Wizards of the Coast to shut stores

Wizards of the Coast Inc., the publisher of "Dungeons & Dragons," said it plans to close its approximately 80 retail stores in the next two months to focus on game design.

The Renton-based company, which is owned by Hasbro Inc., operates eight stores in the Puget Sound area. (Note: The number of local stores was misstated when this article was originally published.)

The company said Sunday that it retained Gordon Brothers Group LLC to help close the stores during the next 60 days. The locations to be closed include The Game Keeper stores.

Sales at the stores fell in 2001 and 2002, according to Hasbro's most recent annual report. Revenue from its retail segment, which represents Wizards of the Coast operations, dropped about 4 percent to $48.98 million in 2002. The segment posted an operating loss of $19.87 million that year.

Wizards of the Coast is known for its trading-card games, including "Magic: The Gathering" and games based on "Star Wars" and "The Simpsons." Peter Adkison, a graduate of Walla Walla College, started the company in 1990 while working for The Boeing Co. In May 1999, the company acquired The Game Keeper Inc. chain of game shops. About four months later, Hasbro bought Wizards of the Coast for $325 million.

The Renton company employs about 850 people. Three years ago it laid off 100 employees because of weakening demand for the Pokemon card game.

Wizards of the Coast -- which was the exclusive North American manufacturer, distributor and marketer of Pokemon trading cards until September -- said yesterday that it had settled its lawsuit with Pokemon USA Inc., The Pokemon Co., Nintendo of America Inc. and two Pokemon USA employees. The company filed the lawsuit in October, alleging patent infringement, breach of contract and misappropriation of trade secrets, among other claims.

In a statement, Wizards of the Coast said the parties "have agreed to resolve their differences amicably." Terms weren't disclosed.

A spokeswomen for Wizards of the Coast did not return phone calls seeking comment.

Wizards of the Coast has stores at eight local shopping centers. They are at Bellevue Square, Crossroads Shopping Center, Everett Mall, Kitsap Mall, Northgate Mall, SeaTac Mall, South Hill Mall and Westfield Shoppingtown Southcenter.