Hectic – Internet, Drama, etc.

There’s been a lot going around about Hasbro’s alleged use of strongarm lawyers on Urban Taggers… here’s their statement off the Nerf Facebook page –

“We appreciate the opportunity to provide the following statement concerning Hasbro’s investigation into “leaked” IP information regarding its NERF brand products. As with anything, there are two sides to every story. While we cannot comment on the details of any ongoing investigation, Hasbro takes all circumstances of its stolen and leaked IP very seriously and will continue to investigate sources of unauthorized information and products as it relates to its brands.  We would like to clarify one of the inaccuracies that has been reported. While a local Hasbro Australia marketing team did reach out to the Urban Taggers website to engage in promotional activity for which it required its address, it was completely unrelated to the confidential global investigation being conducted on Hasbro’s behalf by independent investigators looking into sources of leaked IP information. Hasbro greatly values and appreciates its fan communities and is very proud of its strong relationships with many bloggers and sites that cover our brands and products.”

That is all I’m going to post on the matter.  Comments are closed, and this is not another forum for people to air grievances.  I’m still a fan of theirs, and will continue to cover their products on this blog.  Hell, it’s how I even got started from writing about blastfires to eventually making it to Toy Fair.

Well hey, free stuff! Here’s a giveaway! Courtesy of Zing Toys

Recently,  I did a review on Zing toys products (scroll down to see it).  Did you like what you saw?  Did you see the potential in the Zing line?  Well, how would you like a chance to win one of those items (or two)… for FREE?   At approx $25 USD, Zing Toys is willing to give away a prize pack! 

Here’s what you do – on Facebook, “Like” their page https://www.facebook.com/ZingToys – and find the announcement for this contest from Foam From Above.  Make sure to check around, including hitting the settings to see comments from EVERYONE.  Comment WITHIN THAT POST, and on April 30, I’ll randomly pick a winner from those posts.

Happy hunting!

Thanks Floppets, a look from C2e2!

Floppet, heard of them?  Awesome little velcro clips, with fantastic designs.  Like The Guild?  They made Guild themed Floppets!  More pics later, but heeeeere’s a teaser.

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Zing Toys on tap – looking at the Air Storm versions! (Zcurve, ZX Hunter Crossbow, Pop Rocketz, Zing Shot)

Heads up!  So once upon a time, I shot some test videos of Zing Toys’s Zcurve Bow, and ZX Hunter Crossbow.  They were pretty cool!  I’ve always been a fan of the original Nerf Bow N Arrow, and even the Big Bad Bow and seeing these things piqued my interest.  In addition, thanks to some fine people at Zing Toys, I was able to get some samples of the rest of the line.  They’ve rebranded Zcurve under the name “Air Storm” with a new color scheme, but same simple awesome functionality.  Let’s have a look:

The original, Zcurve bow.  On the left is the new “Air Storm” version. Approx $19.99

The small arms, Pop Rocketz – $4.99 and Zing Shot – $9.99

ZX Hunter Crossbow! (my fave, cause I love crossbows) – $19.99

Zip Bak Bow

The toys are each banded with a different type of surgical tubing, except for the pop rockets which is a squeezable bladder that launches the rocket when compressed.  Would I count it as large ammo?  Hell yes.  Would I count it as a melee weapon?  Hell yes.  There you go, Call of Duty fans… you have a ballistic knife.  Sort of.

I like the bright orange, and you can kind of see the transparent look of the plastic.  It’s pretty neat, and a bit more interesting than the camo/red blaster lineup they ran after the bright green sets.  Very spacey, but if you got these already you’d be buying the same shooters, just in a new color.  Is that wrong?  Not when the toys are this great.

Enough jibber jabber, I shot some video:

From Zing Toys testing

From Zing Toys testing
From Zing Toys testing
From Zing Toys testing
From Zing Toys testing

Biggest surprise out of the bunch?  The Pop Rocketz.  Did not think those little things would have that kind of power (50′!), but damn they do.  Angled, the Zcurve has hit upwards of 200′, and the smaller Crossbow and Zip Bak are really comfy and perform respectably.    Thankfully, it doesn’t look like the Zcurve toys lost any power, they still feel/shoot the same with these new color jobs. 

Definitely give these a try where ever you can find them.  Target, Wal-Mart, Toys R Us… but don’t look in the blaster aisle!  These were in the same spots you can find Backyard Outdoor Safari, hula hoops, and other toys like that.  My guess is since these are more outdoorsy type toys.  You get three rounds of ammo with each of these, but it’s nice to note that the Zip Bak and Zcurve both shoot the same arrows (called “Zarts”), while the Zing Shot comes with 3 balls, the Pop Rocketz has 3 rockets, and the ZX Hunter has three small suction cup zarts.

