Getting Into Trading Card Games is Hard
DifferentFight
Views: 7197
Like: 527
Trading Card Games are without a doubt an incredible hobby that many of us adore, but when you compare them to other kinds of games, it’s immediately evident how many more hoops you have to go through to start playing.
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14.04.2022
We definitely need the digital simulator for Vanguard. It's definitely the future for Bushiroad to take. Plus, it could be revival for older TCGs coughs Buddyfight coughs
I think a good investment is a localised promotions through mainstream media like local television. People have heard of TCG like Vanguard but they dont know that if they are interested to get into it. Show them some DAIGO ads and they will go crazy haha.
I've always lurked on the edges of TCG communities – I collected Pokemon TCG cards as a kid when it first released because I was into Pokemon at the time, then watched YGO as it aired on television (for the first time!) on tv in the US. But Vanguard is the first one to really hook me and get me into it thanks to the anime (I binged all 400+ episodes of all 3 series in the space of 2 months last year lol) and Zero being so easy to get into. So here's what I think Bushiroad is doing that's helpful (as a newbie):
1) Card effects staying consistent between anime and TCG. Zero is a different beast, with adaptations made for mobile, so differences make sense. But knowing that combo I saw insert character here use in the anime will work the same irl is really helpful when you're starting out and learning your combos.
2) Gorgeous artwork – I've managed to get a friend into Zero with how pretty the Genesis cards are.
3) Variety in mechanics – I pulled another friend in with how Silver Thorns plays very similarly to their favorite Magic the Gathering deck.
4) Collabs with other franchises – the aforementioned friend in point 3 is what got me to go into Vanguard TCG because Bushi reprinted the Touken Ranbu collab for Standard.
5) Just reprinting older cards into the current format – I know I saw a lot of people say "not again" with D-BT05 and the DOTE/MLB/PBO reprints, but for a newbie and fan of the anime like me, who missed that era in both TCG and Zero? It's a blessing.
But for all the good Bushiroad has done, the single biggest barrier for me (and I apologize in advance if this turns your comments into a total mess), even more than the fact the nearest local card shop that carries Vanguard is an hour plus away, is the fact I'm a girl. I've been in enough online gaming spaces (WoW, LoL, and more) over the past 20+ years to know that if I win, it's "luck". If I lose, "oh you're just a girl and you can't be as good as a guy". And that's before we get into what passes for "banter" (especially in competitive gaming spaces). I can, quite frankly, hide behind an anime avatar and ignore "banter" in Zero the way I can't irl – especially since Zero even lets me turn off emotes so I don't even have to deal with my opponent emote spamming me, so all that matters is my deck build and my skills against my opponent's, the way it should be. So if it wasn't for my one friend that made the jump to physical cards, I wouldn't even be playing physical Vanguard TCG, I'd be sticking to Zero. Maybe if Bushiroad did something like Master Duel where the cards are the same and I could play online without having to be on voice chat (like you'd have to for Bushi's Remote Fight), then I'd consider it – it'd just depend on how hard it'd be for me to rebuild my decks. Until then, it's Zero and the rare day where my friend and I have matching days off and we can spend an entire afternoon with the TCG over (phone) webcam – because it's never just one match with us lol.
This video just came up when im trying to get into vanguard TCG uwu im waiting for the new ride line
Just sharing my experience of getting into cardgames, I wanted to try Digimon TGC and Battle Spirits for a long time but I don't have the time and energy to learn to use a simulator, make a deck in a not so intuitive way and after all of that try and look for someone on a random discord who would be down to play with a new player. Doing all of that takes a lot.
Then Master Duel came out. I knew next to nothing of modern Yugioh and never even really considered trying to get into the game at all. I got 20 hours on the game on the first week and managed to get to gold 1 because it made playing and deckbuilding extremely convenient and intuitive.
I'm going to my first shop tournament for Vanguard tomorrow, so I'm extremely excited.
For me, I have a heavy problem getting motivated when the game is already many sets ahead. I really love joining in when the game first released. It gets really overwhelming.
Today it will be the first time i going to a card store. I hope it will be a nice experience to see people and play Vanguard in this community
I wish it was easier to grow a tcg community, we are starting a cfv playing group in Murcia (Spain) but it's so hard to get people into it
Americans watching this video: “What the hell is a flat mate????”
Really glad that you made this video !
