Germany's Quirky Table-Soccer Game Goes Global
June 18, 2006
In the game of Tipp-Kick, two teams of miniature metal soccer players face off on a tabletop playing field. Think tin soldiers, but with painted-on soccer jerseys and a moveable leg instead of rifles and decorative hats.
Each player has a little red knob on its head; tap it and the player kicks an octagonal, two-colored ball across a green-carpet playing field. Play is determined by the color of the side of the ball that lands face-up. The player who scores the most goals wins.
This simple game was invented in 1923 by Edwin Mieg, founder of the small family firm of the same name. His grandchildren, cousins Mathias and Jochen Mieg, now run the company that's based in the southwestern German town of Schwenningen. Except for a few changes in materials (the figures are no longer lead or tin, but zinc; the ball is plastic and not cork,) they continue to put out much the same product their grandfather did 80 years ago.
A set consists of four players, two goalies, a ball and a playing field. They come in six variations from simple to deluxe, and range from 30 to 100 euros ($37 to $127). In 1954 the firm added a goalie that can lean to one side when his button is pushed; a few years ago they made one that could leap forward as well.
World Cup boost
To date, Tipp-Kick's geographical range has mostly been limited to Germany and neighboring Switzerland and Austria. In these countries, the game's popularity is undisputed. Played by school children and adults alike, there are even Tipp-Kick leagues.
Jochen Mieg said the company usually sells around 100,000 Tipp-Kick sets per year. This year, with the help of the World Cup, the company will likely sell twice that many.
"In a normal World Cup year, we see 20 to 30 percent more revenue than usual," he added. "With the World Cup in Germany, our sales have risen more than 100 percent."
Branching out
But Tipp-Kick may not be a Germany-only game for much longer. It is starting to be recognized by the international market, and the exposure it has gotten from a World Cup played in Germany hasn't hurt. Television teams from around the world have done spots on Tipp-Kick.
"We just got the toy store chain Toys 'r' Us as a new client in Asia," said Jochen Mieg, adding that in Spain, a new client will deliver the game to 270 stores.
The Miegs now make games with players wearing the jerseys of various national teams. Another relatively new chunk of business is made-to-order Tipp-Kick sets that are used as company and promotional gifts.