WizKids Games WizKids Games — or WizKids , Inc . — was originally an American Seattle - based company that first made its mark in the game industry producing collectible miniatures wargames . Founded in July 2000 , the company ' s goal was to develop a format that made it easy to begin playing traditional miniature games by eliminating the need for cumbersome charts and source books . He focused his efforts on creating games that were both affordable and playable right out of the box . WizKids ’ first release , " Mage Knight : Rebellion " , launched worldwide November 1 , 2000 . Without needing tables to reference , numbers to track , and miniatures to be assembled and painted , players could now focus on the fun of miniatures gaming by using a simpler and faster - playing system . WizKids released many hit game systems since , including " HeroClix " of the DC , Marvel and Indy comic universes , " MechWarrior " from the science - fiction genre BattleTech universe , " Pirates ! " that launched both the constructable strategy game ( CSG ) and PocketModel ( trademarked by WizKids ) gaming categories , and the " Star Wars PocketModel TCG " trading card game that was produced to combine WizKids ’ CSG legacy with the classic card play of TCGs . WizKids became a wholly owned subsidiary of the sports - card manufacturer Topps Company in July 2003 . With Topps ' support , WizKids continued to develop new games supported with organized play at conventions and registered retail venues — also referred to as local game shops ( LGS ) — worldwide , and provided a forum for players to meet together to arrange to play in events and tournaments . Topps / WizKids manufactured the " Star Wars PocketModel TCG " trading card game , based on the Star Wars universe , between 2007 and 2008 under the Topps umbrella of the Star Wars franchise license . The game was designed by Mike Elliott and Ethan Pasternack . Topps closed down all WizKids operations and brand lines ( including the " Star Wars PocketModel TCG " ) on November 10 , 2008 , after having been acquired by Michael Eisner ' s Tornante Company and Madison Dearborn Partners in 2007 . In 2009 , Topps accepted the bid offered by NECA to buy the licenses to continue producing the brand lines of the former WizKids company — except " Star Wars PocketModel TCG " . Following that , a booth was occupied by WizKids / NECA at Gen Con Indy , an annual four - day gaming convention in Indianapolis , Indiana , thus establishing that the company was under new ownership . On September 14 , 2009 , NECA officially announced their acquisition of the WizKids properties , including the PocketModel trademark — but without mention of the Star Wars brand line — and declared its intent in continuing that category of gaming products . Since Topps holds the Star Wars product license and WizKids / NECA holds the PocketModel trademark , it is unlikely that either company will be producing any further " Star Wars PocketModel " trading card games . This situation is similar to the demise of the " Star Wars " Customizable Card Game ( CCG ) by Decipher , Inc . WizKids / NECA currently produces the superhero - themed dial base miniatures game , " HeroClix " , and an upcoming " " - themed miniatures game . So far , the only PocketModel game WizKids / NECA has announced it would continue is the " Pirates ! PocketModels " brand , in connection to a Disney franchise . < ref name = WK / NECA > http : / / wizkidsgames . com / Gen Con Indy Booth List < / ref >