[Kody]

There have been rumors about this for a while now, and Zarhym posted today to confirm that Blizzard will not be renewing their license with Upper Deck for the World of Warcraft: Trading Card Game.

While Zarhym is careful to also state that Blizzard isn't outright canceling the TCG -- they're going to seek another partner -- it does look like Scourgewar will be the final source of loot cards for the TCG for a while, depending on how much longer Upper Deck has on their license. But it doesn't seem to be that long now, since he also mentions that Blizzard ensures players awaiting tournament prizes will receive them.

Upper Deck has been the publisher of the TCG since its release in October of 2006, and have been running many live events where players of all skill levels can come together to compete in tournaments for prizes -- including a large section at every BlizzCon since the card game's inception -- so it will be interesting to see who is up for filling Upper Deck's shoes in running the live events.

What are your thoughts on Blizzard and Upper Deck parting aways, and do you think it will impact the WoW Miniatures game at all? What about a replacement? Do you have any favorites that could take up the TCG?

[lora]

I ended up buying a bunch of cards to get shit from the loot cards but i never really bothered learning how to play the actual game heh. More of a magic person.

[ScoobyDew79]

I would venture a guess that the TCG relationship ending had something to do with Upper Deck being found liable for counterfeiting Yu Gi Oh! cards last month. I wouldn't be surprised to see the minis license taken from them as well.

[rhorle]

I'd love to see a online component to it. It was interesting how Free-realms has a trading card game in it. Would be cool to see that happen with wow allowing you to play TCG while waiting for a raid with other people. Maybe something tied into the battle.net service.

[Chimina]

rhorle, on 13 February 2010 - 03:26 PM, said:

I'd love to see a online component to it. It was interesting how Free-realms has a trading card game in it. Would be cool to see that happen with wow allowing you to play TCG while waiting for a raid with other people. Maybe something tied into the battle.net service.

I've heard a rumor that this is the reason they are pulling the license, to be able to make a seperate game (or included into WoW, I have no clue here) that uses the cards. Online and everything!

[Libertor the Prophet]

Maybe they will start anew with Wizards of the Coast! They only do MTG and D&D...

[Synafay]

ScoobyDew79, on 13 February 2010 - 05:13 AM, said:

I would venture a guess that the TCG relationship ending had something to do with Upper Deck being found liable for counterfeiting Yu Gi Oh! cards last month. I wouldn't be surprised to see the minis license taken from them as well.

That probably was a factor, but Upper Deck (not just UDE) is going through a tumultuous period and it probably will not survive very long. In addition to the lawsuit from Konami (I don't think the penalty phase is over yet) they are also being sued by MLB for printing Baseball cards after the Players Assoc signed an exclusive deal with Topps. As it stands right now UD (including UDE) really is not worth a whole lot, and a mild seven-figure settlement with Konami will most likely put them under.

I imagine the contract with UDE was up, and Blizzrd just decided to not re-sign with them. The fact that there has been very little OP information since Worlds can be construed as UDE not knowing how much longer they will have support from Blizzard. Just a heads up there will probably be Spectral Tigers galore at DMF: Houston since it will most likely be the last major event for the current WoW:TCG.

I highly doubt WotC will be the successive producer for the TCG. Not just because they have their hands full with MTG and D&D, but because Blizzard is probably large enough to handle the production themselves (ala Konami.)

Minis might see the next release through UDE, but that is assuming there WILL be a UDE here in a couple of months. After UD settles these two lawsuits they will have to cut-back somewhere, and UDE seems like a likely money-sink they could easily get rid of.