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Pokémon has gone from being just a childhood video game to a worldwide sensation! It's not just about catching 'em all on your Game Boy anymore.
Its rapid growth as a brand has led to the creation of various products, including video games, movies, anime, and the globally renowned Trading Card Games (TCG).
Numerous communities have sprung up, united by their love for collecting small cards adorned with their favorite Pokémon illustrations.
Surprisingly, according to sales data released by The Pokémon Company for the fiscal year 2022/2023, they've sold 9.7 billion Pokémon cards, with a lifetime total exceeding 52.9 billion cards.
This indicates that it's been the most successful year for the Pokémon Trading Card Game in the last 7 years.
This raises the question: "How does Pokémon profit from Trading Card Game?" In this article, we'll delve into the Pokémon Trading Card Game and explore how it generates significant profits in the digital era.
Beyond Just a Game: Exploring the Business Potential of Pokemon TCG
Pokémon Trading Card Game (TCG) isn't just about fun; it's also a lucrative money-making machine for The Pokémon Company. Its business model revolves around selling card packs, booster packs, and related products.
Here are some key sources of revenue for Pokémon TCG:
Card Pack and Booster Pack Sales: This is the primary source of revenue for Pokémon TCG. Players purchase card packs to acquire new cards and build their decks. Booster packs contain random cards, increasing their collection value and encouraging players to keep buying.
Derivative Products: Pokémon also profits from selling derivative products such as guidebooks, accessories, and merchandise. These products appeal to Pokémon fans and help boost brand awareness.
Tournaments and Competitions: Official Pokémon TCG tournaments offer significant cash prizes, attract sponsorship from large companies, and boost the game's popularity.
Licensing and Merchandise: The Pokémon Company licenses other companies to produce Pokémon TCG merchandise. This generates additional profits and helps expand the market reach.
Effective marketing strategies also play a crucial role in the success of Pokémon TCG.
Pokémon utilizes various media platforms to reach its target audience, including TV, the internet, and social media. They also organize events and promotions to increase player interest and participation.
Scarcity and Enthusiasm: The Recipe for High Pokemon TCG Values
Additionally, special products and limited editions serve as effective strategies to captivate the interest of Pokémon TCG enthusiasts.
These cards hold high collection value and are sought after by fans. For instance, a Charizard First Edition card could fetch hundreds of millions of rupiah.
Community enthusiasm creates high value, even fostering a creative community-based economic ecosystem.
The Pokémon Company sees this as an opportunity and embraces it with marketing executions to ignite even hotter hype!
The value of Pokemon TCG collections is based on rarity:
Pokémon cards are available in various formats at stores, including pre-built decks, promo card sets bundled with booster packs, booster boxes containing 36 packs, or individual packs.
The combination of rarity and community enthusiasm creates a snowball effect that boosts Pokémon TCG value. The rarer a card is, the higher the demand and consequently, its value. Community enthusiasm sustains the popularity and interest in Pokémon TCG, thereby enhancing card value.
Typically— or at least as shared among fans— Pokémon collection cards are divided into several categories: Common, Uncommon, and Rare. Each card is marked with a symbol located at the bottom corner. Common cards feature a Circle, Uncommon cards a Diamond, and Rare cards a Star.
In the Japanese version, categorization is done using letters, from lowest to highest level: C, U, R, RR, SR, and UR. There are, of course, other rarity categories such as Holo Rare, Reverse Holo, Half Art/Half Body, Full Art/Full Body, Secret Rare, Ultra Rare, Rainbow Rare, Promo, and card mechanics including EX/GX, V/VSTAR/VMAX, and Tag Team.
The value encapsulated within cards of varying rarity is influenced by multiple factors, such as card popularity in competitive play, card age, print run numbers, and various other factors.
Conclusion: Why Pokemon TCG is Worth Considering?
Pokemon TCG has proven to be an unstoppable global phenomenon. It's not just fun and nostalgia; it also holds significant economic value.
Scarcity and community enthusiasm are the two main pillars driving Pokémon TCG values. These factors, combined with innovative business models and effective marketing strategies, ensure a bright future for the game.
For collectors, investors, and players, Pokémon TCG offers enticing opportunities. Its card values are predicted to continue rising, making Pokémon TCG a profitable investment.
More than just a game, Pokémon TCG is a cultural phenomenon that connects people of all ages and backgrounds. It provides endless entertainment and opportunities to forge new friendships.
In conclusion, Pokémon TCG is a wise choice for those seeking entertainment, investment, and an active community. The game has tremendous potential for growth in the future and offers extraordinary value to its players.