WizKids Games

WizKids Games' company logo WizKids Games, often shortened to WizKids, began as an American company based in Seattle, Washington. They initially gained recognition in the gaming world for their creation of collectible miniatures wargames. Jordan Weisman established the company in July of 2000, with the aim of simplifying traditional miniature games by removing the need for complicated charts and extensive rulebooks. His main focus was on developing games that were both accessible in price and ready to play immediately.

Mage Knight: Rebellion, WizKids' inaugural product, was released globally on November 1, 2000. The game allowed players to concentrate on the enjoyment of miniatures gaming through a more streamlined and faster-paced system, eliminating the need for referencing tables, tracking numbers, and assembling and painting miniatures.

Since then, WizKids has launched numerous successful game systems, including HeroClix, which features characters from the DC, Marvel, and independent comic universes; MechWarrior, based on the science fiction BattleTech universe; Pirates!, which introduced both the constructable strategy game (CSG) and PocketModel (a WizKids trademark) categories; and the Star Wars PocketModel TCG trading card game, designed to combine WizKids' CSG heritage with the traditional card-playing mechanics of TCGs.

In July 2003, WizKids was acquired by Topps Company, a manufacturer of sports cards, becoming a wholly owned subsidiary. With the backing of Topps, WizKids continued its work to develop new games, supported by organized play events at conventions and registered retail locations, also known as local game shops (LGS), across the world. These events provided a space for players to gather and participate in organized play and tournaments.

Between 2007 and 2008, Topps/WizKids produced the Star Wars PocketModel TCG trading card game, which was set in the Star Wars universe, as part of Topps' Star Wars franchise license. Mike Elliott and Ethan Pasternack were the designers of the game.

WizKids Games' Star Wars PocketModels TCG brand logo On November 10, 2008, Topps shut down all WizKids operations and discontinued its brand lines, including the Star Wars PocketModel TCG, following Topps' acquisition by Michael Eisner's Tornante Company and Madison Dearborn Partners in 2007.

In 2009, NECA's offer to purchase the licenses for the former WizKids company's brand lines was accepted by Topps, with the exception of Star Wars PocketModel TCG. Subsequently, WizKids/NECA had a booth at Gen Con Indy, an annual four-day gaming convention held in Indianapolis, Indiana, signaling the company's change in ownership.

NECA officially announced its acquisition of the WizKids properties, including the PocketModel trademark, on September 14, 2009. However, the Star Wars brand line was not mentioned, and NECA declared its intention to continue the PocketModel gaming product category. Due to Topps holding the Star Wars product license and WizKids/NECA owning the PocketModel trademark, it is unlikely that either company will produce any future iterations of the Star Wars PocketModel trading card game. This situation bears similarities to the end of the Star Wars Customizable Card Game (CCG) by Decipher, Inc.

Currently, WizKids/NECA is producing HeroClix, a superhero-themed miniatures game with dial bases, and a Star Trek-themed miniatures game is planned for release. Pirates! PocketModels is the only PocketModel game that WizKids/NECA has announced it will continue, in connection with a Disney franchise.