July 21, 2004

By: Lubor Trombley
Website: http://www.1st-in-games.com

Cranium Inc. makes history, winning the Game of the Year Award three years in a row

Cranium, Inc. today added a cherry to the top of a year sprinkled with success. The maker of the smash-hit game Cranium was awarded the Toy Industry Association's 2003 Game of the Year for Cranium Hullabaloo, The game of tunes, twists, and topsy-turvy fun for kids ages 4 and up.

The honor came during the American International Toy Fair in New York, and is the company's third consecutive Game of the Year win, with Cranium and Cranium Cadoo winning for 2001 and 2002, respectively.

Cranium also announced a 60 percent increase in sales for 2003 and its most award-winning year ever, with nearly 20 awards worldwide. The company's 2003 star performance helped fuel one of the toy industry's only bright spots: the Games/Puzzles category, up 10.9 percent in 2003.

We've had a year of truly amazing milestones, said Richard Tait, Cranium, Inc. cofounder and Grand Poo Bah. When we started Cranium, Inc. in 1998, we launched an entertainment revolution by taking a fresh approach to board games. Six years later, we've cracked the code.

We've got nine games for adults, families, and kids that build on the promise of the original Cranium game: They bring people together, celebrate hidden talents, and give everyone the chance to shine. Along the way, we've built a trusted brand that's celebrated by millions of Craniacs around the globe who are just as passionate as we are about the games we create.

Three is the magic number With Cranium Hullabaloo, Cranium, Inc. breaks the industry record it set last year for most consecutive Game of the Year wins. The high-energy game full of funky music, cool sounds, and all kinds of surprising fun encourages kids to listen carefully and think fast as they jump, twist, wiggle, and giggle in response to Cranium Hullabaloo's friendly voice.

Cranium Hullabaloo makes any time — after school, birthday parties, or even rainy days — something to cheer about.

When we play test Cranium Hullabaloo with children and ask them what they love most about it, they tell us emphatically, 'I won!' With this third Game of the Year win, I'm beginning to understand how they feel, said Whit Alexander, Cranium, Inc. co-founder and Chief Noodler.

The outpouring of support we receive from parents around the world is simply incredible. And now this award: it's amazing! It shows that we've touched on something. Kids, parents, adults all love that moment to shine, and we promise to continue to create games, like Cranium Hullabaloo, that let them celebrate those moments together.

Cranium Hullabaloo was recognized Saturday during the Toy Industry Association Toy of the Year awards ceremony in New York. The Toy of the Year Awards, created in 2000, honor the best toys and games developed by the international toy industry for consumers in the United States.

The TIA's Game of the Year award recognizes the most innovative, interactive, and playful game of the year, and includes board games and CD-ROM, electronic, and card game formats.

Cranium has done something no other company has been able to accomplish in such a short period of time, said Chris Byrne, toy and children's lifestyle expert. They've created a brand that parents and families know they can trust to deliver high-quality, outrageously fun, and incredibly rich games. This company is driving innovation and play value in the game aisle. It's refreshing to see in today's industry.

2003: A year of outrageous success In 2003, Cranium continued to rejuvenate the game aisle with its entire family of games, including Cranium, Cranium Cadoo, Cranium Cariboo, Cranium Hoopla, and two new games: Cranium Hullabaloo and Cranium Conga, The Hilarious 'Guess What I'm Thinking' Game for ages 8 to adult.

Together, the new games received nearly 15 awards — from the Oppenheim Toy Portfolio's Platinum Best Toy award to the National Parenting Center award to Parenting magazine's Toy of the Year award to a third consecutive Toy Industry Association Game of the Year award — along with countless praise from Craniacs everywhere.

Cranium-inspired belly laughs can be heard worldwide, with Cranium games sold during 2003 in 20 countries and 10 languages, and played on every continent in the world — even Antarctica.

Cranium has successfully replicated its secret formula around the world with 12 international awards; the top board game spots in Australia, Canada, and the U.K.; plus Game of the Year in the U.K. and Finland.

Fun for all ages: Cranium kicks off the year with three new games At New York's American International Toy Fair, Cranium Inc. unveiled three new games in 2004: Cranium Turbo Edition, a super-charged version of the smash-hit party game for teens and adults; Cranium Zigity, the outrageous card game of crazy twists for the whole family; and Balloon Lagoon, the four-in-one carnival game for kids ages 5 and up.

About The Author:

Lubor Trombley is a successful author and regular contributor to http://www.1st-in-games.com.  Great games for the entire family for hours of fun or competition. We feature all your favorites.