Wizards of the Coast Announces Plans for DUEL MASTERS Tournaments

Wizards of the Coast, a subsidiary of Hasbro, Inc. (NYSE: HAS), announced today the creation of a tournament program for its DUEL MASTERS(TM) Trading Card Game, recently introduced in the U.S. Beginning April 16, American players will get to compete for top billing and prizes playing Japan's hottest game. In Japan, where DUEL MASTERS has been the #1 ranked toy/game for much of the past year, there are nearly 800 DUEL MASTERS tournaments held there monthly.

Starting April 16, tournament organizers from around the nation will hold DCI sanctioned DUEL MASTERS tournaments where players can begin to earn foil promo cards and build their DCI ranking and rating. The DCI standardizes rules for play and tournament reporting procedures so players know what to expect when they attend tournaments. DCI sanctioning also allows players to build ratings and rankings, giving them local prestige and eligibility for future premier tournaments.

"DUEL MASTERS has quickly caught on in the U.S. and we're excited to be able to offer the fast-growing community of DUEL MASTERS players official tournament play," commented Chris Galvin, vice president of Wizards of the Coast's Organized Play division. "Wizards has led the way in organized play for trading card games beginning with Magic: The Gathering(R), which boasts one of the most established competitions in the trading card game world. The DUEL MASTERS tournament program will give players and retailers a way to get involved with DUEL MASTERS at the grassroots level. We see DUEL MASTERS as much more than a game - it's a lifestyle."

In addition to the fun, camaraderie and excitement of tournament play, participants will receive prizes that include tournament exclusive foil promo-cards, among them the first Evolution cards to be released in English.

Information on tournament locations, dates and registration requirements can be found at www.duelmasters.com. DUEL MASTERS Tournament Organizer Retail kits are available. For information on hosting a tournament call Wizards of the Coast Customer Service at 1-800-324-6496.

Included in the DUEL MASTERS two-player starter set is the D-MAX Membership Offer. D-MAX, is the inside source for everything that's new and cool in the DUEL MASTERS universe. Members of D-MAX, receive cool benefits including a personal D-MAX membership card, exclusive access to the D-MAX section of the DUEL MASTERS web site, fun DUEL MASTERS promotional items, advance notice of expansion desks, tips and strategies for game play and a DCI number to track tournament play and monitor player ranking at www.duelmasters.com.

DUEL MASTERS was jointly developed by Wizards of the Coast and Shogakukan, Inc., and Mitsui & Co., Ltd in Japan. DUEL MASTERS game-play is fast and intense. Players do battle with fantastic creatures that hail from five distinct civilizations. Each creature has unique powers and characteristics that enhance strategic play. Players start with a 40-card deck, laying five cards in front of them to serve as "shields" and holding five cards with which to begin the battle. They take turns casting cards in an attempt to break through all five of their opponent's shields and win the game.

Wizards of the Coast publishes DUEL MASTERS in a two-player starter game ($9.99 MSRP) and booster packs ($3.49 MSRP). Kids can learn how to play DUEL MASTERS in several ways: online, at www.duelmasters.com, at their local hobby and game retailers, many of whom are planning to host DUEL MASTERS events, and through a 15-city mall tour hosted by Wizards of the Coast.

Source: Wizards of the Coast Inc.
Date: April 12, 2004

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