Out of the Box Publishing was a Wisconsin-based publishing company specializing in family, card, and party games. As of October 2013, they had published over 45 titles.
Out of the Box Publishing was best known for games that are easy to learn and quick to play. The company has received numerous awards including Mensa Select, Toy of the Year, Parenting for High Potential, and National Parenting Center.[1]
History
Out of the Box Publishing was established in 1998 in Madison, Wisconsin by Mark Osterhaus, Ellen Winter, Alan Waller, Cathleen Quinn-Kinney, and John Kovalic.[2] The first game published by the company was Bosworth, a four-player chess variant which has since been retired.[3]
In the summer of 1998, Out of the Box Publishing acquired the license for their most well-known game, Apples to Apples, from inventor Matthew Kirby. Apples to Apples was redesigned into its current form by Mark Osterhaus and the content was created by Ellen Winter with help from their family: Leah Sugar, and Max Osterhaus.