A collaboration between SOE and trading card company Topps, the Free Realms collectible card game mirrors the one built-in to the PC game. A point's based creature-dueling title, the first physical release features more than 180 colorful cards that are sure to have children annoying the hell out of their parents every time they wander by the card aisle at their local Target. Making things even worse, each set contains virtual loot cards, redeemable for exclusive in-game pets and items.

Booster packs and starter decks should be trickling into retail locations this week, priced at $3.99 and $9.99 respectively. The starter deck comes with a 40-card deck; a playmat; and exclusive black Labrador in-game pet; and exclusive in-game t-shirt; and an exclusive in-game racing cart. There goes my disposable income for the month.

I mean, there goes parents' disposable income for the month. I would never spend good money for an in-game pet. Not when Baron Von Fluffy is already decked out as a kitty dump truck.

This latest expansion to the still oddly-popular trading card game adds 130 new cards to the mix, including the never-before-seen Shaymin and a new form of renegade Pokémon Gratina. The new set also includes six more Pokémon LV.X cards and three Shiny parallel foil Pokémon cards.

If you are still following me after all of that, you'll probably be interested to know that there will be Platinum Pre-release tournaments held over the weekends from January 31st on through to launch. For more information, check out http://www.go-pokemon.com.

NEW WORLDS — NEW POKÉMON - NEW POKÉMON TRADING CARD GAME: PLATINUM

Features 130 Cards Introducing Never-Before-Seen Pokémon Shaymin and a New Forme of Popular Renegade Pokémon Giratina

BELLEVUE, Wash. - December 18, 2008 - Prepare to face challenges that no Pokémon Trainer has ever before encountered as Pokémon USA, Inc., a worldwide leader in the trading card game industry, announces the all-new Pokémon® Trading Card Game (TCG): Platinum. Hitting stores on February 11, 2009, this latest installment of the best-selling Pokémon TCG features 130 cards. Pokémon TCG: Platinum will introduce players to Shaymin™ and the new Forme of the Renegade Pokémon Giratina™-Origin Forme. Additionally, Platinum contains six new Pokémon LV.X, including Giratina and Shaymin, as well as three Shiny Pokémon, which are only available as parallel foil cards.

The announcement of Pokémon TCG: Platinum coincides with Nintendo of America Inc.'s announcement of the highly anticipated video game release of Pokémon Platinum Version, which comes to retail on March 22, 2009. The Platinum video game and trading card game are linked by another notable thread as they both include the key character Giratina. Featured as one of the key characters in the Pokémon Platinum video game, the new Forme of Giratina is also a paramount addition to the Pokémon TCG expansion.

The first step in the next Pokémon TCG adventure, Platinum, features theme decks for beginner and intermediate Pokémon players, as well as booster packs for collectors and players of all ages. The theme decks will be available in two 60-card theme decks-Rebellion and Flourish-and feature an innovative packaging look with holographic treatment. Each theme deck and 10-card booster pack is priced at a MSRP of $11.99 and $3.79, respectively.

Pokémon TCG fans eager to view Platinum prior to the February 11 release date can get a sneak peek of the new expansion at　Platinum Prerelease tournaments held over the weekends of January 31 - February 1 and February 7-8. For more information regarding the Prerelease tournaments and product, visit http://www.go-pokemon.com.

"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