Tag: hasbro

Chicago Area Nerf 2010 – "Just in Case"

It’s about that time –

Once more unto the breach, dear friends! In the Midwest, a good number of folks that Nerf in IL shelved their blasters since Nov/Dec 2009, due to school, weather, weather, and no indoor venue to play. Well, it’s warmer now and a new round of Nerf/foam blaster battles have begun! Minnesota and Wisconsin had their events last weekend, and some of the folks in Chicago just theirs underway as well.

This event didn’t carry the same kind of weight that the usual wars carry. This was conceived in all of two-three weeks, when a fight usually has a date set months in advance to give attendees enough notice. Some of us were getting a little restless but were not able to make the trip up to the MN event that weekend. Snake, one of the Chicago Area Nerfers here took it upon himself to host a small local “warmup” to get off his butt and hopefully indoctrinate some new faces to our little slice of hobby heaven.

He took a different path from some of the past events. He actively banned a lot of specific types of mods and blasters (some homemades, for instance) and even ammo. The basic rules:

“If you don’t like it, don’t show.”
“Run your war how you want to run it.”
“The host has a responsibility to make sure his attendees have a good time.”

The focus was to get back to running around in super close quarters with epic dodging and some sword/shield/axe blocking. Not being paced off at huge distances behind sparse cover with tons of No-Man’s Land. There’s been talk of a power creep in the midwest but that’s a topic for another day. Snake wanted to explore what going back to our roots with short ranges and stock ammo would be like after the previous few fights where this wasn’t the case.

Either way, there was a decent show of people. About 12 people from the surrounding Chicagoland area showed up, some with a few fights already under their belt and a few who haven’t been in a good fight yet. It was a good mix!

I personally had a good time. We were all laughing at numerous points during the day just out of the craziness of the action. The close ranges led to a lot of running and even though Oak Lawn has its own issues with cover the fact we could run and dodge pretty much compensated for that. The blasters of the day varied; the N-Strike line (Raider, Longshot, Longstrike, Recon, Nitefinder, Magstrike, etc.) all saw use in addition to one or two homemades, furyfires, and other off-brand blasters. The N-Force melee weapons also saw some action, coupled with shields. We didn’t use “larger ammo takes out shield” rules, mainly because we forgot, hah.

We were in and out of rounds really quick, too. Last Team Standing, Last One Standing, Capture the Flag (lots of capture the flag), Protect the VIP, and Center Flag Push were all orders on the day along with switching teams every few rounds. It was quick, fast-paced, and only really slowed at lunch or when we needed water. But we were all running, so much for each game. Heck, at one point we even got to use the park/jungle gym, which adds a nice dimension to CtF. If anything, we needed more gametypes to throw in.

It was a good first war for a lot of people, and they say they’ll be back for the next one. As far as being a good introduction for people into this hobby, I’ll say, “Achievement Unlocked.”

See you on the field!

-Vas The Stampede

How do you spell Spring/Summer? N-D-T-L

Word has it that the NDTL tour stops will be announced later this month, but in preparation for that announcement and the coming NDTL events let’s grab a look at some of the current gear

– Furyfire

– Hyperfire and a Strikefire (aka Dart Tag Blaster, this is the original blue version. The pistol was first named the Crossfire.)

– Stormfire w/Capture the Flag Beacon

– New Dart Tag Fast Load Sleeves, and the Dart Tag Vision Gear! (Shown: old grey version. Also sold separately in white, navy, and black)

Lock and Load!

