Solarpop Distribution is excited to announce that it has been awarded South African distribution of Funko’s new board game imprint, Funko Games, commencing with the recently announced Funkoverse line of games in Q4 2019.

Funkoverse was announced at Comic Con 2019 and featured prominently at Gen Con 2019, America’s premiere table top gaming event, receiving astounding acclaim and interest, promising to be the hottest gaming release for 2019!The first wave of Funkoverse includes six collectible strategy board games based on some of the world’s most beloved pop culture icons: Harry Potter, Rick & Morty, DC Comics and The Golden Girls. The games incorporate Pop! into the flagship game with brand new 3-inch figurines. The strategic game offers innovative gameplay and a fresh experience for both new and seasoned gamers.

“We are excited to be partnering with Funko on this exciting new venture,” says Eugene Vermeulen, Solarpop’s Director of Product & Marketing. “Funkoverse is a fantastic new line that we are eager to get into the hands of as many Funko and gaming fans as possible, and plans are well underway to see Funkoverse titles available nationwide this year. We are looking forward to what this new partnership with Funko games will bring, as Funkoverse is merely the tip of the iceberg for this new gaming label and, looking at the quality product they are launching with, we have extremely high hopes for their future catalogue.”

“It’s thrilling to finally share with fans the debut of Funkoverse, the first pop culture infused board game from Funko Games,” says Brian Mariotti, Chief Executive Officer of Funko. “The games division underscores our commitment in creating the most innovative and relevant products out on the marketplace. Our employees take great pride in continually discovering new ways to reach the fan in everyone.”

Solarpop will be providing ongoing marketing support and social media awareness for Funkoverse including sneak peaks at local conventions, as well as dedicated support for competitive and casual organised play. Launch events are also being planned, so stay tuned for further details!Funkoverse products are already available for pre-order via local stores through Solarpop Distribution. An exact local launch date will be announced shortly.

About Solarpop Distribution (Pty) Ltd

Solarpop is South Africa’s top and preferred table top gaming distribution service. With the company slogan of GO PLAY, Solarpop’s vision is to spread the passion for bringing communities of all sizes together via the universal joy of quality play experiences. Our reputation is built on strong partnerships, excellent service, and a legacy of passionate market-building and the sourcing of products that put us a cut above the rest of the market.

About Funko, Inc.

Headquartered in Everett, Washington, Funko is a leading pop culture consumer products company. Funko designs, sources and distributes licensed pop culture products across multiple categories, including vinyl figures, action toys, plush, games, apparel, housewares and accessories for consumers who seek tangible ways to connect with their favorite pop culture brands and characters.

Are you the CATAN champ in your board game group? Or do you wish to face off against some opponents a little more challenging than your cousins at the annual Christmas family get together? Well this is your opportunity to see your board game ambitions take you to Germany and face-off against the best in the world!

Solarpop Distribution and the Unplug Yourself initiative is proud to announce the CATAN National Championship 2018 taking place on the 7th of July 2018 at Gauteng’s premier board gaming event, Timeless Board Games.

Come and compete for the prestige and chance to represent South Africa at the CATAN World Championship 2018. On the 24th and 25th of November 2018, the best CATAN players from all over the world will meet in Cologne, Germany at the "Theaterhaus Köln", host to the CATAN World Championship. More than 60 participants from 40 countries are expected to attend this year, including participants from Japan, Australia, Malaysia and Peru and of course South Africa. Besides the grand prize of a trip to Germany to represent South Africa at the CATAN World Championship, there are also many other great prizes to be won, sponsored by Solarpop Distribution.

CATAN, first published in Germany in 1995, is regarded as one of the board games that ushered in the dawn of modern board gaming and lead the revolution that has brought board games into the mainstream. With such a great gaming heritage and fan base behind the brand that is CATAN, it seemed only natural to host the South African National Championship at Gauteng's largest board gaming event, Timeless Board Games. With monthly gaming gatherings catering to entrenched board gamers and newcomers to the hobby alike, Timeless Board Games has been instrumental in seeing the growth of board games as a hobby and pastime in Gauteng. This partnership is sure to see the largest CATAN National Championship to date and we are looking forward to a great day of competitive board game play.  

Solarpop Distribution is proud to announce that we will be at Hobby-X Jo’burg from the 1st to the 4th of March 2018.

Hobby-X was launched in South Africa in 1998 and continues to be as popular as ever, drawing thousands of visitors to every show! Hobby-X showcase and promotes the best hobby brands and products in an innovative marketing approach that targets both trade and consumers. Many of the visitors to Hobby-X have developed a passion for hobbies and crafts and are hungry for ideas and information on new products and experiences.

Solarpop’s mission at Hobby-X is to bring the joys of board gaming and learning through play to the South African public. Our 80sqm demo area, manned by our team of enthusiastic and knowledgeable ‘Game Guides’ will cater to all levels of interest. From families looking at board gaming as a pastime both young and old can enjoy together, to the entrenched hobby gamer looking for the latest challenge and board gaming experience the ever-growing community has on offer.

Solarpop will have on display a curated range of games and products ideal for consumers wanting to start on their journey into the board game hobby, as well as a great reference for trade partners looking to add board games as a revenue stream into their business model.

Solarpop will also showcase the latest in magnetic toy’s in the form of Magformers. Magformers was Amazon’s #1 selling toy in 2015 and #1 Educational toy in 2016, with a multitude of awards and nominations under its belt with a TOTY 2018 nomination in two categories being the most recent. Magformers was also featured in Toy Talk 2017 hosted by Nikki Bush and on the ‘best toys of the year’ segment hosted by Azania Mosaka on 702. https://omny.fm/…/the-best-of-azania-…/best-toys-of-the-year

Solarpop is looking forward to Hobby-X 2018 and values the opportunity to showcase board gaming and learning through play as a hobby pastime the entire family can enjoy together.