FRED Distribution, Inc. is your source for Eagle Games, Face2Face Games, Gryphon Games and other popular titles in the wide world of designer games. Designer games (sometimes called “Euro” games), are distinguishable from widely recognizable mass-marketed games like Monopoly, because they have characteristics that set them apart. They tend to require more strategic thinking; they often have a theme that sets them in a particular historical or event context; they have high quality art and components; and they rely less on luck than on the players' evolving skill at mastering the game.

That's why FRED Games, both Eagle, Gryphon and now the newly acquired Face2Face lines, lend themselves so well to game groups, social gatherings, libraries, classrooms, retirement facilities and all manner of environments where fun and life-long learning go hand-in-hand.

Game enthusiasts know FRED's Eagle Games because of classics such as "Through the Ages", "Defenders of the Realm" with its growing collection of expansions, "Railways of the World", "Age of Steam", Brass, Age of Empires III, Attack!, Conquest of the Empire, and Bootleggers. These games have multiple-page rule booklets, heavier strategy and may take up to several hours to play. The theme is interwoven into the game play so that each game is unique, creating a world you inhabit as long as the game lasts…that’s why we often refer to the Eagle Games as “History in a Box”. When you finish with one of these games, you feel as though you've really accomplished something!

Gryphon’s line up of games was created to appeal to game players looking for lighter weight strategy games. They can be played in family, classroom or library settings or between “heavier” games at a long game-playing session. Gryphon’s titles have short and simple rules that can be read and explained in 5 minutes or less and played in 20 - 40 minutes. The artwork and production values are high and the game play is snappy and innovative. The themes and settings are fun, interesting and educational (check out our Knowledge in a Box).

Most of the Gryphon titles fall into our 4 different Series:

• The Bookshelf Series
• The Tin Box Series
• The 2-Player Series
• The Family Series

We also publish the heralded Face 2 Face Games, which include several classics by the well-known American designer Sid Sackson. These titles include: "I’m the Boss", "Can’t Stop" and "Buyword" ...with more titles to come. We are very excited about publishing additional Sid Sackson games over the next few years…he was a prolific designed during his lifetime and we want to share his creativity.

FRED'S GOALS

The goal of FRED Distribution, Inc. is to encourage people to visit game stores, play games, learn through games and purchase games. The FRED Team believes that the game store is the cornerstone of the industry and by creating a network that encourages in-store patronage, the game industry that we enjoy so much will continue to thrive. If your favorite store doesn't carry Eagle, Gryphon or Face2Face Games, let them know about us. We will thank you, and we hope they will too!

The FRED Team also believes that games are a perfect learning vehicle for adults and children. FRED promotes games in education by making information available on how our games can help educators meet their core curriculum goals and librarians meet the community goals of public libraries. We strive to make our games affordable so that everyone can discover the joys of gaming.