WizKids announced ToonClix, a new collectible miniatures game targeted at the 6-12 demographic, at the GAMA Trade Show in Las Vegas this week.  WizKids is hoping that ToonClix will both introduce kids to the fun of CMGs and appeal to an older demographic. ToonClix will feature figures based on cartoon characters from the libraries of Warner Bros. (Looney Tunes), the Cartoon Network, Hanna Barbera, and the Kids' WB.  With only 36 figures in the first set ToonClix should be easy to collect and players will find enough to play a game in every pack.  The goal of the game is to get your character to the highest state of happiness, and each figure will come with cards that can be used to create a diorama-like background.

 

ToonClix will be released in both the mass-market and in the core hobby market but the core will receive a number of advantages including a four-month lead on the initial release, 12 exclusive nostalgia figures not available in the mass, and an exclusive Buy-It-By-the-Brick promotion (see 'WizKids Plans HeroClix Promotion') to drive customers to brick and mortar hobby stores.

 

The way in which the figures are collated into channel-specific products should also help the hobby stores.  The hobby will receive Core Set 1A, which will have 18 figures, in October and Core Set 1B, with the other 18 figures, in January, while the one mass-market release will be in January and will only include 24 of the first series' 36 figures.  WizKids is planning a TV ad campaign in early 2007 that will include spots on the Cartoon Network and the Kids' WB.