It might be weird but I honestly think a Master Duel counterpart won't be that effective. It's a big investment for Bushiroad and from what I saw of Master Duel, lot of people playing the game online aren't interested in playing IRL (as the opposite of Duel Links or other simpler mobile version of existing TCG like you said)
Playing a TCG is an investment so, good pricing could help gathering more people. I was surprised to see a lot of people wanting to try VG only due to the cheap price of the Start Decks were cheap (i could even afford to gift them some decks lmao)
Also, saying to newcomers that it's fine to start with a trial deck and only do some fights with friends occasionaly is fine
I think we should get rid of the "Your deck won't be viable in 5 months, dedicate your life to the game now" mentality
Letting newcomers experimenting by themselves and not be bothered by the competitive aspect is perfectly fine
I also feel like majority of new physical card games works because they are linked to an already existing franchise (Digimon, Dragon Ball, One Piece soon or Final Fantasy)
A brand new IP for a TCG seems too risky and creating an online game à la Hearthstone or Shadowverse is easier and more rentable
I do not like collab sets in VG but it seems to kinda work, if people starts trying card games due to a collab, I'm 100 % in
As a non-native english speaker, the other turnoff is the langage restriction
I heard so many people playing other card games not wanting to test VG due to the english (or jp) language exclusivity
For me, that's one of the main reason explaining the gap of popularity between Magic / Pokemon / YGO and VG
Otherwise, besides a simple but original gameplay, great arts and aestetic, a cool anime if it's possible and maybe collabs
I can't think of smth else to bring others
It still seems hard to get into this hobby but I keep seeing more people trying TCG right now so i have big hopes that it will keep evolving
Great video otherwise, keep the good job chief and glory to TCGs !
I do have this relatively popular LGS near my neighborhood but for years I've always been too shy to show up and play. And then the pandemic happened. I feel bad for the owners and the regulars. Seeing the shop's social media, they've got a nice community there.
man..in my place there is no card shops and no one knows about the card game except for Uno and Pokemon…don't even get me started on how we bought the cards
And it's just as hard to get out,unless you're aware that TCGs have one of the most aggresive forms of planned obsolescence as the cardpool's made irrelevant quarterly, which is kind of why I'm moving out of it after Clan Collection 5 to appease the Switch backlog I've built in the time I played Vanguard.
I was already going to locals for yugioh, but my way into Vanguard was having my best friend's mate just approached me and a friend and asked if we played Vanguard, we replied that no, we did not. He sits 2 decks on the table and goes "now you do, pick which deck you'd like each and i'll show you" and that was super cool.
I think the closest a card game has gotten to that that i've seen is Vanguard making the oD Starter Decks, buying those at 7AUD each was such a good way for new people to try it, but it tripped over itself because Australia got (and still gets) hardly any stock for overDress
My experiences have almost always just been people (friends or randoms) asking if I do play a game, and offering a deck to try in order to introduce me
lol yeah you need to invest money to have a decent deck, watch hours and hours of gameplay from youtube to actually be good and find an actual card shop in your local area that play that specific card game
Whilst not really a barrier to entry I'd say the Vanguard Promos are an issue for player retention.
Pursuit Assault has Aqua Force Players caught in a Civil War xD
He's now more expensive than most AquaForce VRs due to his lack of avalibility. Adelaide is coming up aswell and will be a staple in Thavas decks. The deck just keeps getting Promo Cards that are required if you want to keep up.
I understand that Clan Collections have limited space in them so Promos are a way to get more support but they are too harshly limited in terms of physical printings IMO.
I think we really need these promos to be reprinted more rapidly or up the initial release by doubling the amount or something. Make them Box Toppers or include them in Trial Decks (as well as shop promos) so that they are actaully availible would help as there are many local shops that don't get these promos to begin with or get promos months behind schedule. They've done it before, The Demensional Robo Legion Leader was in the first Gear Chronicle trial deck.
Definitely agree that online platform really helps to boost interest in a TCG.
Still hope that Cardfight Online will someday become a reality
I think the main barrier is location and accessibility. Because for me where I'm literally nobody plays Vanguard.
I feel player organized demo days and casual play days are the way to go. If you can have an lgs to advertise it on their social media you can attract lots of potential players that, of course, will mostly come from other tcgs. But sometimes they will bring a friend not familiar with any tcg, and that is when new people get to know the hobby. In 2019 we got a player organized demo day have 30 people wanting to try the game. Soon after the pandemic started and everything went south.
In my experience, people from outside the hobby usually know what the hurdles of entry are, but they think they are not worth it, specially having to update the decks. It's definitely as hard as having someone learn a sport they never played before.
