Greetings from scenic and wintery Bavaria!

I finally managed to get some internet connection during a very busy time.

A lot of things have happened, in just the first day!
Regarding new puzzles, I only managed to discover a neat 2x2x2 modification
from Uwe's distributor, called 4D8.

Other news include us having a 16 square meter booth (HUGE!)
Infinite thanks to Konstantinos Verdes for helping me get some
needed extra chairs and table!

There was even an intense meeting I had with Seven Towns regarding the magics
and the potential (which they had not realised all those years).
But the outcome could be anything, as at moments we were confrontational
while at other moments we were agreeing in many things! LOL
But whatever happens, at least now they know about me and my classification theory.
They will visit our booth the next days, hopefully without a lawyer!
(and no, the 360 was nowhere around to see or to buy).

Finally, there has been a super warm reception of the Cubedron, the FLiP FLiP
and the Krystalledron, and tomorrow seems to be the "day of the deals" with
many various distributors from different countries!

Will update this space as soon as I have more exciting news.




Pantazis

Ooh wow, can't wait to hear more from you!

If you get a chance, could you post some more details about this "4D8" puzzle?

Are you allowed to take photos? I know we all want to "see" what's going on. Also, a sixteen square meter booth!? that's only a little smaller than my bedroom! Lucky. I bet a big booth has been getting you a bit more attention. I hope you get a good deal with a distributor in the US. Shipping time and cost kills me on a lot of puzzles. But, then again, it doesn't really matter with cool puzzles like yours.

After waking Pantazis up at 4am, he returned my call while I was in a class. After a bit of playing phone tag with each other, I finally got a hold of him while he was in the taxi heading over to the fair.

As he did in Hong Kong, he sounded very excited. He's so positive and upbeat about this whole venture that it is hard not to get caught up in his excitement. He's positive that there will be lots of interest in the puzzles that he has created and that would mean that we may see them on the shelves soon! (I'm speculating and thinking postitive thoughts for him)

He told me today he was going to have visits from some members of this forum and a few old friends he's met at previous IPP's. Hopefully we will have lots of pictures to look at soon.

On a side note, he told me the man who called them "nuts" at the last fair showed up at his booth again! This time he didn't use that term, but simply enquired about my where abouts and said thank you. He is either a stalker, or a good luck charm.

I wish I were there to write up better reports and post pictures, but unfortunately the work I don't have much to do got in the way.

Pantazis

Could you upload pics....?

If Germany is anything like HK he'll be too run off his feet to post much until he gets back. I was hoping that Hendrik would post some.

But we surely can wait for some days to see some pictures.
Rome wasn't built in a day either.
It's like waiting for the postman.
After he has come, the tension goes rather quickly.

I got a box from the post man today that I ordered way back in October! I can't find the posting date on it, so I'm not sure if it's that box, or the order that was reshipped! The tension died, but the exitement you could cut with a knife! Now if that quadrascope that was shippped in November would turn up soon I would be very happy indeed!

I hear from my mother-in-law that there are 3 boxes waiting for me. I hope one is for you ... please get excited now, immediately!
(I'll visit there on Feb 14th/15th)

If it is there, I'll be over the moon. Thank you!

Hi guys!

Busy like bubble bees here LOL

The website has been updated with photos: http://www.mindstratpuzzles.com
Videos are ready, but no time to put them on the website, will upload them tonight.

If someone could post the photos here, that would be great as we are always screaming for time!
A lot of things happening, full report when I am back!




Pantazis

Sure thing:

Thanks for the pictures!
Are we gonna be getting the puzzles in the hard packaging - plastic cylinder container (which I like much better) or in soft packaging?

The hard packing as you put it is a display case with a base that has batteries in it. It is so cool, the puzzle turns! I think it is there to stop people from fiddling with it, but at HK I saw people pick it up and shake it Ours are going to be soft packs.

Hmm, I'm in Garmisch right now...

Sounds like a nice event. I'm diggin' the 4D8 and all of your puzzles, of course.

Some photos and videos!

Video of the crystal Krystalledron!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W41-aXyLzhM

Video of the Icosedron!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HitebNMw4Nk

Video of the Cubedron Classic!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rutSinoPpPc

Video of the Cybedron
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qrokcnRnSPU

Photos:

Krystalledron, crystal version:


V-cubes booth in its full glory!


Hendrik came to our booth and showed us some very interesting puzzles, including the sphere in a cage by Tony Fisher!


This guy is the inventor of the K-ball. In this photo, he is holding his latest design.
And of course on the right, there is the Luxembourg connection!


The new 4D8 puzzle. A very cool modification of the 2x2x2 cube.



Quote of the day:

A lady at the inventor spiel-cafe meeting saw the Cubedron and said "Is this Rubik's 360?" LOL
Anyway, I took a photo for demo purposes



I must say, it is indeed a dexterity puzzle. There is a small sphere inside a bigger one, and the tunnels
connecting them must be aligned to help the little marbles go through to their corresponding colored bases.

Behind me in this photo, is Bernhard (from the IPP connection), the founder of this event. His is such a brilliant person!!!




Pantazis

All of those are correct except the manufacturing part.
(the puzzles are made in Singapore)

Also, Berhnard made a very nice comment while speaking on the microphone at the meeting opening.
He said "everyone knows I only like wooden puzzles, but the Cubedron and the Krystalledron made me to like plastic again!"

They were some very beautiful words from one of the best known wooden puzzle expert.




Pantazis

Thanks for the pictures Pantazis. The new Krystal's are nice! Better than I imagined.

Put your phone on a charger!

I just got off the phone with Dr. Pantazis and he sounds even more excited than usual! I can't say a word, but watch this spot for some very exciting news that should be coming within the next week. I've been told the poor man needs to get back to Australia and have a full nights sleep before he can post anything sensible.

I'm anxiously looking forward to read about puzzles old and new, football games, and any other updates he will post upon his return.

I just want to be the first to congratulate Mindstrat Puzzles on another very very successful fair!

So am I this sounds awesome! Awesome pictures and great news! I look forward to hearing everything!

Some more photos!

Will be back in Singapore tomorrow!


Some nice duck going around!



This guard was always outside our booth, such a nice guy, we had many chats!
(I practiced my German after 13 years!!!)



American Classic Toys, this guys owns Ideal!



This guy has never missed an IPP... if you don't know him, too bad!




A new cute twisty puzzle. Sorry Rox, I was only given the demo one
(it is slightly damaged too)



A nice confusing variation of the Mona Lisa puzzle.



The V-cube Van, is better than the Bat-mobile! Trust me on this!



It was 40+ degrees Celsius in Australia, and suddenly I was in minus degrees!!!



(after packing up) We will miss Nuremberg. See you next year Toy Fair!


On a last note, samples of our puzzles will be at the New York Toy Fair (in three days!).
For more details please contact a good puzzle friend David Leschinsky (whose company is Eureka Puzzles and is listed
in the exhibitor list - website http://www.eurekapuzzles.com).




Pantazis