Xeko Mission: China Causes Panda-Monium

NEW YORK, Feb. 11 /PRNewswire/ -- According to most toy retailers, hunting for the newest and most exciting children's products at New York's American International Toy Fair can be like searching for a needle in a haystack. But at the 2008 Toy Fair, the hot new game that's all about keeping the planet cool will be easy to spot due to all the amazing animals leaping and slithering about. Don't be surprised to see a Giant Panda, Snow Leopard, or King Cobra -- stars of the newest Xeko eco-adventure game collection-in the Matter Group booth (#6041) at the Jacob Javits Center in February.

Already stirring up excitement because its release date coincides with the Summer '08 Olympics in Beijing, Xeko Mission: China is the fourth Xeko card game to be introduced in just two years. As with their previous three award-winning sets, Xeko Mission: China stimulates kids' interest in math, science, and nature by combining two things they love: trading card games and animals.

Like the blockbusters Pokemon and Yu-Gi-Oh, Xeko involves collecting trading cards to create a custom library -- or in this case a "Xeko-system" -- and using the cards to match wits against opponents in exciting game play. Instead of monsters and fantasy, Xeko takes its cues from nature and science, casting actual animal species as the heroes and basing game play on fragile ecosystem relationships.

Designed for fun and realism, the number and types of cards in each set match real-world species' populations and bioregion attributes. Eye-popping artwork makes the cards especially fun to play with and collect. Dedicated "to a bright green future," Xeko stays true to its goal of having an environmentally stable world by making the games in an Earth-friendly way. Not only are the cards and packaging made of 100% recycled stock, but all of the printing has been done with eco-friendly inks.

The Xeko Mission: China starter set will come packaged in a beautiful storage box decorated with animals from China's habitats and dragon illustrations that capture the mysteries of ancient Chinese culture.

Matter Group's mission is to foster sustainability by creating and marketing world-class products and media that entertain and inspire people to make a difference. The company's founders, investors, employees and partners believe that doing well should also include doing good. The company's success is measured by their triple-bottom line: profitability, environmental impact, and social contribution.

Every Xeko game features remarkable plant and animal species from one of Earth's 34 biodiversity hotspots, first identified by Dr. Norman Myers and recognized by Conservation International. These hotspots contain 75 percent of the planet's most threatened mammals, birds and amphibians while covering just 2.3 percent of the Earth's surface. An estimated 50 percent of all vascular plants and 42 percent of land vertebrates exist only in these hotspots.

Xeko Mission: China will be available in specialty stores in July, just as the Beijing Olympics will be stirring up interest in the exotic culture and lands of China. The starter set game, which includes 130 cards, an oversized game mat, rule book, play guides and a heavy-duty deck storage box, retails for $19.99. Booster packs are available for $3.99. While younger kids can play and enjoy the game, Xeko is targeted at ages 8-12 years.

For more information on how to play or where to buy Xeko, visit http://www.xeko.com or email questions to info@xeko.com