WizKids

WizKids was founded in 2000 by Jordan Weisman, previously of FASA, to publish Mage Knight. Mage Knight was the first collectible miniatures game. The pieces incorporated a dial in the base that showed each piece's statistics. Those statistics changed as the piece took damage. Early employees joining Jordan in this endevor were his wife Dawne, who led the company's graphic design; his father Mort, who ran international sales; his brother-in-law Ray, who ran domestic sales; and Jenny (Trisko) Berg, previously of Bungie, who was in charge of marketing.

In 2001 the company went from being "virtual" to having its own office in Bellevue, WA. Employees had previously been spread through Washington, Illinois, and Missouri. Mage Knight was selling as fast as it could be made, and the company moved into the hobby's list of 10 largest publishers. The employee count went up to over 30, including Don Gorski, COO; Tom Virgin, CFO; and Martin A. Stever, Executive V.P.

In 2002, the company introduced its most popular game, HeroClix. The staff grew to over 50.

In 2003, the company was sold to Topps.

In 2007 Topps was sold to a private equity group led by Michael Eisner, former CEO of Disney.

In November 2008 Topps closed WizKids on short notice.

In September 2009 WizKids was purchased by NECA.

Awards Received 2010

Origins Award for Best Miniature Figure or Line – Marvel HeroClix Hammer of Thor Expansion, designed by Eric Englehard, Kelly Bonilla, Jake Theis & James Szubski

Awards Received 2007

Origins Award for CCG or Expansion of the Year Pirates: Davy Jones' Curse, designed by Mike Mulvihill

Awards Received 2006

InQuest Fan Award - DC HeroClix: Legacy
Diamond Gem Award - 2005 Product of the Year - Marvel HeroClix: Fantastic Forces

Awards Received 2005

Origins Hall of Fame - Mage Knight
Origins Award - Pirates of the Spanish Main - 2005 Vanguard Award
Hobby Outlook Game of the Year - MechWarrior Age of Destruction
Creative Child Magazine Seal of Excellence - Pirates of the Spanish Main

Awards Received 2004

Origins Award - 2004 Game of the Year - Indy HeroClix
Origins Award - 2004 Best Game Aid or Accessory - Mage Knight 3D Dungeon Tiles
Origins Award - 2004 Best Science Fiction Game Rules - Shadowrun Duels
Origins Award - 2004 Best Science Fiction Miniatures Series - MechWarrior Liao Incursion
Origins Award - 2004 Best Miniatures Terrain or Accessory - Aurora-Class Dropship
Origins Award - 2004 Best Fiction (Short) - Podo and the Magic Shield by Steve Sullivan
GEM Award – 2003 Game Manufacturer of the Year
GEM Award – 2003 Best Game Product of the Year - Marvel HeroClix: Xplosion
Hobby Outlook Award - Best Game of 2004 - Mage Knight
Toy of the Week Award, Playthings Magazine - Pirates of the Spanish Main
Preferred Choice Award, Creative Child Magazine - Marvel HeroClix Universe
Seal of Excellence Award, Creative Child Magazine - MLB SportsClix

Awards Received 2003

Origins Award – 2002 Game of the Year – MechWarrior: Dark Age
Origins Award – 2002 Best Board Game Expansion or Supplement – Marvel HeroClix Clobberin’ Time
Origins Award – 2002 Best Game-Related Fiction Long Form – MechWarrior: Ghost War by Mike Stackpole
Origins Award – 2002 Best Game-Related Fiction Short Form – Enemy Healer, MK Collector’s Guide
Origins Award – 2002 Best Science Fiction or Fantasy Board Game – Marvel HeroClix: Infinity Challenge
Origins Award – 2002 Best Science Fiction or Fantasy Miniature – Marvel HeroClix Sentinel
Origins Award – 2002 Best Science Fiction or Fantasy Figure Miniature Series – MechWarrior: Dark Age
Origins Award – 2002 Best Graphic Design of a Board Game – Mage Knight: Dungeons
Origins Award – 2002 Best Illustration– MechWarrior: Dark Age
GEM Award - 2002 Game Publisher of the Year
GEM Award - 2002 Game Product of the Year - Marvel HeroClix Clobberin' Time
Hobby Company of the Year – 2003 Hobby Outlook Awards
Best Game – 2003 Hobby Outlook Awards – Mage Knight Rebellion
10th Annual Wizard Fan Awards Favorite Comic Merchandise - Marvel HeroClix Clobberin’ Time (as voted on by readers of Wizard Magazine)
Seal of Excellence Award, Creative Child Magazine - Creepy Freaks
Toy Industry Association Best Marketing Campaign 2002 Finalist - MechWarrior: Dark Age
2003 Ernst & Young Pacific Northwest Entrepreneur of the Year Award - Jordan Weisman, Founder & CEO
2003 Diana Jones Award for Excellence in Gaming - Jordan Weisman

Awards Received 2002

Origins Award - Best Science Fiction or Fantasy Miniature 2001 (MK Great Fire Dragon) sculpted by Bob Naismith.
Origins Award - Best Vehicular Miniature 2001 (MK Atlantean War Machine: Fist of Tezla)

Awards Received 2001

Origins Award – Mage Knight Rebellion: 2000 Vanguard Award
GEM Award – Mage Knight Rebellion: 2000 Best Game Product
Inquest Gamer Fan Awards - Mage Knight Lancers: Best Miniatures Product
Hobby Outlook Award – Mage Knight Rebellion: 2000 Games Award of Merit