McDonald’s has served billions of burgers over the years, but its latest Quarter Pounder might be the first one you would want to put on display.
Collectibles & Toys
OPINION: Hasbro Keeps Losing the People Who Made it Great as Dungeons & Dragons Creative Director Resigns
I had previously written about Hasbro and its ability to kill golden gooses. No sooner had I finished that article than it looks like they’ve done so once more, this time to one of their most lucrative franchises – Dungeons & Dragons.
Per his own post on X, Chrisopher Perkins has announced that he will be retiring from his role as Creative Director at Wizards of the Coast, the subset of Hasbro Inc. that is responsible for the sprawling Dungeons & Dragons IP.
OPINION: What’s going on with Hasbro? It’s a Toy Company That Doesn’t Want to Make Toys
Per Hasbro’s CEO Chris Cocks, they have announced that as of 2025 they will be moving away from physical toys while focusing more on digital play (i.e. video games). Since that time we’ve paradoxically seen one of the largest toymakers in the world begin to license out their properties to other toymakers to produce.
I’m not the CEO of a multi-million dollar company, so it may not be my place to say, but as a toy collector I feel that this is a mis-step on the part of Hasbro and its CEO. At the same time, unfortunately I can understand why they feel forced to go this route, and it has to do with both the mistakes they have made as well as those of their partners.
Opinion: Tariffs, Toys, And Retail Joys: A Cold, Hard Look At The Reality Of Today’s “Chynah Syndrome”
So yeah, we’re raising massive tariff’s on Chinese manufactured goods, and yeah, a lot of them have to do with toys and park merch (and popcorn buckets) and it means such things will cost more to get to these shores. But DOES that obligate a huge price rise where your...
Xbox Handheld Teased Yet Again—But Will There Still Be an Xbox to Carry It?
In a recent interview, Phil Spencer, head of Xbox, teased that the customers may see new hardware in “different form factors” in 2025. In other words, they’re looking into creating a new Xbox handheld gaming device. While some fans are excited by the prospect of a Game Pass-powered handheld, others in the industry are asking a tougher question:
Toy Prices Set to Skyrocket as US and Chinese Tariffs Could Double Costs for Hasbro, Mattel and More
Toys might be one of the items skyrocketing in price very soon due to tariffs, and companies like Hasbro are facing a real doomsday scenario. The word of the day lately is “tariffs”. If you are one of the few who still haven’t heard of them, be aware that they are...
Butterbeer Season Calls Harry Potter Fans to Celebrate With New Products and Events
Warner Bros. and Universal Studios have launched its second annual Butterbeer Season—a Harry Potter celebration themed after the iconic wizarding drink. Here’s the breakdown of what fans can expect this year.
Universal Orlando Introduces New Interactive Harry Potter Wands for Wizarding World Attractions
Universal Orlando has announced the Second Generation interactive Wands for the Wizarding World of Harry Potter. These wands will feature new spells and exclusive adventures.
Astartes II Trailer Drops, Warhammer 40k Fans Cheer as Beloved Fan Animation Gets Official Sequel
Games Workshop just released an official teaser trailer for Astartes II and the 40k fans are hyped! And they should be—this announcement is a huge win for fans of the series. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sbgYaeerXhg READ: James Gunn Defends Superman Footage Against...
Hasbro Pulls the Plug on Hasbro Pulse Asia After Disastrous Rollout Amid Backlash Over Pricing and Policies
In a surprise move reminiscent of Target’s attempt to enter the Canadian market only to beat a hasty retreat a year later, toymaker Hasbro announced on January 9, 2025 that its online toy store, Habro Pulse, will no longer serve the Asian market.
Wicked Dolls with Obscene Website URL Back on Store Shelves at Universal Orlando
During a recent trip to Universal Orlando Resort’s new Wicked merchandise store, That Park Place discovered that the theme park is still selling misprinted merchandise that originally directed children to a graphic website.
Mattel Sued Over ‘Wicked’ Merchandise Misprint That Sent Kids to Obscene Website
Toy company Mattel is facing a lawsuit for its controversial Wicked toy line after a misprinted link on the back of a box directed children to an obscene graphic adult website.
‘Wicked’ Merchandise Mistake Sends Children to Graphic, Unintended Website
The toy line for the Universal film adaptation of the hit Broadway musical Wicked has released in stores. The packaging for Wicked movie dolls (products aimed at children) includes a website URL for "Wicked." However, this isn't the website for the big budget...