“We look forward to reaching out to an array of players of all ages and sharing the excitement of the group-oriented role playing card game, Blue Dragon. It is our expectation that the character designs of esteemed creator Akira Toriyama, combined with the unique game play of Blue Dragon, will create countless new fans within the card game community."

Make no mistake, Blue Dragon was an extremely proficient, well-crafted RPG. It just happens to also be so by-the-book and boring that even writing about a CCG based off of the game is putting me to sleep.

VIZ Media Licenses BLUE DRAGON Trading Card Game Rights To Konami Digital Entertainment, Inc. For North America

San Francisco, CA, June 18, 2008 – VIZ Media, LLC (VIZ Media), one of the entertainment industry's most innovative and comprehensive publishing, animation and licensing companies, and Konami Digital Entertainment, Inc. (KDE), a leading publisher of mass market video games and manufacturer of trading card games (TCG), today announced that KDE will exclusively manufacture and distribute the BLUE DRAGON Trading Card Game and Trading Card Game Accessories in North America. The agreement further extends the scope and popularity of the BLUE DRAGON franchise. VIZ Media is the master North American licensor for the television, home video and non-video game merchandising rights for BLUE DRAGON.

The BLUE DRAGON animation is based on the Xbox 360 video game Blue Dragon, developed by Hironobu Sakaguchi, the creator of “Final Fantasy”, and featuring character designs by Akira Toriyama, the creator of the best-selling DRAGON BALL series of manga (which is published in North America by VIZ Media and featured in SHONEN JUMP Magazine). The new trading card game is also based on the Xbox 360 video game.

The animated series debuted in Japan on TV Tokyo on April 7, 2007 and is produced by Studio Pierrot, which is well known for its work on NARUTO and BLEACH, also licensed by VIZ Media. The highly anticipated BLUE DRAGON animated series, rated TV Y7FV, debuted across the United States on Cartoon Network on Saturday, April 5, 2008 and now airs regularly at 9 a.m. on Saturday mornings.
The BLUE DRAGON video game and animated series is a classic adventure story of magical Shadow powers, flying air fortresses, and unbounded heroism! Brought together by fate, Seven Soldiers of Light must awaken the Shadow within themselves in time to overcome a despotic power and bring peace to their land. Their ensuing journey through a rich fantasy world is also an internal journey to awaken the great power within each of them. Journey with them into the world of BLUE DRAGON!

“Konami Digital Entertainment, Inc. welcomes the opportunity to further build the popularity of the BLUE DRAGON franchise with this licensing agreement with VIZ Media and is thrilled to have the opportunity to work on its first ever role playing card game with a dynamically advancing game mechanic,” said Yumi Hoashi, Vice President, KDE’s Card Division. “We look forward to reaching out to an array of players of all ages and sharing the excitement of the group-oriented role playing card game, Blue Dragon. It is our expectation that the character designs of esteemed creator Akira Toriyama, combined with the unique game play of Blue Dragon, will create countless new fans within the card game community."

Konami Digital Entertainment, Inc. is a leading developer, publisher and manufacturer of card and electronic entertainment properties. The most notable of KDE’s card genre is the wildly popular Yu-Gi-Oh! trading card game, which is welcoming its 10th anniversary this year. In addition to Yu-Gi-Oh!, KDE’s other titles, although released only in Japan, include such hits as The Prince of Tennis, D. Gray-man, MÄR, Eyeshield 21 and more.

“The creative forces behind BLUE DRAGON include some of the most notable talents from the worlds of gaming, animation and manga/graphic novels,” says David Rewalt, Senior Director - Licensing and Retail Development, VIZ Media. “The continued development of BLUE DRAGON from a video game to an animated series and now a Trading Card Game demonstrates the successful convergence of all these entertainment and media genres. With established legacies in these arenas, VIZ Media and KDE will continue to develop the BLUE DRAGON brand through a variety of innovative and fun products.”

"A game is a game is a game" — are they? The plethora of popular card and board game adaptations — and their popularity — would seem to indicate 'yes.' Over at the Escapist, Scott Jon Siegel muses on the future and potential of adaptations on a number of levels. Especially when one considers the casual market, familiar electronic adaptations make for potential casual hits:

Any classic non-digital game has the potential to become a casual hit. The turn-based nature of these games makes for a slower, more relaxed play experience. A working knowledge of many titles allows players to approach with some degree of skill right off the bat, lowering the barrier to entry. Name recognition also goes a long way in promoting sales. Any non-gamer perusing the titles on Xbox Live Arcade will more quickly download UNO than Outpost Kaloki X, Monopoly than Mutant Storm Empire. Board and card games are inherently casual experiences, and the digital adaptation market can only benefit from the growing success of the casual cash cow.

He also talks about traditional board games being a training ground for game design, and the increasing popularity of adaptations like Scrabulous in social networking situations.

