Mayday Games Switches to Selling NK95 Masks to Aid in the Corona Virus Fight

April 7, 2020 - 3:47pm

With most of the U.S. under some form of stay-at-home order due to Corona virus pandemic, many retail-driven businesses, including board game companies, are facing economic hardship and are looking for other sources of revenue to maintain their business. Mayday Games, publisher of games such as Viceroy and its line of card sleeve products, has taken the unusual approach of jumping into a completely different industry by selling NK95 masks to help provide personal protection against the COVID-19 virus.

With many game stores now closed and direct orders only making up a small portion of their business, Mayday has seen its revenue stream quickly shrinking. “Our largest distributor just emailed us a couple of weeks ago – about 10 days ago. Right after I sent him $17,000 worth of product, and said, ‘We’re not going to pay anybody right now,’” said Seth Hiatt, Founder and CEO.

Facing those grim prospects, Hiatt learned that KN95 masks, the equivalent of N95 masks, had been approved by the FDA for use in the U.S. and were ready to be shipped by Chinese factories to the States, Hiatt decided to take Mayday Games into the medical supply business and become a temporary distributor. The initial order of 2000 sold out in 15 minutes.

In selling the masks, which are in short supply and are needed by many in the healthcare industry, first responders, and those in essential business, Mayday has been very conscientious of its pricing: “I think, between trying to not price gouge them, and trying to get them in the hands of the community is kind of a good mix,” Hiatt said. “People really want them and they can’t find them, and some people really need them.” Mayday has also been prioritizing orders from healthcare workers and first responders, while also pledging to donate 10% to help healthcare workers in Utah, where Mayday games is physically located.

Sales of masks from Mayday Games are being run through its sleevekings.com website.

More information can be found here.

COVID-19