TCG Cards – Market Overview

Millions of people still play the collectible card game, and at last count, there are over 15,000 different cards. A collectible card game is also called a trading card game (TCG). It is a strategy card game consisting of specially designed sets of playing cards. These cards use proprietary artwork or images to embellish the card. It may depict anything from fantasy or science fiction genres, cartoons, horror themes, or sports. It is mainly played between two players though multiplayer formats are also common. The online mode of Collectible Card Games is a relatively new genre of games that allows the players to collect cards, combine them into decks, and play the decks against opponents through the Internet.

The factors such as the Rise in the Popularity of Collectible Card Games, the Increased Number of People Using Smartphones, and an Increase in the Disposable Income of People are driving the global collectible card game market. In addition, the Growing Preference for Digital Collectible Card Games and Increasing Demand Because of Online Sell is also fueling the market growth. However, the Launch of New Games in the Market and Less Awareness in Some Regions may hinder market growth.

Happy family times had become quite hard to see in the past few years. Busy work culture and hustle-full life have impacted families across the globe. Back in the day, playing cards were the best mode of having a social gathering. But, with passing time, all these games were overshadowed by smartphones and the age of the internet. However, old times are coming back but with a punch of digitalization. New technologies are redefining the traditional board games that were so popular in the past. Moreover, the youth also cherishes sitting and having a game or two of chess with family and friends. As a result of this re-inclination of people towards these indoor board games and playing cards, the playing cards games market is expected to witness substantial growth in the forecast period of 2019 to 2027.

Social media has been a major driver for the growth of the playing cards games market in the forecast period. This is because most of the games are available and linked to social media, allowing the user to play with friends sitting miles away. Moreover, unlimited access to the game based on social media profiles is another factor influencing the growth of the playing cards and board games market in the projected time frame.

A recent eBay report revealed that Pokémon trading card sales had increased by 574% from 2019 to 2020. Last year, a 1st Edition Charizard card sold for over $295,000. An even rarer version of the card commanded a price of over $350,000. In November 2020, Heritage Auctions sold a box of 1st Edition Pokémon booster sets for $360,000. A similar set had gone for $198,000 just two months before.

In broad terms, the younger trading card game demographic generally shares these characteristics, Composed of children ages 6-14 who Purchase trading card games at mass-market retailers and Experience the trading card game brand through a cartoon, video games, and the trading card game.

The older trading card game demographic is more varied but shares these characteristics: composed of children and adults ages 16 and older. Purchase trading card games at hobby game stores and mass-market retailers. Experience the trading card game brand primarily through the trading card game. The younger demographic is usually constrained to purchasing trading card games at mass-market retailers by their lack of independent transportation and their parents. Hobby game stores tend to offer more game expertise and more community-building events (i.e., game leagues, tournaments) than mass-market retailers (although this does not necessarily mean better customer service.

Due to the collectible nature of trading card games, there is a robust and active secondary market. A substantial part of the trading card game genre's success originates in searching for and trading rare cards. Unsurprisingly, rare cards are fewer and therefore more valuable. Players can find "rares" in two ways. First, they may purchase blister or booster packs. Generally, a starter set costs approximately $15, and booster packs cost about $3.99. Players buy the latter in the hope of strengthening their existing deck. However, because each pack will only contain a few rares and many commons, players will have to buy many packs to improve their deck. Alternatively, players may directly purchase the one card they seek in the secondary market. As a result, there exists a lively online exchange. The highest asking price for a single card stands at $49,000 for a "Beta Black Lotus" for Magic: The Gathering. Collections yield more money, running up to $5,000 for the entire Pokémon set. Misprints tend to be even less common, racking up an asking price of $100,000 for a ‘Yu-Gi-Oh!’ misprint of the “Clock Tower Prisons.”