Wild Planet to Release Woody’s Run-Around Roundup RFID Educational Game in May

Woody’s Run-Around Roundup, featuring the gang from Disney/Pixar’s Toy Story, follows Wild Planet’s successful listen-think-move format and promotes physical and mental exercise.  It can be played indoors or out, solo or in teams, and does not require the use of a computer or television.

Woody (atop his horse Bullseye) is the electronic hand-held tagger in the game and his Toy Story co-stars Buzz Lightyear, Jesse, Hamm and Rex are targets.  Players listen for Woody to call out clues about different characters, then run to and tag the corresponding targets.

A microchip embedded in the tagger uses Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) to recognize the targets.  When Woody is placed over the correct character, the circuit is complete and players advance.  If players tag an incorrect target, Woody will repeat the call-out and encourage the players to try again.

This non-traditional use of RFID allows the game to be played at varying degrees of physical difficulty as the targets can be spread out across short or long distances and placed high or low.  Farther targets at different heights result in more running, bending, reaching and stretching.

Woody’s Run-Around Roundup gives kids a mental workout as well.  As the game progresses, the call-outs become more challenging.   In early levels Woody calls out a name or the first letter of a name (R is for Rex).  Once kids master names and letters, the game adds in colors and character traits (Who wears a white spacesuit?  Who is a yodeling cowgirl?).

In addition to the main game, Woody’s Run-Around Roundup also features a sequence-building memory game, a hide-and-seek treasure hunt, and multi-player modes.  Each game requires physical exertion that aids in the development of large and small muscle groups while improving coordination and motor skills.  The sharing and listening aspects of the game practice positive social behaviors.

Recommended for 1-6 players, ages 3 and up, Woody’s Run-Around Roundup is an ideal game for families to play together as it exercises the bodies and minds of multiple generations. Set to be released mid-May of 2010, the game is expected to retail for $25.