This month, Portal Games is beginning its “Retailer Support Program” with an opportunity for participating stores to receive the new First Martians game two weeks before the official release.

Portal hopes that the new program will help the company develop a community of fans for its games by driving them to brick-and-mortar retail stores.  The program uses a combination of gaming events supported by “In-Store Event Kits” as well as exclusive add-ons that will be available only to participating retailers through “Game Support Kits.”  In-Store Event Kits will include prizes and exclusive content for one of Portal’s games, while Game Support Kits will offer extra tokens and other promo items free of charge to retailers who order a full case of the supported game.

In addition, participating retailers will have an opportunity to receive new releases two weeks before the official release date through Portal’s new “Early Launch Program.”  Retailers can join the new program at no charge.

The first new title that will be supported by the Early Launch Program will be the upcoming app-supported cooperative exploration game First Martians (see “‘First Martians’ Digitally Enhanced Exploration Game” and “‘Detective,’ ‘Alien Artifacts,’ More ‘First Martians’ Details”).  Retailers who join the program and order the First Martians Early Launch Kit in August will receive their kit by September 20, two weeks before the general release date of October 4.  The kit includes five copies of First Martians plus a free demo copy of the game for in-store use, as well as a First Martians poster to advertise the game.  Players who purchase the game from a participating retailer will also receive an exclusive bonus mission that can be accessed through the game’s free supporting app.  The bonus mission will only be available for two weeks after the game’s launch.

Each month after this first offering, Portal will focus on a different game title.  The first three months will include:

The Cry Havoc Game Support Kit in September, which will include four sets of promo cards and a Cry Havoc poster with each purchase of a four-game case pack.

The Imperial Settlers In-Store Event Kit in October, that includes 10 cards featuring new artwork, a new set of wooden pieces, and four new player boards, as well as an Imperial Settlers poster.  MSRP is $15.00 for each kit.

The Alien Artifacts Early Launch Kit for November, offering a free demo copy and exclusive alternate art cards along with five copies of the new Alien Artifacts game (see “Four New Titles From Portal Games”).