This is extra problematic in small but really dedicated communities, where a small number of people play, but most of them are somewhat competitive. The bar is really high for new players.
People just need to give it a try and after that they will want to keep playing. Example: UNO its realy simple but once you start you keep pleying it
Well Bushiroad can make a multi platform cardfight vanguard game that is only about the old era and old cards and similar to real game but just only old school cards like at the beginning of the game it will be good like they don't have to be afraid of losing player of the game
tcg require heavy investment bro, who knows how many packs you have to buy to get the right card. and you need to invest again when new power creep appear. IF you just want to play and dont care about deck building, it's very cheap but what's the point of doing that.
True that
Awesome
I love TCGs. I barely have any time to play but I still keep up with Overdress sets and buy cards that I like. Overdress having cheap decks was such a good idea, it got me to try out all these different styles and add cards to my collection for a low price! Great video, you raise good points!
I agree with you. I quit playing Yu-Gi-Oh irl beacuse I spent too much… After 6-7 years and $1000 Aus+ I still couldn't win a locals and my best deck was a pure shaddol $100-120 build. I also got into it cuz my dad used to play
Blaze next Month
I'm playing Trading Card Games for 'bout 20+ years. It's such an amazing hobby, but I agree with every point in the video. I personally try to convince my friends to play TCG's especially Vanguard. If they came over the part of to get to know, they're love it. Best what we as regular player can do, show them what we do.
I think Demo deck days are always great ideas. And a way to give people cards
It might of been said, but the biggest issue I've seen besides just scheduling not working out, is the local community.
I'm lucky enough to have a chill group of people to play with but I've heard different communities are very toxic and not welcoming.
Very nice video idea and execution
I like your view on this a lot and agree with most things you say.
I must however state that I found LoL to be a weird example of a game that's easy to get into through watching it, regardless of whether you have friends who play it or not. The few times I have watched any MOBA game, I've just been sitting there, understanding absolutely nothing of what's happening.
I definitely do agree with the fighting game point. Fighting games are like Othello: very easy to understand, but very difficult to master.
Finally, As someone who has hosted card game tournaments of games that haven't even released in my own country, and has played card games for over 20 years: Yes. Card games are ridiculously difficult to get into. A lot of effort, little explanation, rotations, banlists, formats… It just goes on and on. But man, is it worth it. Card games are just soooo good. Man, I miss playing card games regularly…
I dont eveb have any shop of vanguard nor yugioh in my country
Bushi needs to make a solid online platform already, they've wasted sooooooooooooooooooooooo much time and opportunity for too long
Vanguard already had their start with the online stuff with CFV EX on switch, only thing is that they don't update it nor they released it on the west. I mean sure, it was from years ago but it would be great if they take the idea of EX, implement it online and BAM, we have our own master duel.
The biggest barrier is definitely having the people to play with to begin with – games that are already established have a very easy monopoly on the culture as there will always be someone to play with. I'd basically have to teach everyone in my local community how to play vanguard myself – which i can't afford to do or have the time for. Vanguard does exceptionally poorly in England with most starter decks just becoming clearance items very quickly. I love the game and recently picked up Zero because of you, which is useful for my commute to work on the bus etc – but in terms of transferring that to real life it would just be too difficult, I already feel too out of the loop with card game culture and its so increasingly expensive. All the rarity systems become so lost on me as the competition for gacha/pack opening games fight for the sparkliest and most expensive pulls and I just have no interest in it. Its bad enough that you currently need 50 RRRs to get the stride spheres for 1 GR in Zero too – Which is why I can't even suggest that to friends either. The zero app is too buggy and the G Era, while being amazing, is something people can't often fully experience due to the fact that you have to pour EVERYTHING into one clan to play one clan to play it solidly, and that's even with paying money to boost your GR pulls since you may need support from multiple different packs.
I love you DF and thanks for always being here on my vanguard journey, it was a huge part of me growing up online and I'm glad to continue supporting you and your channel up to this day.
This video is crazy convenient lol. I just talking to my friends about this recent tcg I've been playing called Gate Ruler. I was explaining how its cheap, has viable starter decks, and is very innovative… everything a lot of mainstream tcgs are lacking right now I feel. I definitely have been hopping over hurdles even spending my own money to promote the game and get stores/people to play it. Its definitely a game that saved me from giving up tcg's all together.
So i have a question . In zero global can u pay the money even if u are from a country were it is not available like India. Is it safe?
I just wish that I have local communities like some of you have in the TCG genre.