– Vas The Stampede

PRESS RELEASE

Hot off the internet:

HASBRO’S NERF BRAND DOMINATES TEEN SPORTS IN 2010 WITH INTRODUCTION OF ADVANCED N-STRIKE BLASTERS AND MORE

Special Edition NERF N-STRIKE Blasters Clear the Way for Much-Anticipated
N-STRIKE Blaster Launch on 9.9.10

PAWTUCKET, R.I. – February 25, 2010 – Hasbro, Inc.’s (NYSE:HAS) NERF brand continues to provide fans with the ultimate in exciting, high-action gear for competitive play in 2010. To celebrate and lead up to the 9.9.10 launch of the newest top secret N-STRIKE blaster, NERF will be transforming five of its most popular N-STRIKE products into Clear Series Special Edition Blasters featuring clear, deco styling.
“This year, NERF fans will experience great product advancements across all of the NERF segments and we’re especially excited about the introduction of the collectible Clear Series Special Edition Blasters,” said Jonathan Berkowitz, director of global marketing, Hasbro. “This new, unique series of blasters is the perfect way to honor some of our most popular N-STRIKE products and to clear the way for the newest blaster landing on 9.9.10!”
In addition to the brand’s N-STRIKE line advancements, the NERF brand will make waves this year by merging with the hydro-powered action of Hasbro’s SUPER SOAKER line to create NERF SUPER SOAKER water blasters. By combining top elements of both brand’s high-performance blasters, the new NERF SUPER SOAKER line will redefine and accelerate warm weather play this spring. The brand will also be launching a redesigned NERF SPORTS line featuring new product additions specially designed for competitors of all ages providing all the intensity, performance, and innovation that the NERF brand is known for.
Fans can also get in on all the NERF action by following us at, http://www.Facebook.com/NerfNation, http://www.YouTube.com/Nerf, and http://www.Twitter.com/NerfNation. With so many ways to rush the field this year, remember IT’S NERF OR NOTHIN’!

The 2010 N-STRIKE collection includes:

“CLEAR THE WAY FOR 9.9.10”
(Ages 8 years & up /Available: September 9, 2010)
Clear the Way for the newest N-STRIKE blaster coming on 9.9.10! First there was the NERF N-STRIKE VULCAN EBF-25 blaster, 25-dart, belt-fed, and fully automatic. Then the NERF N-STRIKE RAIDER RAPID FIRE CS-35 blaster hit the scene with its new, interchangeable drum magazine able to hold 35 darts. Now, continuing the incredible evolution of NERF blaster technology, the brand has created the most impressive NERF N-STRIKE blaster yet. NERF fans around the world will have to wait until 9.9.10 to see the unveiling of one of the most awesome and exciting blasters released in the NERF brand’s 40 year history!

NERF N-STRIKE Clear Series Special Edition Blasters
To Clear the Way for the latest and greatest NERF N-STRIKE blaster launch on 9.9.10, five of the most popular NERF N-STRIKE blasters in history will be showing fans, and their successors, exactly what they’re made of! Make sure to get your hands on these special edition, clear deco N-STRIKE blasters, including the NERF N-STRIKE RAIDER RAPID FIRE CS-35 blaster, the NERF N-STRIKE RECON CS-6 blaster, the NERF N-STRIKE MAVERICK REV-6 blaster, the NERF N-STRIKE DEPLOY CS-6 blaster, and the NERF N-STRIKE NITE FINDER EX-3 blaster, before the clear disappear! Each sold separately.

The 2010 DART TAG collection includes:

NERF DART TAG VISION GEAR Eyewear Assortment
(Ages 8 years & up/Approximate Retail Price: $9.99/Available: Spring 2010)
Get your head in the game with the NERF DART TAG VISION GEAR eyewear assortment! For the first time, the VISION GEAR eyewear is sold separately, in three unique colors. It’s never been easier to replace or upgrade your eyewear and get back in the game. NERF DART TAG VISION GEAR eyewear offers 99.9% protection against UVA and UVB rays, as well as eye protection during DART TAG competition. The NERF DART TAG VISION GEAR assortment includes one pair of VISION GEAR eyewear (Navy Blue, White, or Charcoal Grey) and 16 DART TAG darts, for use with NERF DART TAG blasters. Each sold separately.

NERF DART TAG Fast Load Sleeve Accessory
(Ages 8 years & up/Approximate Retail Price: $9.99/Available: Spring 2010)
Reload faster with the NERF DART TAG Fast Load Sleeve accessory. This flexible, comfortable sleeve allows you to store extra DART TAG darts right at your fingertips giving you a competitive edge over your opponent. Comes complete with one DART TAG Fast Load Sleeve and 20 DART TAG darts for use with NERF DART TAG blasters.

