Hi guys, I have been working on a trading card game with a friend. However, I have been reading some things about how TCGs do not have sustainable/profitable business models. For this reason, I have been trying to figure out ways of how to convert my ideas from a TCG into something sustainable. Below is a model that I think is really interesting. Please let me know what you think. It was primarily inspired by the card game Smash Up.
Instead of cards being packaged into base sets and randomized booster packs, the game is packaged in a series of base boxes and expansion boxes. A base box would be required to play the game, but the game would offer a modular design where players could purchase more base boxes or expansion boxes. A player wouldn't be able to play the game with only an expansion box, but expansion sets would offer certain cards to enhance the game (card selection in expansion sets would not be randomized).
Instead of a base box containing a prebuilt deck (like a base deck in a TCG), a base deck would contain a selection of mini decks. At the beginning of the game, each player would select and combine X mini decks to create a battle deck. Once the battle decks are created, the game begins.
In this illustration, I will be using the example of Pokemon TCG and how it can be converted into a boxed card game with my model. Instead of the game being packaged in starter decks and booster decks, the game is packaged in a selection of base boxes and expansion boxes. Each base box would be divided into four different card sections and each of the four sections would have specific Pokemon type cards. For example, one base set may come with a fire Pokemon section, a water Pokemon section, a bug Pokemon section, and a Psychic Pokemon section (other base sets may have different combinations). Each Pokemon type section would be divided into two or three sections of mini decks as well. For example, the fire section might be divided into a Charizard mini deck, a Houndoom mini deck, and a Blazekin mini deck. When the players want to have a battle, each player chooses four mini decks and shuffles the cards together to create the deck.
I believe the advantages of this system are:
Easy way to introduce newbies (newbies don’t have to worry about building a deck, they just mix a few mini decks together)
Randomized booster packs are eliminated.
The game could easily be expanded.
Players don't have to waste money in hunting down specific cards.
Expert players can still build their own customized decks if they want to (for tournament play, etc.)
A base box will include enough cards to allow at least two people to play (players won't have to hunt down other players with their own decks)
What does everyone think of this idea? I would really like some constructive criticism to make the idea better.
