Cryptozoic and KONAMI team up for WoW TCG launch in Japan
by Anne Stickney 
Jun 21st 2011 at 9:00AM
But KONAMI's not just stopping at distributing the cards. They'll also be hosting a variety of different activities for WoW TCG enthusiasts. Players can look forward to arranged ranked matches, national tournaments, and qualifying rounds for the World of Warcraft TCG World Championships as well. Check after the break for the full press release from KONAMI and Cryptozoic.
June 14, 2011
Konami Digital Entertainment Co., Ltd.
KONAMI has obtained the exclusive rights from Cryptozoic Entertainment to distribute the World of Warcraft®Trading Card Game in Japan. After kicking off in the United States and Europe, the game has now spread to 54 countries worldwide, including China and Korea. By tapping into a rich abundance of knowledge amassed over a decade of developing card games, KONAMI will not only sell the cards but also host a variety of activities that are indispensable in the promotion of card games, such as ranked matches, national tournaments, and the qualification of a player to represent Japan in the World of Warcraft® Trading Card Game World Championships.
Adding this new title to KONAMI's growing card game lineup will further enhance its card game business.
The World of Warcraft®Trading Card Game is set in a fantasy world filled with elves, humans, monsters, and various other races of all shapes and sizes. The game is highly acclaimed for its meticulously detailed world and beautiful, delicately drawn illustrations. Straightforward and easy to understand, the game also features deep strategic elements involving various equipment cards and other allies and abilities-a factor that contributes to its worldwide popularity.
Booster packs and two types of Class Starter Decks will be available this fall, marking the first of the Japanese versions of the game to be released.
World of Warcraft®,the celebrated online phenomenon, is a game enjoyed by over 12 million players worldwide. It has been recognized by the Guinness Book of World Records™as the most popular massively multiplayer online roleplaying game(MMORPG) in the world.
KONAMI intends to deliver the excitement of card games to an ever-growing customer base by continuing to reinforce and expand its formidable repertoire of fun, quality, and engaging content.
Thanks to Medros for the tip!
Filed under: News items, WoW TCG
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Zenith Jun 21st 2011 9:14AM
Does this mean it's just a matter of time before 'World of Warcraft - the animation' anime, followed by 'World of Warcraft - the game' on consoles and then finally 'World of Warcraft Online' ?
Cobalt Jun 21st 2011 1:19PM
World of Warcraft... ONLINE?
Madness! It'll never work.
Maymer Jun 21st 2011 9:19AM
so, what you're saying is that it's time....TO D-D-D-D-DUEL!
SR Jun 21st 2011 9:33AM
Oh man, if this actually makes WoW popular in Japan, I'm going to be SO happy.
Pochi Jun 21st 2011 9:52AM
I've always wondered about how World of Warcraft did well in almost every part in the civilized world except for Japan, what are the main reasons for it not to make it to the Japanese market and be a big hit, just like in every other part in the world?
blancester Jun 21st 2011 12:21PM
They like consoles.
Leviathon Jun 21st 2011 1:29PM
Yea Japan is more into consoles due to the whole part with 2 of the main companies (Sony and Nintendo) being from there.
jboze84 Jun 21st 2011 6:42PM
How about because Blizzard never released a localized version of WoW in Japan. Do you expect everyone to play the game in English? Also, Blizzard is completely unknown in Japan.
Thanatos Jun 21st 2011 1:26PM
Love the SleeStack skeleton logo.
Dankie Jun 21st 2011 11:22AM
Maybe Konami's Dance Dance Revolution team can team up with the wow developers and we can finally have our dance studio!
Also, I think they just bribed them with ParaPara machines to get the gig. *imagines ghost crawler doing parapara* ... or maybe not.
kuri Jun 21st 2011 8:00PM
It's no secret the card game market here is massive (and I mean MASSIVE- I live relatively in the boonies and pretty much every card game imaginable is played on the 2nd floor tabletop area roped off in each gaming store). It makes sense they'd push the card game here, and there were even rumblings of some WoW/SC2 localizations getting pushed here soon as MMO-Champion's leaked chart showed last month.
The odd thing is the timing. Most card games here are not standalone games. They're tied to a TV show, video game, or some kind of external media that lets players get engrossed in the IP outside of playing with their friends. If Blizzard just releases the card game, it's going to lack the "engrossment" factor all other successful card games here have.
If Blizzard plans on releasing WoW here soon, then great. This will help cement the IP for players that do PC/Mac gaming on the side. If they don't, they should really pursue a card game arcade unit model or something that's inherently more popular in this country. But a card game by itself will flop.