In the few days that this game has been out it has taken off like a rocket.

The popularity of this game has now become clear by the speed at which boxes and starters have been selling out, fueled by the fact that the loot cards have become such a treasure that they have been selling in stores as well as auctions for over $200.

This has created a huge inflation on prices for whatever product is still available. Store have increased and reincreased thier prices day after day. Packs that one day were $3.50 where raised to $4.00 and than reraised to $5.00 within a day. Boxes started at $70 per box to now around $120 - $150 per box.

Although i am very happy at the success the game is having at such an early stage I am also severly concerned with the prices increase and product availability. Players that have yet to get their packs are being detured from the game because packs are hard to find and very expensive. What is even worse is that the release event has not yet occured and due to the fast price increase(s) some players may not want to attend events where entry will now be in the $20 - $30 for starter deck events and in the $30 - $40 for a 6pack sealed event.

I am already reconsidering what events to attend based on what they will charge for entry and what they will offer for prize.

If UDE employees read this please tell me what if anything is being done to correct this situation.

I have been a long time UDE enthusiast and hope that they can do something fast to make this game not only start off well but continue to thrive.

-Alex Bykov

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Demo Team : Level 1
Player Management: Level 2
Rules Knowledge - VS System: Level 2
Rules Knowledge - World of Warcraft: Level 2
Rules Knowledge - Yu-gi-oh!: Level 2
Tournament Organizer: Level 1

Well - if its any consilation, most people in the UK still arent able to get ANY cards. All of the online websites i've been on, have never had stock - and none of my LGS's have them in either.

I'm "hoping" that tomorrow will be a new day...

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The Master of Inventing Words.

I think what's happening is similiar to when Blizzard first released World of Warcraft - too many people, not enough servers (or in this case, cards).

I imagine UDE was floored by the absolutely huge amount of people that want in on this card game // loot cards. I also imagine they're going into mass-production of cards at this very moment (well, okay, during working hours).

Give it time, and things will calm down. ;)

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- - -
"When you have to shoot, shoot, don't talk."
- Tuco.

Silvertusk, 60 troll mage, Burning Legion.

In addition to this, if someone who is "in the know" could tell us what other venues the cards will be available other than gaming stores that would be great also. Some have seen the cards at Walmart. Rumors are flying that Target is a possiblity also but nothing confirmed. If it is possible could someone let us know officially where else the cards are being distributed to.

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We are releasing more product, which should lower prices a little.

Basically, our goal is to print exactly how much is needed, not less, not more.

This will keep card values high in the long run, but also accessible in the short run.

We are opening up our reserves next week, followed by some additional print runs in the coming weeks and months until everyone is satisfied.

Then, set #2 releases.

Interesting note - We doubled our original print run numbers, and then doubled them again after that and again doubled them after Gen Con Indy demos were so successful. So yes, we have a hit on our hands, hopefully people like the product and will stick with it for a long time. We certainly intend to support it for a long time.

Take Care,

Jeff

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Jeff Donais
Director, Game Development Group
Upper Deck Entertainment

70 Undead Warlock
61 Tauren Shaman
29 Blood Elf Paladin
29 Blood Elf Rogue
19 Undead Rogue
19 Human Mage

Okiedokie hunkey-dorie.

1104321:

We are releasing more product, which should lower prices a little.

Basically, our goal is to print exactly how much is needed, not less, not more.

This will keep card values high in the long run, but also accessible in the short run.

We are opening up our reserves next week, followed by some additional print runs in the coming weeks and months until everyone is satisfied.

Then, set #2 releases.

Interesting note - We doubled our original print run numbers, and then doubled them again after that and again doubled them after Gen Con Indy demos were so successful. So yes, we have a hit on our hands, hopefully people like the product and will stick with it for a long time. We certainly intend to support it for a long time.

Take Care,

Jeff

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- - -
"When you have to shoot, shoot, don't talk."
- Tuco.

Silvertusk, 60 troll mage, Burning Legion.

Jeff,

I would hope you're producing a little more than is currently needed. As the first base set, invariably there will be demand for it both as purchase and as prize support for quite some time to come.

