Playroom Entertainment Philippines

[Titus]

Just this afternoon, quite by chance thanks to my wife, I met the owners of a relatively new company called Kinder Toys Enterprises, which is the Philippine distributor of Playroom Entertainment, a game publisher that specializes in children’s games, though they have a few heavier (though still light and short) euro games. Their games are designed by the likes of Reiner Knizia, Reinhard Staupe, Uwe Rosenberg, and Michael Schacht. They publish the Killer Bunnies series of games and, strangely enough, also have a Cthulhu word game called Unspeakable Words. One of their games, Golden Deuce, actually says on the back of the box that it's based on the ancient game of Choi Dai Di, known as Pusoy Dos in the Philippines. Check out their website at http://www.playrooment.com. Kinder Toys is listed as a distributor. The Playroom Entertainment Philippines website is at http://playroomphilippines.multiply.com.

The owners, Je Ching Wu and Alem Ang, are educators. Je works for Xavier School and Alem used to teach there (he resigned to focus on the business fulltime). They have made contact with other educators and educational enrichment programs like Queena Lee’s Galileo, which is incorporating some of their games in their modules. They have also talked to Gerald and Josef of GameCrab and have consigned some of their games there. They want to advocate tabletop gaming as a valuable family activity and educational tool for kids.

I told them about our community of hobbyists and enthusiasts here and invited them to our regular gaming meets. They are very enthusiastic and want to meet and play with us. I also told them of our desire to organize a convention and they are very interested to participate. And I of course also told them about Tabletop Wars and invited them to sign up and participate in our discussions, and also about Boardgamegeek.

One of the positive things they mentioned was that Playroom Entertainment accepts game design submissions, and they would be most happy to act as liaison with the publisher should anyone here wish to submit a design.

Their games are very affordable, most of which are priced from P480 to P980 with a couple above that but below P2000, with standard high euro game quality components. Most of the games are small card games for kids of ages 5 and up.

They don’t have a store or a retail outlet yet as they are still deciding how best to market their games. For now they are focusing on bringing their games to schools and selling directly to customers. If you’re interested in their games, their contact info is on their website.

Right now they have a stall at the bazaar in The Fort Tent until December 23, and I encourage you to check out their games, talk to them, and tell them I sent you.

[Brel]

This is good news!  Another local company which focuses on/distributes games!    I was just at the Fort this afternoon.  Should've read this much earlier so I could've visited their stall. 

Check out their product list here.

[Titus]

This is good news!  Another local company which focuses on/distributes games!    I was just at the Fort this afternoon.  Should've read this much earlier so I could've visited their stall. 

Actually, Brel, you read this soon after I posted it so you could not have read it sooner.

I'm interested in the last two games on their list, Little Italy and Portobello Market, which have generally positive reviews on the Geek. I was actually tempted to buy one right there as a show of support for their business.

They were also very kind enough to lend me two demo copies of Poison and Dead Man's Treasure, both Reiner Knizia card games. They said they had not read the rules yet and therefore could not demo them. They're willing to have me learn them and teach them. They're tired of reading so many rulebooks because they had to be able to demo and teach all their games at the bazaar. If you visit their stall, they'll show you their demo copies and even tell you how the game is played. I give them props for that.

[viscoos]

I work in Xavier School so I  personally know Je 
If ever you need to buy anything from her tell me, I can help out.

Ive played Sitting Ducks Gallery
Its a card game where you have to save your ducks from the other players and shoot the other player's ducks. Its a fun filler game, I think its simpler thatn guillotine 


also I think Gamecrab sells Playroom Entertainment games.

[[GCGM]lilmonster]

yup we have PLAYROOM ENT GAMES and SELL them as well -GAMECRAB

[Brel]

Just visited their stall at the NBC Tent (The Fort).  Got the chance to talk to Ms. Je Ching Wu as well.  She is a nice lady who believes in the hobby game business and the reality that we must truly go out there in order to reach people & promote the games.