Simplified Systems [The Escapist]

Demo: Culdcept SAGA [Xbox Live's Major Nelson]

Oh, and before you correct me, bunneh is the bunny way of saying bunny. It's pronounced "boon-eh". Trust me on this. I know my bunnehs.

MapleStory iTrading Card Game Hits Shelves Today

Wizards of the Coast, Nexon take tabletop gaming to the next level

November 6, 2007 (Renton, Wash.) - Gaming giant Wizards of the Coast debuts its highly-anticipated MapleStory iTrading Card Game (iTCG) today, a unique analog extension of the popular massively multiplayer online role-playing game (MMORPG) MapleStory, giving players an added dimension to their game playing experience. The cards feature iconic anime art from Nexon America Inc.'s popular MapleStory online game and are designed to interact as a turn-based strategy game. Adding to the excitement, the iTCG cards feature codes that unlock exclusive rewards and game experiences in the online game.

With the introduction of the MapleStory iTCG, Wizards of the Coast and Nexon take TCGs to the next level by giving players an integrated experience between the online and offline worlds. Each pack of MapleStory iTCG cards includes a code redeemable for online rewards and game experiences such as highly sought-after artifacts, rare virtual pets, and all-new quests.

Also announced today is the name and image of a new virtual pet, black bunny (preview shown below). The black bunny is exclusive to the iTCG and thus can only be acquired online with an iTCG code.

The MapleStory iTCG Starter Set (MSRP $9.99) and Booster Packs (MSRP $3.99) are available in the US and Canada at hobby game shops and other major retailers, including Wal-Mart, Target, select GameStop stores, Toys 'R' Us, Kmart and Meijer Foods.

Wizards of the Coast popularized trading card games with the creation of Magic: The Gathering® in 1993. The company holds an exclusive patent on trading card games (TCGs) and their method of play.

For more information and to learn how to get a complimentary exclusive code, please visit www.maplestorycardgame.com

LEGENDS OF NORRATHTM ONLINE TRADING CARD GAME NOW AVAILABLE FOR EVERYONE Free Client Allows Anyone to Play Online Game Based on Popular MMO Franchises

DENVER, CO - September 12, 2007 - On the heels of a successful release to the EverQuest® and EverQuest® II player communities, Sony Online Entertainment LLC (SOE), a global leader in the online entertainment industry, has released a free stand-alone version of the client for Legends of Norrath™, the online trading card game based on its well-known and popular EverQuest Massively Multiplayer Online (MMO) game franchises.

Developed at SOE's Denver, CO studio, Oathbound is the first release in the Legends of Norrath storyline. Oathbound features more than 375 digital cards and is available in both 55-card digital starter decks and 15-card digital booster packs. In this first release, players become part of a clandestine, secret war between the forces of Order and Chaos. Once jailed on the Plane of Justice, a mysterious tribunal offers them a chance for freedom and redemption. In swearing allegiance to the side of Order, players become Oathbound, and fight against the forces of Chaos to prevent Norrath from being plunged into a bloody and eternal war.

"When we showed Legends of Norrath at GenCon last month, it was just as big a hit with hobby and strategy gamers as it has been with our EQ and EQII players," said Scott Martins, Director of Development for SOE-Denver. "We've had a great run so far with the exclusive access we've provided for our existing fans, and can't wait to bring it to a much wider audience with today's release. New players will be able to enjoy the game in a single worldwide community with thousands of people that span its own client as well as both of our EverQuest MMOs."

In addition to player vs. player combat, Legends of Norrath is provides several modes of gameplay and a variety of activities, including a sophisticated, re-playable AI system for single-player campaigns, easy to use management tools and numerous Casual and Tournament game lobbies. Victory can be achieved by completing quests or defeating your opponent's avatar, enabling players to employ their own unique strategies for victory. The game also features a robust loot system; more than 30 loot items each for EQ and EQII are available, including player mounts, potions, clothing and spells.

The digital starter decks (55 cards) are available for $9.99 (plus any applicable taxes), with digital booster packs (15 cards) selling for $2.99 (plus any applicable taxes). For more information on Legends of Norrath, visit the website at www.legendsofnorrath.com.

With the full game set to go live on April 18th, you have about a month left to get a leg up on the pile. I personally find online card games an extremely relaxing way to spend an evening, and playing a Stargate card game online is the perfect way to let the world know you're a big old dork, like me! Michael Fahey

SOE DENVER ANNOUNCES PUBLIC BETA FOR STARGATE(TM) ONLINE TRADING CARD GAME

Sci-Fi Fans and TCG Players Get Early Chance to Step through the Gate on March 21

WHAT: Public beta is now open for the STARGATE(TM) Online Trading Card (TCG) Game. Based on MGM's popular sci-fi television series, the game will be released in conjunction with a physical version of the card game from Comic Images on April 18. Available via digital download, digital starter decks of the STARGATE Online TCG will be $10.99 and digital booster packs will be $3.49. Once the game launches in April, players collecting full sets of digital cards can redeem them for physical cards via the game's "Through the Gate" redemption program.

