Bandai America Launches First Ever Consumer Testing Program
For New Jagun Fighters Toy Line
Toy Company Seeks Gaming Enthusiasts to Participate in Beta Testers Program in Conjunction With Launch of New Action Figure Brand With Game Play Activity
CYPRESS, CA, July 8, 2003 - Backed by its reputation for innovation and proven success in the action figure category, Bandai America Incorporated today announced its nationwide search for boys ages 8-12 years old to participate in the exclusive Jagun Fighters Beta Testers Program. Set to debut at retail in August 2003, Jagun Fighters is a unique action figure brand combined with game play activity that sets opponents against one another as they battle with intricately crafted game pieces called Power Eye Stones.
The first program of its kind for Bandai America, a select group of boys ages 8-12 years old who are gaming enthusiasts will be recruited via regional sampling events and at anime conventions. The group will be given advance samples of the Power Eye Stones to take home and battle with friends. After a four-week period, the participants will be asked to submit their thoughts on the product line and game play activity. Each will receive the ultimate Jagun Fighters prize package, and may see their ideas translated into products for future collections.
"We expect Jagun Fighters to attract game players and fans of all ages as a result of the unique twist on the traditional action figure line, and the innovative look of the Power Eye Stones," said Bill Beebe, senior vice president of sales and marketing, Bandai America Inc. "As a result, our beta testers will be trendsetters among their friends as they spread the adoption of this hot new game and toy line."
Featuring a mysterious look, the heart of the Jagun Fighters game lies in the Power Eye Stones. Game play can be experienced on the basic level using five stones per player. The object is to send all your opponents' stones to the graveyard before you in turn are defeated. At the advanced game level, each player utilizes ten Power Eye Stones each, as well as the 6.5-inch action figures that have a spinning eye feature on their chest that determines the fatality of the attack.
Power Eye Stones come in a starter pack of five, with a trading card and game mat, as well as booster packs of three-one of which is a hidden, rare fighter. The line also features 3-inch collectible figures that come with an exclusive gold Power Eye Stone, and detailed and articulated 6.5-inch action figures that come with a trading card. Products range in price from $2.99 to $9.99 (SRP), and will be sold at specialty and major retailers nationwide.
Bandai America is supporting the property with a comprehensive grassroots marketing campaign that includes the beta testers program, as well as exclusive giveaways, regional sampling, game demos at anime conventions, in-store demos, and the JagunFighters.com website, created by Juxt Interactive. Utilizing Macromedia's Flash MX as the development technology, Juxt immerses the user into the world of Jagun Fighters, engaging the visitor with a rich interactive storytelling environment combining sound, character animation, product education, and game play.
"This was a great opportunity for Juxt to launch the next big collectible toy brand by leveraging the Internet rather than a television show or movie to promote it," said Juxt Interactive CEO, Steve Wages. "We applaud Bandai America's vision that allowed us to create an environmental site that was focused on a fictional narrative
to position the product as opposed to a simple product catalog."
About Jagun Fighters
More than two thousand years ago, an ancient evil descended upon the land. Distraught, the people of the village sought guidance from their Emperor. Recalling the legend of the Jagun Warriors, the Emperor summoned the mythical guardians who soon appeared before him with five glowing stones. The Warriors explained that the stones contained the ultimate power necessary to conquer the evil. Leaving their fate to the "Power of The Eye," the villagers defeated the invading evil that had plagued their land. This legend has been translated today into collectible action figures and Power Eye Stones, recreating the deeds from centuries past.
About Bandai America
Bandai America Inc. is a subsidiary of Bandai Co. Ltd., the third largest toy company in the world, with 27 subsidiaries in 8 countries worldwide. Global interests include toys and children's entertainment, video game software, multimedia, music, full-length feature films, vending machines, trading cards, candies and licensed apparel.
Bandai America Inc. is celebrating its 25th anniversary as the master toy licensee of some of the most popular properties and brands in children's toys and entertainment, including the Power Rangers, Gundam, Digimon, Strawberry Shortcake and Hello Kitty product lines. Bandai America is headquartered in Cypress, California and company information is available at
Bandai.com.