I've also invited her to Game Crab tomorrow and the OGM this January 2009.  But she can't attend this Saturday's Game Crab event because she needs to man their stall.  That was the first time I saw (live) maybe a dozen of games of similar titles piled up in columns.  Usually, we only see one to three games in other local hobby shops.  But here, they really have tons of stocks!  Other Playroom Entertainment games that I am also interested with are:

Killer Bunnies and the Quest for the Magic Carrot

Reiner Knizia's Poision
(which is about to be re-themed to Baker's Dozen)

Baker's Dozen

Little Italy

Portobello Market

Bull In a China Shop

Sitting Ducks Gallery

We've tried Killer Bunnies and the Quest for the Magic Carrot before.  It's like a CCG but lighter and more luck-driven.  We enjoyed it for what it is.  FYI, there are many expansions out already for this game.  I am not sure if Playroom Entertainment Philippines carries the title as I've not seen it in their stall (and I forgot to ask).  I am sure it will gather some interest if anybody can try playing it. 

I also invite everyone to their stall at the Fort NBC Tent and pick up a game or two.  Prices of their games starts from PHP 475 to PHP 1,900.  Nice for Christmas gifts!   

If you're not done with your Christmas Shopping, the bazaar is an ideal place.  Aside from clothes, there are some unique items to be found there as well.  Please note that there is a PHP 50 entrance fee (w/ raffle) and good for two days of shopping (if you need to go back the next day  ).

You can also go to Game Crab Cafe as they sell these games too! 

[viscoos]

That's Knizia himself on the cover of poison

[maskmanjoe]

That's Knizia himself on the cover of poison

ooh so sinister I truly hope we see more stores willing to go bring what we normally have a lot of difficulty trying to acquire. Way to go Playroom!

[Titus]

I'm seriously thinking of picking up a copy of Portobello Market. It's the closest thing they got to a gamer's game, but it's short and could be a good gateway game. Playroom also has Ilium, another Knizia with an archaeology theme, but I'm not sure if they'll bring it in.

Little Italy also looks like fun and has a great theme.

[viscoos]

I was able to speak with Je earlier and she confirmed that she and her family will go to the OGM tomorow!!!! HEPHEP HORRSY!

And I think she will also be picking up her games tomorow, I do not know what prior deals you had with her but she said to remind you guys to bring the Playroom Ent games tomoro!

I hope Titus and Thomas get to read this... please acknowledge if you do

[ChineezPnoy]

Titus alredy reminded me to bring them last time.

I didn't list down what ppl borrowed from her bag coz dat task was just thrust upon me last minute 

[defygravity]

Hi Guys!

It's Alem here.  Thanks for inviting us to the games today.  We really had fun.  Thanks also for helping us promote our games.

Please feel free to get in touch with us if you're interested in buying any of our games as we're giving generous discounts to members of Tabletop Wars.

I'm looking forward to joining you in your future gatherings and learn more new games.

Salamat!

[maskmanjoe]

Hi Alem, we certainly hope to keep promoting and playing Playroom games in the various TW meets. It was fun playing Sitting Ducks with you kanina in the Jan OGM. Your presence in the local market is a definite boost in expanding the hobby and we do hope you keep bringing in more titles We also hope you can drop by the OGMs in the future. Till next!

[Brel]

Please feel free to get in touch with us if you're interested in buying any of our games as we're giving generous discounts to members of Tabletop Wars.

Wow a big thanks to you guys for that Alem!   

Would you happen to also carry "Killer Bunnies" pala?

[ChineezPnoy]

I'd recommend HARE & TORTOISE over KILLER BUNNIES, if u wanna stick w/ d rabbit theme.

Played that a few times w/ my gaming group in Irvine, California b4. 
Eventho this is a simple gateway game it still involved some planning.

A simple game thats still a great filler for:

1> our host who was in his late 40's & a seasoned poker player;
2> his French-American wife
3> his 15(?) year old kid who plays soccer goalie in school
4> another married guy in his early 40's who's an avid gamer;
5> an IT guy in his early 30's;
6> Me
7> & guest(s) that we have every now & then.

Sad thing is I haven't kept tabs w/ them sinz I got back in mid-'05 

At least I'll remember their faces if ever our paths crosses again in d future