CD-ROM Roundup is a regular KidScreen feature that profiles CD-ROMs aimed at children anywhere from preschool to late teen that will be hitting retail stores in the coming months. By Andrea Haman (416-408-2300 (phone), 416-408-0870 (fax) or haman@brunico.com)

Name, Publisher & Developer: Major League Baseball CybrCards, CybrCard L.P., New York, New York

Release Date & Markets: June U.S., Canada

Storyline: This series of interactive trading cards consists of 12 titles, each featuring a Major League Baseball player, from Ken Griffey Jr. to Mike Piazza. Baseball fans can check out statistics, video clips and press archives, test their baseball trivia knowledge and create their own customized trading cards. The line is licensed by Major League Baseball Properties and the Major League Players Association.

Platforms: Windows 95, Windows 3.1, Macintosh

Target Audience: baseball fans of all ages

Promotion:

-for consumers, the company is running a design your own CybrCard trading card contest, with US$10,000 to be awarded to the grand-prize winner and US$1,000 each to 11 second-place finalists

-for retailers, the company is giving away free T-shirts to retailers who mail photos of their CybrCard displays, and 11 winners will receive US$1,000 toward an in-store appearance by a local baseball player

-print advertising in trading card and hobby magazines

-exhibiting at the All-Star Fan Fest in Cleveland, Ohio, from July 4 to 8

-12-minute spot on the QVC shopping channel

-public relations

Partial List of Retail Outlets & Estimated Street Price (US$): trading card, sports memorabilia and software outlets; $20 to $25 each

Name, Publisher & Developer : I Can Be An Animal Doctor; Cloud 9 Interactive, Marina Del Rey, California

Release Date & Markets: June; U.S., Canada, and is working on international

distribution

Storyline: Players join Rufus, Katie and Addie as they discover veterinary medicine and animal care and learn about endangered species from all over the world. This is the second title in the company’s Learning Adventure series, which is designed to help kids explore what they want to be when they grow up.

Platforms: Windows 95, Windows 3.1, Macintosh

Target Audience: 6 to 10

Promotion:

-coupons delivered in Pillsbury Totino’s Pizza boxes in August

-coupons distributed through Carol Wright’s direct-mail program during the summer

-in-box rebates of US$5 off any two products

Partial List of Retail Outlets & Estimated Street Price (US$): Learning Smith, Zany Brainy, Babbage’s, Best Buy, CompUSA, Computer City; $29.95

Name, Publisher & Developer: Marvel Super Hero Print Studio, Cloud 9 Interactive, Marina Del Rey, California

Release Date & Markets: June U.S., Canada, and is exploring international distribution opportunities

Storyline: Kids can decorate their clothing and bedroom with iron-on decals, wall-size posters and other creations using more than 25 templates of the X-Men and other Marvel characters. As well, players can import their own photographs, and download extra characters, props and sound effects from the company’s Web site (www.cloud9int.com).

Platforms: Windows 95, Windows 3.1, Macintosh

Target Audience: 8-plus

Promotion:

-sweepstakes to win a visit from Spider-Man on your birthday, which is open to kids who order the product demo

-in-box rebates of US$5 off any two products

Partial List of Retail Outlets & Estimated Street Price (US$): Learning Smith, Zany Brainy, Babbage’s, Best Buy, CompUSA, Computer City; $29.95