I'd hate think the game plan was to produce only as much as will be sold up to the next set.

Vs. Marvel Origins remained popular on sales for a long time after DC Origins, MSM, DSM etc...

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http://www.premiertcgs.com Further reductions on HoA card prices...
http://blog.myspace.com/101607545
Infrequent WoW TCG ramblings and math :D

1104321:

 

We are releasing more product, which should lower prices a little.

Basically, our goal is to print exactly how much is needed, not less, not more.

This will keep card values high in the long run, but also accessible in the short run.

*snip*

Take Care,

Jeff

Hopefully, UDE will continue to support tournaments for the earlier sets after they rotate out of "standard". From what I've seen of the VS singles market right now, prices are in free-fall on some of hte older sets.

Consideration for your loyal players and collectors by keeping the value in older cards is, in my estimation, a great goal. Major props for taking this into consideration.

Thanks Jeff!

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-Rob Schuster
45th at 2008 Worlds
Day 1 6-3
Day 2 4-2

Again, UDE should have somewhat planned on this happening. With 7 million WOW subscibers and alot of them wanting to be the first to have something new and unique on their server. The push to get a turtle mount to show off in the game and get the whispers "Wow you leet" is huge. You think UDE would have guessed this would have happened.

I would love to have seen the TCG without the loot cards. I think it would be a totally different animal then. Although still popular in its own right, just not as popular. I have seen too many "Well, I have a turtle mount--now what do I do with all these junkie leftover trading cards?" stories to clue me in to what a large number of people are here after.

Loot cards are fine IMO.

Anything that gets stock shifted is only ever good for the community. It also gives TCG players something they can cash in on, if they are lucky enough to find one.

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The Master of Inventing Words.

1181883:

Loot cards are fine IMO.

Anything that gets stock shifted is only ever good for the community. It also gives TCG players something they can cash in on, if they are lucky enough to find one.

The good thing about this is , it creates an over abundence of unwanted cards for sale on Ebay! That means, epics will not be so hard to get and cheaper!

That true DJ, card prices should not be that high with the massive influx with all the packs being open this weekend. :)

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Turtle, Turtle, Turtle!!!!!!

That's fantastic news, Jeff.

Really good news for the card game industry in general.

One question: are we going to see more crossovers between the card game and the MMOG?

:)

Stuart

1176870:

Again, UDE should have somewhat planned on this happening. With 7 million WOW subscibers and alot of them wanting to be the first to have something new and unique on their server. The push to get a turtle mount to show off in the game and get the whispers "Wow you leet" is huge. You think UDE would have guessed this would have happened.

I would love to have seen the TCG without the loot cards. I think it would be a totally different animal then. Although still popular in its own right, just not as popular. I have seen too many "Well, I have a turtle mount--now what do I do with all these junkie leftover trading cards?" stories to clue me in to what a large number of people are here after.

Wow someone who gets it! I totaly agree. It's impossible to judge the success of this TCG because of the loot cards. Sure it's a financial success in that it's sold out everywhere but we really wont know how much of a success it is in the actual TCG market till tourney's start up.  It is highly likely that these cards become nothing more than a way to get l33t stuff in the online game. Casual players if unable to get their hands on new cards will give up eventually.

 

People also assuming that those just in it for the loot cards will turn around and sell leftovers on ebay. Most of em just gonna toss the spares in a drawer or even the trash.

If im gonna get involved in a TCG, preferrably  this one, I dont want to do my card buying on ebay.

I have to shamefully admit that I was one of the people who went to the prerelease of the TCG just for the loot cards. I ended up with 25 UDE point cards (Which I'd like to cash in now, btw. Week of 23 October is starting to end, you know) but no loot cards whatsoever.

As with me actually playing the game...Well, I do know how to play. Problem is that I'm scared of tournaments simply because I always lose.Wether it's casual play (which is impossible for me because no one around here seems to actually play it) or tournament. (Those days of Magic the Gathering still have me traumatized.)

And I don't do eBay, too problematic with having to send products via the mail. So maybe I'll find a lucky (or not so lucky) kid who wants to play some day to give it to.