Future strengthens new kids magazine imprint with second official title

Future |

08/09/04 - Future Publishing has today revealed the second title to launch from its brand-new kids magazine studio. The Official Duel Masters Magazine will launch on September 23rd 2004, following Future Publishing's licensing of the Duel Masters property from Hasbro Properties Group.

As Duel Masters is currently Japan's most popular toy (according to Weekly Toy News 02/08/04) and set to take the UK by storm, the new magazine is seen as a perfect fit for the burgeoning kids studio, run by Cavan Scott and his team of 'big kids.' Duel Masters was created in Japan by Shogakukan/Mitsui Kids and Sho Pro and is a new boys entertainment property that features a card trading game, comic books, video games and an animated TV programme.

Launched in the UK in March, the Duel Masters phenomenon is set to grow further as the animated TV show, currently running on Cartoon Network's Toonami strand will launch on UK terrestrial channel Five from September 11th 2004 ensuring Duel Masters will be on TV in the UK every day from September.

Official Duel Masters Magazine will feature expert trading card tips and advice, TV episode guides, comic strips, videogame and DVD reviews, alongside toy news and comes complete with exclusive covermounted Duel Masters merchandise.

Official Duel Masters Magazine Editor Cavan Scott said:

"We are delighted to be working with Hasbro Properties Group and Wizards of the Coast on Official Duel Masters Magazine. Duel Masters is the top selling trading card game (NPD Epos Jan - June 2004) and as our second kids launch this helps us mark out our stand in this competitive sector.

"Make no mistakes; Duel Masters is going to be absolutely massive, blasting into the UK as it has in Japan and the USA. Anyone who saw the kids queueing to play the Game Boy Advance version of the card game at the recent GameStars Live! Event will understand why this is the hottest toy around. They couldn't get enough of it. As more and more children discover the various incarnations of Duel Masters, they need a one-stop shop for all their Duel Masters needs. From expert tips and tactics to exclusive interviews, Official Duel Masters Magazine will have it all."

The first issue of Official Duel Masters Magazine contains an action-packed 10-page comic, alongside an exclusive preview of the new Duel Masters PlayStation 2 game and interview with the game's development team. Readers will also have the chance to win Duel Masters toys, a Game Boy Advance SP and a PlayStation 2 console with the latest Duel Masters games.

Official Duel Masters Magazine launches on September 23rd, with a cover price of £3.99. The magazine is 68 pages and comes with two free gifts - a Rampage Of The Superwarriors booster pack of Duel Masters trading cards (sold separately at £2.49) and a 16-page A1 poster magazine featuring exclusive info on the new Duel Masters video games from Atari.

Ends

About Future Publishing

Future Publishing is part of The Future Network plc, which was founded in the UK in 1985. Today, The Future Network publishes over 90 special-interest consumer magazines worldwide, is the world's leading publisher of games magazines and is the fifth largest magazine publisher in the UK. Future employs around 1,000 people in offices in the UK, US, Italy and France. Over 100 international editions of Future's magazines are also published in 32 other countries across the world. The company is listed on the London Stock Exchange (symbol FNET).

About Hasbro Properties Group

The Hasbro Properties Group (HPG), the intellectual property development arm of Hasbro, Inc., (NYSE:HAS), translates one of the industry's richest portfolios of brands into a world of fun and excitement for children and adults globally. Through a host of publishing, lifestyle and entertainment platforms, HPG is able to surround fans worldwide with consumer products that expand Hasbro's core brands beyond the toy and game aisle, creating rich lifestyle experiences.

DUEL MASTERS is a trademark of Wizards/Shogakukan/Mitsui-Kids.

®2004 Wizards/ Shogakukan/Mitsui-Kids/Sho Pro.

For more information please contact:

Will Guyatt, Communications, on 01225 822 517