Over the past year, two trading card games have been getting more attention than ever before in their long histories. Both Pokémon and Magic: The Gathering have seen a surge in popularity, with their card sets selling out quickly, making it difficult to find products in stores. Instead of increasing production to meet the demand, both companies are embracing the scarcity by releasing more desirable and limited sets for short-term gains. However, this strategy comes at a cost to regular players, especially younger generations who struggle to buy cards to build their decks.
Pokémon TCG and Magic: The Gathering have become increasingly popular among collectors with disposable income, as they can afford the high prices in the second-hand market. Full-art cards from Pokémon can go for as much as $500 in resale, while Magic offers tie-in expansion sets from popular entertainment properties. While collectors benefit from these trends, players who actually want to engage in the games are left struggling to find affordable cards to play with.
In the UK, it has become a challenge to find the latest Pokémon cards released in the past year, as they are often out of stock in stores. Even larger retailers and specialty card shops struggle to keep up with the demand for newer sets, leaving players with limited options. The situation is no better for Magic: The Gathering fans, as the game now features numerous “legal” cards from other universes, such as Final Fantasy and upcoming sets based on Spider-Man, Star Trek, and even Dwight from The Office. This shift towards collectible sets aimed at collectors rather than players raises concerns about the long-term accessibility of the games for younger generations.