Hope this was helpful!  With the “Hunger Games” out now, it looks like there are a whole bunch of new people looking to take up archery.  If you aren’t ready to jump to a proper bow and arrow set, these should definitely be on your radar.  – http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wpUcTC5ev74 – look at how she moves with a bow!  Holy crap!

Take it easy!

Fresh from Nerf’s facebook/youtube, Nerf N-Strike Elite reveal!

Nerf just put up a video a blaster from their upcoming Elite line, debuting Fall 2012!  Say hello to the Nerf N-Strike Elite Retaliator.

 Key points:
– 75 ft.
– New dart style (supposedly)
– Removable/interchangeable stock, barrel; tactical rails, and 12 round mag
– Kinda reminiscent of a Recon, honestly

And there you have it!  One reveal down, a couple more to go.

University of Wisconsin Milwaukee – Humans Vs Zombies!

RANDOM FUN EVENTS MILWAUKEE held a one-day, three-round Humans Vs. Zombies game based off the rule set for Humans Vs Zombies.  It was fan-tastic.  Even better, Razor’s Vapor Blaster folks were nice enough to let us take some giveaways with us!  Yes, we usually have Nerf with us but we needed to test these out under heavy fire conditions.  And man, it was good.  The Vapor line lends itself well at quick reloading, great capacity(50-100 shots per reload), and good ranges out of the box.  Naturally a number of the attendees were from WI or university students, but including myself there was a good showing of people from MANO and TTAGS.

 

 For more photos, check here:
https://picasaweb.google.com/s/c/bin/slideshow.swf

In any event, thanks to Random Fun Events for putting it on and opening up the campus to play like this once more, and to the university population for not batting an eyelash as we rolled around.  Life is full of serious business, a day like this helps break up the routine.  Choose survivors or zombies, so long as you choose Play.

Mind you, these are just photos!  I got lots of video, so expect to see that relatively soon.

A treatise on: Melee weapons – Nerf N-Force (mostly)

Nerf Klaw Hatchet and Thor mini-Hammer

Alright, so over the past few years Nerf has tried to reintroduce an element of roleplay with their N-Force line.  Swords (Thunder/Fury, Marauder, Dagger), an axe, a mace, hatchets, hammers, etc.  Now these pieces tell you to not use on people or animals, but partially it’s probably with a wink and a nod.  Some of my earliest memories of sweeping the floor involve stabbing and swinging the broom like a lance or a staff.

Integrating these into Nerf games and events has always been a tricky proposition.  I’ve been known to go with a “Snake Eyes” loadout (____Splat pistol + Nerf sword) or just run around like a Distraction with two melee weapons.  At the time, the most you were going up against was a speedloader, and if you got your weapon positioned just right and dodged the first shot, you were good to charge.  With nowadays tech, that just wouldn’t work.  Even with stock ammo, chances are you’re running into an N-strike or clipped something else that will get you on the 4th or 5th shot. 

But even past that, I was almost always in the minority at wars choosing to be “That Guy” running headfirst with swords into a phalanx of plusbows firing homemade ammo.  Smartest idea?  No, not at all.  But it bought my team a few extra seconds to get into position because everyone sighted on me, or it was a dart for me and not in the core.  I got stung and welted, sure, but I knew what I was getting into and willing to take the hits I did.

However, now and again I’d run into other people who liked melee, and that’s when the issue got really sticky.  I’ve taken martial arts, sparred, and the key phrase was always “control, control, control.”

On more than one occasion, someone didn’t get this speech.  I’d run into guys pretty much looking to chalk up their next mark in gladiatorial combat, and they’d swing for the fences at people.  I’d see them rear back and treat their N-Force weapons (or in some cases homemade boffers) like baseball bats more than anything.  When I’d go all-melee I might try to position the sword to function as a shield but I always tried to “tag” more than swing at somebody.  Once in awhile, I swung a bit too hard, and therein was the crux of the matter.  If I was doing it, then I noticed everyone else moreso.

The other thing besides the control issue, is it started to feel like it was taking away from the foam shooting aspect I showed up for and felt more “LARP” than anything.  Guys would run at me with swords and shields, I’d shoot them.  Large ammo.  Whatever.  I put the swords down finally and haven’t really picked them up on a regular basis, maybe once in good long while when I find a war that allows melee.  And even then, I bring it along just to make sure if that person swings, I’m not trying to block with my blaster. 

The main point I’m trying to say here is, you never drew a sword unless you intended to use it.  If you’re going to use melee at a game, make sure you’re familiar with what you’re using, and be aware of the safety of others.  Just because you think you’re a ninja doesn’t mean you attack everyone else like they are too.

Safety first!