A few weeks ago the World of Warcraft TCG was released, and last week my small shipment of cards arrived. It used to be so easy for me to avoid being sucked into these collectible card games, but for some reason .VS and WoW have a grasp on me. The WoW game was an instant sell out, and with the demand high and and the supply low, the prices have skyrocketed. Making basically impossible for people to get cards.

I really wish the game had been launched with a digital online interface, then printing limitations would not keep people from playing. Heck they could let players buy a non-rated (not able to play in tourney) set of cards, which included four of every card. Make it reasonably priced say 49.99 for a main set and 29.99 for expansions. This way casual players could make decks and play each other with out having to shell out hundred of dollars for rares. At this point I do not even think you need to have a CPAI opponent available for single player game (see Yu-Gi-Oh! games), but if you do that is just bonus for the players.

Of course the company could then offer “rated” cards, these could be used in tourneys and would be the type of cards used in seal deck / draft leagues. Price the packs equal to the physical cards $3.50 to $4, and they all have a different border. Heck you can even include special chase cards that could only be found in the rated packs.

Now everyone can be happy. Pro players do not have spend the up front money for a casual set, since they will be playing rated games all the time. (though you know they would so they could practice with all the cards, they always spend a ton of money). Casual players pay up front much like any other computer/video game and can play all the want at the non-rated digital game tables.

This seems so obvious to me that I know it will never happen. I think the CCG companies might actually think that they are making so much money off the way the system is working now, that any change would only hurt them. I say Phooey. I suspect there are a lot of people/kids that would play but just can not afford to. This model removes that barrier.

I will leave you with some links:
Official World of Warcraft TCG Site
WoWRealms Fan Site
BattlePlanner: If you play collectible games you should own this software.