Mastermind board game

Mastermind is a classic code-breaking game for two players, originally invented in 1970 by Mordecai Meirowitz, an Israeli postmaster and telecommunications expert. After being rejected by several leading toy companies, the rights were acquired by Invicta Plastics, a British company based in Leicester. The game became a global phenomenon in the 1970s, winning the first-ever 'Game of the Year' award from the British Association of Toy Retailers.

Over the decades, the licensing and manufacturing rights for Mastermind have transitioned through several major industry players. While it was famously associated with Invicta in its early years, the brand eventually moved under the umbrella of Milton Bradley and subsequently Hasbro. Today, the game is produced and distributed globally by Pressman Toy Corp and Goliath Games in various international markets. Manufacturing currently takes place in multiple locations, including China and the United States, to serve its vast global audience.

As of the mid-2020s, the brand remains a staple of the Goliath Games portfolio. The company, headquartered in the Netherlands, has solidified its position as the ultimate owner, ensuring the game's continued presence on retail shelves through localized subsidiaries and distribution networks across Europe, North America, and beyond.