NERF DART TAG HYPERFIRE One-Player Set
(Ages 8 years & up/Approximate Retail Price: $12.99/Available: Spring 2010)
For the first time ever, NERF is offering a stand-alone DART TAG blaster for true DART TAG athletes. The HYPERFIRE One-Player Set includes an all new look for the popular HYPERFIRE blaster plus one pair of super cool translucent VISION GEAR eyewear and 10 DART TAG darts for use with all NERF DART TAG blasters.

The 2010 NERF SPORTS collection includes:

NERF WEATHER BLITZ Flag Football Set
(Ages 8 years & up/Approximate Retail Price: $19.99/Available: Spring 2010)
Welcome to the next generation of flag football, NERF style! Forget fumbling with traditional “flags” and footballs that can’t keep up with your game. The NERF WEATHER BLITZ Flag Football Set comes complete with a NERF WEATHER BLITZ junior football and 16 clips which act as “flags,” offering 4-on-4 play in almost any condition. The new NERF Flag Football clip system is convenient and easy to use, letting you and your teammates stay focused on the winning play.

NERF CURVE PITCH Baseball Set
(Ages 8 years & up/Approximate Retail Price: $9.99/Available: Spring 2010)
Want to throw trick pitches like the pros? Make this season a homerun with the NERF CURVE PITCH Baseball Set. A unique felt patch located on one side of this specially designed “curve” ball creates a drag effect that, depending on how it’s held and thrown, will assimilate a specific pitch. Complete with a bat featuring a rubberized grip, the NERF CURVE PITCH Baseball Set is a fun way to help knock your stats out of the park.

NERF WEATHER BLITZ Flyer Disk
(Ages 8 years & up/Approximate Retail Price: $5.99/Available: Spring 2010)
Keep your friends on their toes and engage in fast, competitive field play with the new NERF WEATHER BLITZ Flyer Disk. Featuring NERF WEATHER BLITZ technology for enhanced grip, this weather-resistant competitive flying disk helps you hold on to your game and take the lead in all outdoor conditions. Weighing 175 grams and with a 10 ¾-inch diameter, this official sized competitive flying disk not only allows for better catching and throwing, but is built tough by NERF for everything from casual play to hard-core competition.

NERFOOP PRO Basketball Set
(Ages 8 years & up/Approximate Retail Price: $19.99/Available: Spring 2010)
Take casual “over the door” basketball play to the next level with the new NERF NERFOOP PRO Basketball Set. Because the backboard of the NERFOOP PRO Basketball Set is designed to hang over almost any door, you can enjoy a game of NERF basketball with your friends or solo, anywhere at anytime! The backboard’s ultra durable rim invites endless slam dunks and a new basketball design means you can dribble the ball on almost any surface, from college dorm room carpet to your cubicle’s floor. The NERFOOP PRO Basketball Set comes with everything you need to amp up your indoor basketball game!

NERF VORTEX MEGA HOWLER Football
(Ages 5 years & up/ Approximate Retail Price: $8.99/Available: Now)
Go long! The NERF VORTEX MEGA HOWLER football is a sleek, tailed football perfect for that long distance pass. When this high-flying football is thrown it makes a cool whistling sound as it sails through the air. The NERF VORTEX MEGA HOWLER football features finger grips for easy throwing and catching. VORTEX – THE FARTHEST FLYING FOOTBALLS!

Hasbro, Inc. (NYSE:HAS) is a worldwide leader in children’s and family leisure time products and services with a rich portfolio of brands and entertainment properties that provides some of the highest quality and most recognizable play and recreational experiences in the world. As a brand-driven, consumer-focused global company, Hasbro brings to market a range of toys, games and licensed products, from traditional to high-tech and digital, under such powerful brand names as TRANSFORMERS, PLAYSKOOL, TONKA, MILTON BRADLEY, PARKER BROTHERS, CRANIUM and WIZARDS OF THE COAST. Come see how we inspire play through our brands at http://www.hasbro.com. © 2010 Hasbro, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

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Thanks to the nice folks who passed this along!

