Panini America Contracts A51 to Develop New Game and Website for NHL Adrenalyn Trading Cards

October 1, 2010 — In March 2010, The National Hockey League Players’ Association (NHLPA) and National Hockey League (NHL) issued The Panini Group a multi-year trading card license. Panini has since begun production on NHL Adrenalyn XL trading cards and an accompanying board game.

With the growing success and following for NBA and NFL Adrenalyn XL’s Trading Card board games and online game adaptations, A51 has begun developing a similar multi–user online card game for NHL Adrenalyn. As an extension of collecting, each physical Adrenalyn XL card has a 12–digit code, that when entered online, is redeemed and registered to a user’s account, building their online card collection for game play.

Following the model of the existing NBA and NFL Adrenalyn XL games, there will be two modes of game play — a classic game mode and a more challenging, professional mode. The classic mode will follow the basic rules of the board game, where each user simply chooses one card until all cards are uncovered. NHL Adrenalyn XL’s professional mode will follow a more realistic, strategic style of hockey, where users can decide between passing the puck or skating with it.

Built using SmartFoxServer, the NHL Adrenalyn XL online card game for Panini America is due out in January 2011. A NHL card trading room will launch shortly after. Players will be able to negotiate exchanges and trade virtual cards online.

An Adrenalyn XL online forum is also currently being developed, which will provide a safe and fun online environment for Adrenalyn XL fans to debate the games, ask questions to a Panini representative, and discuss potential trades. The Forum will be moderated by A51’s Adrenalyn XL customer support representative.

About Adrenalyn XL

Adrenalyn XL is the official trading card game of the NBA and NFL. Based on the the popular boardgames, the online game offers a fast-paced, real-time, multi-player experience, including an interactive forum and a platform for online card trading. Experience Adrenalyn XL online at http://paniniadrenalyn.com.

About Panini America

Panini is the world leader in officially licensed collectables and is the leading multi-national publisher of comics, children’s magazines and Manga. Panini America already holds a sports license for NBA and NFL trading cards. The National Hockey League Players’ Association (NHLPA) and NHL license is the third major sports license that The Panini Group has secured. http://paniniamerica.net

About A51

A51 Integrated is a boutique design and development agency from Toronto, Canada, focused on immersive casual gaming and supporting products including web development and social media marketing. A51 takes pride in creating quality, accountable digital experiences and establishing and maintaining strong, transparent relationships with their clients.

Media Contact

Sue Timmins
Director of Operations, A51 Integrated
107 Atlantic Avenue, Suite 305
Toronto, Ontario M6K 1Y2
416-703-2300 ext.224
stimmins@a51integrated.com