Agreed man. Card games be expensive. Between competitive Yu-Gi-Oh, vanguard overdress, premium and zero…my wallet looking pretty beat up. I think card games need to become more accessible.
Unfortunately Vanguard Zero is the only way for me to play vanguard. I've thought about getting into remote fight, but I have no way to play test decks. And it seems silly to invest in a bunch of decks and cards and not really get to test them to see if I even like them before trying to take it and duel strangers…
Great video! I thought all of your points were pretty spot on, and compounding those are factors like "Is there even a LGS near me that hosts events for this game?" I also think the social aspect, while one of the best parts of physical TCGs, can also be a barrier for entry, especially if you're alone. I think can be difficult to work up the confidence/effort to venture to a store (sometimes traveling an hour or more), knowing that you won't know anyone, and having no idea if those people will welcome you or not. And I think this is even more of a barrier for more underrepresented populations in the community, such as women. It can be even more intimidating for them to go alone into what is frequently a male-dominated space (and that may be perceived sexist or toxic, whether that's true or not for the specific location). For this reason, I think when new players show up at locals, it's super important for experienced players to welcome them, since a bad initial first experience can definitely turn someone off the game entirely.
Semi-relatedly, in my experience as a cosplayer and in general fandom spaces, there's definitely a section of the fans of most TCGs that are more interested in the art, lore, anime, or other aspects, who don't play the TCG or interact with it only casually. I've been shocked at the number of people at cons who have recognized my VG cosplays who just watch the anime. It would be nice to foster more interaction between those communities, since they sometimes feel weirdly distinct despite enjoying the same franchise, though I'm not sure how you would go about that.
Great video! I thought all of your points were pretty spot on, and compounding those are factors like "Is there even a LGS near me that hosts events for this game?" I also think the social aspect, while one of the best parts of physical TCGs, can also be a barrier for entry, especially if you're alone. I think can be difficult to work up the confidence/effort to venture to a store (sometimes traveling an hour or more), knowing that you won't know anyone, and having no idea if those people will welcome you or not. And I think this is even more of a barrier for more underrepresented populations in the community, such as women. It can be even more intimidating for them to go alone into what is frequently a male-dominated space (and that may be perceived sexist or toxic, whether that's true or not for the specific location). For this reason, I think when new players show up at locals, it's super important for experienced players to welcome them, since a bad initial first experience can definitely turn someone off the game entirely.
Semi-relatedly, in my experience as a cosplayer and in general fandom spaces, there's definitely a section of the fans of most TCGs that are more interested in the art, lore, anime, or other aspects, who don't play the TCG or interact with it only casually. I've been shocked at the number of people at cons who have recognized my VG cosplays who just watch the anime. It would be nice to foster more interaction between those communities, since they sometimes feel weirdly distinct despite enjoying the same franchise, though I'm not sure how you would go about that.
A friend and I are going to host a tutorial session for Vanguard this summer in hopes of getting more people into the game, and hopefully we can get our local game shop to stock some Vanguard products (which in turn could attract more to the game).
A friend and I are going to host a tutorial session for Vanguard this summer in hopes of getting more people into the game, and hopefully we can get our local game shop to stock some Vanguard products (which in turn could attract more to the game).
Hi! I think the most interesting move for bringing TCG home is made by Bandai right now. They're creating the online lobby for remote play, and even encourage people to participate freely by sending promo packs straight to their home! And they also open a session to play with their talents! Definitely something I want to see Bushiroad doing with their cardgame (although their Discord remote play server is also good imo)
Hi! I think the most interesting move for bringing TCG home is made by Bandai right now. They're creating the online lobby for remote play, and even encourage people to participate freely by sending promo packs straight to their home! And they also open a session to play with their talents! Definitely something I want to see Bushiroad doing with their cardgame (although their Discord remote play server is also good imo)
One of the most unique things about TCGs is that it's a very noticeable activity. It takes up an entire table, and people will occasionally come by to take a look at what's going on. When they see how much fun you and your friends are having, it sparks something in them to perhaps give it a try as well, and I feel that this image is sometimes lost when people think of card games.
One of the most unique things about TCGs is that it's a very noticeable activity. It takes up an entire table, and people will occasionally come by to take a look at what's going on. When they see how much fun you and your friends are having, it sparks something in them to perhaps give it a try as well, and I feel that this image is sometimes lost when people think of card games.
It's not rocket science. Magic (MTGA) did it, Yu-Gi-Oh (Master Duel) did it. Creating an online game sim promotes the game and increases revenue.