Center Dallas, and Highland Springs Senior Living Community with in-kind donations of puzzles and games.
“As our community continues to shelter in place to help flatten the curve, we hope puzzles and games are a way to strengthen bonds and ease the anxiety, and we look forward to continuing to give in multiple ways during this crisis,” Higbe says.
The Toy Book continues to monitor the impact of the COVID-19 situation on the toy industry and adjacent businesses. Click here to visit our special content hub, updated daily. For a look at which companies are going above and beyond when it comes to doing good, click here.