The STARGATE Online TCG immerses players in the vibrant STARGATE universe as they assemble their favorite characters into teams and send them on missions throughout the galaxy. Breakthrough gameplay allows characters to "learn" from their successes and enhance their abilities as the game progresses. With three unique ways to win, and nearly 300 cards in the initial set, players have an endless supply of strategies available as they take on alternating roles of both heroes and villains of the STARGATE television series.

Each 60-card starter deck includes four team character cards based on the main heroes of the show, such as scientists Samantha Carter and Daniel Jackson, Air Force officer Jack O'Neill, and the alien warrior Teal'c. Each 11-card booster pack contains additional characters, in-game obstacles, new adversaries, and gear for your squad.

WHO: Sony Online Entertainment LLC (SOE), a global leader in the online entertainment industry.

WHEN: Wednesday, March 21, 2007

WHERE: Sign up for the beta at STARGATEOnlineTCG.station.sony.com/

Oh Japan and its card games. At the recent TOY FORUM 2007, a Blue Dragon trading card game was announced for this Spring. The card game with be RPG-esque, and the design will faithfully reproduce the game's world. This looks to be more from the Mistwalker/Shueishya (publisher of JUMP) end of things as opposed to the Mistwalker/Microsoft. The trading card game will be released in Japan on April 21st, which will correspond to the animated Blue Dragon cartoon starting that month on TV Tokyo as well. Brian Ashcraft

Trading Card RPG [Dengeki Online]

Cathode Tan discovered this odd little image of a Pac-Man card game, circa 80-something. Like CT, I had no idea such a thing existed, nor did I have any idea how it plays. But according to the inside box instructionsBoard Game Geek, it looks even unbearably lame than it's source game, in which you try to add, subtract or multiply your way to high-points. A math game. How droll. Florian Eckhardt

The official World of Warcraft: Trading Card Game site just launched with a bit of news and oodles of descriptions and images.

The wallpapers section has three images, the art gallery four and there are also profiles up for artists Jeremy Mohler and Matt Dixon.

According to the site the card game will be shown at the Gen Con Indy on August 10 through 13, Spiel Essen in Germany on October 19 through 22 and Gen Con So Cal on November 16 through 19.

Hit the jump for details about the game and packs. Brian Crecente

Prepare yourself for the most anticipated Trading Card Game of 2006!
Amazing original art from today's top creators gives you a fresh look at the World of Warcraft universe.
Find LootTM cards which unlock cosmetic upgrades for your online World of Warcraft character.
Gather resource cards and redeem them online to unlock additional upgrades orother Warcraft rewards.
Engage in frantic one-on-one battles, or team up for the most intense multi-player action you can find in a TCG.
Unite to conquer legendary foes, like the great dragon Onyxia! (limited-edition Raid Decks sold separately).

Two players will each need their own Heroes of AzerothTM Starter Deck. Each Starter Deck contains:
33-card deck built for one of the 9 character classes
3 Epic Character Cards give your hero the proper in-game presence
2 booster packs to customize your deck.
Rulebook

Challenging new Multiplayer gameplay in Onyxia's Lair Raid Deck Expansion.
Form a multi-person raid party, using cards from the Heroes of AzerothTM set, and try to defeat the deckmaster's ultra-powerful Raid Deck.
Sealed Treasure Pack includes new cards not available anywhere else!

Each deck contains:
1 Epic Raid Boss Character Card
Onyxia Raid Deck
1 Treasure Pack
1 Rules Supplement

World of Warcraft: Trading Card Game

What's geekier than keeping an empty milk gallon next to your keyboard so you can evacuate your bladder without getting up from Teamspeak while planning your Guild's Onyxia run? Magic the Gathering, followed only by the nadir of human fixation... pogs.

So good news! World of Warcraft is meeting Magic in an upcoming trading card game based upon the WoW universe. Except it's not actually Magic, it's a company called Upper Deck Entertainment, who also do the Yugi-Oh card game.

The game should be out in October. As usual, there will be a starter deck pack and both Alliance and Horde themed booster packs.

This is one of those hobbies I was always somewhat intrigued by as a teenager, but could never see myself investing hundreds to thousands of dollars in, even if my mint virginity was worth that much in the open market (read: the back alley behind the bowling alley). As an adult, most of my budget goes towards rent, beer, women, and, of course, pogs. So it looks like I've missed the boat on yet another deliciously geeky but ultimately wallet draining hobby. Dang. Florian Eckhardt

World of Warcraft Trading Card Game [Blizzplanet]