– Stampede!

http://www.facebook.com/NerfNation?ref=nf

A Year Under the Barrel, Nerf 2009-2010

Down to it, 2009 was a good year for Nerf blasters and a growing Nerf enthusiast community. I’ve had a Nerf blaster as far back as I could remember, probably my ballzooka or blastfire being the first blasters in the armory. In 2005, I joined a site called Nerfhaven which focused on discussion and resources to modify and improve the performance of Nerf blasters as well as organize wars. Since then the internet made the world smaller and there has just been a much larger open channel of communication.

First off, let’s look at the blasters. While off-brand competitors have had their own share of new releases, Hasbro and Nerf haven’t exactly been sitting on their laurels. The N-Strike line has been jamming along, with the Raider CS-35 being released September 09, 2009. It joined the ranks of the Longshot, Secret Strike Pocket Blaster, Buzzsaw, Nitefinder Ex-3, Maverick, Firefly, Recon, Eliminators (REFLEX IX-1), Element/Disk Shot and Switch Shot already released. The N-Strike line prides itself on the tactical rail system that allows attachments on its blasters. So far there’s been a tactical light kit, a red-dot sight, scope set, and most recently a bandolier for all lines that holds blasters, ammo, and even melee weapons.

Yes, melee weapons! The N-Force line started this year with the release of the Thunder Fury and Shadow Fury swords, followed by the Marauder longsword and Warlock battle axe . It’s safe to assume that the N-Force brand is Nerf’s hand-to-hand weapon line which is a long way from the 90’s-era Nerf fencing sets.

Then there’s the Dart Tag line. It is the more sport-focused line of Nerf, using velcro-headed darts in order to assist in seeing hits. Where N-Strike’s streamlines and sonic darts just hit and bounce, the Dart Tag line uses velcro vests to open up different game types based on points and adding one more level to knowing when a player is hit. The Furyfire isn’t the only blaster in the Dart Tag line. There’s the Hyperfire (a repainted Dart Tag Blaster), the Strikefire (originally released as the Crossfire), and the Stormfire. There’s also the targeting set, which is an off-shoot of the Nerf Tech Target system, only this time packaged with an Eliminator.

Naturally, all these different brands means different ammo. In addition to normal micro suction darts, there are micro sonic, whistler, tagger, and streamline darts available, along with ammo boxes to hold everything.

Need a peek? Make sure to check out http://hasbro.com/nerf for a look at their online store to see what’s up!

In the meantime:

In my opinion probably the largest-scale development was the birth of the Nerf Dart Tag League (NDTL). In June 2009 the Nerf Dart Tag League was an event that coincided with ever stop on the 2009 Mt. Dew Action Sport Tour as part of their Festival Village. Here, people were allowed a look at a new release for Fall 2009: the Nerf Fury Fire blaster and Capture the Flag systems. There was also a larger competition, where teams of four participated in rounds of capture the flag (using the new electronic flag sets) in two different age groups (8-12, 13-17) to become regional champs, travel to Orlando, Florida, and compete against the other regional champs to become the first-ever NDTL National Champions for $25,000 at the final Mt. Dew Action Sport Tour stop. Being outside of both age groups it was a shame I couldn’t throw my own hat into the ring for $25,000. However, I was able to participate in a non-tournament scrimmage or two, and that was a lot of fun to get out there with normal, stock blasters. It was different to the usual Nerf cup of coffee I have with modified blasters and it was great. No technological advantages, just you, the dart, the same blaster as everyone else, and whatever skills you brought to the table.
Since then, Nerf’s on twitter, facebook, and even youtube:

http://twitter.com/nerfnation
http://www.facebook.com/NerfNation
http://www.youtube.com/user/nerf

So much to pump and blast, so little time. While the blaster modification internet community continues to grow East, West, Midwest, and beyond the stock blasters from Nerf and the other brands are where we all start and where the fun begins.

Ready, Aim, FOAM!

-VasTheStampede