InQuest 22 - 85 - X-Files CCG: Mention
Card Stock
Tracking trends in the card game market
By Dan Albaugh
YEAR-END RELEASES ABOUND
A slew of new CCGs hit the store shelves just in
time for the holiday season. Those year-end
releases experiencing strong sales were BattleTech,
The Empire Strikes Back: Hoth, Legend of the Five
Rings: Anvil of Despair, Middle-earth: Dark Minions
and X-Files. After a long glut where the only new
releases were expansions, Wizards of the Coast's
Battletech and USPC's X-Files have made an imme-
diate impact.
WotC's Latest Release
Coming on Strong
It appears that many retailers underestimated the
demand for BattleTech and were sent scurrying to
buy additional product on the secondary market.
Gamers report that Wizards of the Coast did an
excellent job in transferring the flavor of the Bat-
tleTech books and board game into the CCG. Most
storeowners affirmed that sales for BattleTech in
the first month of its release exceeded those
recorded by Netrunner in its first month. Although
there hasn't been a great demand for singles, some
of the more powerful cards like Daishi A - the
biggest mech in the game - have caught market
attention, in some places fetching up to $10.
Tracking trends in the card game market
By Dan Albaugh
YEAR-END RELEASES ABOUND
A slew of new CCGs hit the store shelves just in
time for the holiday season. Those year-end
releases experiencing strong sales were BattleTech,
The Empire Strikes Back: Hoth, Legend of the Five
Rings: Anvil of Despair, Middle-earth: Dark Minions
and X-Files. After a long glut where the only new
releases were expansions, Wizards of the Coast's
Battletech and USPC's X-Files have made an imme-
diate impact.
WotC's Latest Release
Coming on Strong
It appears that many retailers underestimated the
demand for BattleTech and were sent scurrying to
buy additional product on the secondary market.
Gamers report that Wizards of the Coast did an
excellent job in transferring the flavor of the Bat-
tleTech books and board game into the CCG. Most
storeowners affirmed that sales for BattleTech in
the first month of its release exceeded those
recorded by Netrunner in its first month. Although
there hasn't been a great demand for singles, some
of the more powerful cards like Daishi A - the
biggest mech in the game - have caught market
attention, in some places fetching up to $10.
The Truth Is Finally Out There
Gamers and collectors, frustrated with the delay of
the release of X-Files, appear to agree that the wait
was worth it. Several retailers indicate that X-Files
has brought into the hobby new people who have
never before played a CCG. Philip Piecuch, single-
card sales manager for The Magic Source in Cohoes,
N.Y., reports that there has been a considerable
demand for singles.
While most of the rares are fairly easy to get a
hold of, the real activity has centered on the ultra-
rare cards, especially on the hard-to-find versions of
agents Fox Mulder and Dana Scully ($20-$25 each).
And now that the game has finally been released,
there has been a surge of interest in No One So
Paranoid ($20-30), the promo card given out at last
summer's GenCon games convention.
Make Way For Expansion
While The Empire Strikes Back: Hoth may be lacking
the spectacular character cards that appeal to Star
Wars collectors, the CCG has generated positive
comments from gamers. Thanks to rules clarifica-
tions and additions, new tactics can be employed to
Gamers and collectors, frustrated with the delay of
the release of X-Files, appear to agree that the wait
was worth it. Several retailers indicate that X-Files
has brought into the hobby new people who have
never before played a CCG. Philip Piecuch, single-
card sales manager for The Magic Source in Cohoes,
N.Y., reports that there has been a considerable
demand for singles.
While most of the rares are fairly easy to get a
hold of, the real activity has centered on the ultra-
rare cards, especially on the hard-to-find versions of
agents Fox Mulder and Dana Scully ($20-$25 each).
And now that the game has finally been released,
there has been a surge of interest in No One So
Paranoid ($20-30), the promo card given out at last
summer's GenCon games convention.
Make Way For Expansion
While The Empire Strikes Back: Hoth may be lacking
the spectacular character cards that appeal to Star
Wars collectors, the CCG has generated positive
comments from gamers. Thanks to rules clarifica-
tions and additions, new tactics can be employed to
make the game more playable. Top singles in Hoth
include Commander Luke Skywalker ($15-$20),
Stalker ($10-$15) and Tyrant ($10-$15).
Although Dark Minions hasn't lured many new
players to try ICE's hit CCG Middle-Earth: The Wizards,
it has been very well received among existing fans of
the game. The set introduces agents - a whole new
class of cards - to the game. The most popular cards
in the set so far are Durin's Bane ($6-$8) and the more
powerful agents such as The Grimburgoth ($6-$8) and
Golodhros ($4-$6).
Mirage Still Moving Well
Store reports give evidence that Mirage is still sell-
ing at a steady pace and will most likely continue to
do so right up to the early 1997 release of Visions.
Nearly all of the higher-priced cards found in Mirage
have maintained their values over the past month.
There has been a slight drop-off in the low value of
the Grinning Totem ($15-$25).
The Multiverse Gift Box ($20) made some quick
sales when it first came out, but sales have dimin-
ished as players and collectors have realized that
the set has little to offer. Players are excited about
the new Visions cards (the Gift Box offers two pre-
view packs), but most people are willing to wait
until the set comes out in January.
include Commander Luke Skywalker ($15-$20),
Stalker ($10-$15) and Tyrant ($10-$15).
Although Dark Minions hasn't lured many new
players to try ICE's hit CCG Middle-Earth: The Wizards,
it has been very well received among existing fans of
the game. The set introduces agents - a whole new
class of cards - to the game. The most popular cards
in the set so far are Durin's Bane ($6-$8) and the more
powerful agents such as The Grimburgoth ($6-$8) and
Golodhros ($4-$6).
Mirage Still Moving Well
Store reports give evidence that Mirage is still sell-
ing at a steady pace and will most likely continue to
do so right up to the early 1997 release of Visions.
Nearly all of the higher-priced cards found in Mirage
have maintained their values over the past month.
There has been a slight drop-off in the low value of
the Grinning Totem ($15-$25).
The Multiverse Gift Box ($20) made some quick
sales when it first came out, but sales have dimin-
ished as players and collectors have realized that
the set has little to offer. Players are excited about
the new Visions cards (the Gift Box offers two pre-
view packs), but most people are willing to wait
until the set comes out in January.
Top 5 Hottest CCGs
1. Magic: The Gathering (WotC)
The first two shipments of Mirage generated strong sales
for retailers. Expect Mirage to continue to do well up to the
release of visions.
2. Star Wars CCG (Decipher)
The newest expansion has few special character cards, but
gamers are giving high marks to The Empire Strikes Back:
Hoth. Top card is Commander Luke Skywalker at $15-$20.
3. BattleTech (WotC)
The popularity of BattleTech caught many retailers by sur-
prise. High demand may make this new game the sleeper
CCG of 1996.
4. X-Files (U.S. Playing Card)
Sales have been excellent for X-Files despite a frustrating
delay in the product reaching the market. Gamers
ndicate that the new CCG plays well.
5. Middle-earth: The Wizards (ICE)
Most retailers report that the recently released Dark Minions
expansion has matched The Dragons in interest and sales.
