Table of Contents -
Introduction's
Most Profitable
Most Pledges
Familiarities
More to Come
Final Numbers
Q&A
Final Thoughts
1: Introduction's -
(Updated - 8/31/22)
The year of 2020 brought on Covid which brought the world in a startling halt, which brought everyone joy to relax from the daily grind of work. To some though it was a chance to start on a project or a TCG that they always dreamed of creating the perfect version of previous or current ones that they have created. Which has brought us either a TCG Revolution or a TCG War?
With this I bring you a report of all indie TCGs that are hitting the market hard between the end of the year of 2021, and to this point of 2022. With a few notable TCGs that still have yet to hit the market just yet.
2: Most Profitable -
First starting things off is we have below we currently have 30 successful indie TCGs that has reached their goals, and beyond that. We have them organized from the most grossing to the least, with the amount of pledges, as well the date time stamp.
6,456 backers pledged
Total: NZ$ 5,784,804/USD $3,679,945.22
Last updated - July 20, 2022
1,539 backers pledged
Total: $947,400
Last updated - July 26, 2022
2,067 backers pledged
Total: $935,430
Last updated - July 21, 2022
1,484 backers pledged
Total: $873,165
Last updated - July 27, 2022
805 backers pledged
Total - $672,184
Last updated - August 1, 2022
810 backers pledged
Total: $508,675
Last updated - June 29, 2022
433 backers pledged
Total: £197,241/USD $237,605.38
Last updated - January 22, 2022
297 backers pledged
Total: CA$ 237,584/USD $184,039.69
Last updated - June 8, 2022
411 backers pledged
Total: $177,749
Last updated - August 1, 2022
576 backers pledged
Total: $165,920
Last updated - July 29, 2022
247 backers pledged
Total: $136,775
Last updated - August 6, 2022
304 backers pledged
Total: ¥14,964,185/USD $112,202.64
Last Updated - July 29, 2022
297 backers pledged
Total: CA$ 122,546/USD $94,930.26
Last updated - August 11, 2022
132 backers pledged
Total: $67,797
Last updated - August 6, 2022
142 backers pledged
Total: $31,290
Last updated - July 29, 2022
106 backers pledged
Total: $24,718
Last updated - August 3, 2022
127 backers pledged
Total: $23,240
Last updated - July 23, 2022
90 backers pledged
Total: $21,724
Last updated - July 25, 2022
98 backers pledged
Totals: $21,661
Last updated - February 6, 2022
49 backers pledged
Total: $15,846
Last updated - August 6, 2022
175 backers pledged
Total: $15,068
Last updated - August 5, 2022
71 backers pledged
Total: $13,611
Last updated - April 19, 2022
57 backers pledged
Total: £10,004/USD $12,053.77
Last updated - May 21, 2022
83 backers pledged
Total: MX$ 172,393/USD $8,480.87
Last updated - July 26, 2022
31 backers pledged
Total: MX$ 169,528/ $USD 8,339.26
Last updated - April 30, 2022
58 backers pledged
Total: $6,428
Last updated - September 24, 2020
71 backers pledged
Total: $6,332
Last updated - July 20, 2022
25 backers pledged
Total: €2,430/USD 2,473.62
Last updated - August 4, 2022
( No picture available)
20 backers pledged
Total: $2,108
Last updated - June 8, 2022
9 backers pledged
Total: €972/USD $986.68
Last updated - July 11, 2022
10 backers pledged
Total: $566
Last updated - August 24, 2022
3: Most Pledge's -
Now as you can see above, the top five that made the most money range from almost 3 in a half Million to about half a million plus. Which are #1-Sorcery: Contested Realms, #2-GrandArchive, #3-Nostalgix, #4-Kryptic, and lastly #5-Otherverse. Making them already most likely to last long term compared to the rest of their counterparts. But this does not give them a guarantee that they will be successful in the long run, unless they have a following behind them as well. Below we take a look at the pledges seeing where they land in order. With pledges it gives us a better look at the amount of people supporting the project from the get go which means more players the longer longevity. (Note: Only count the top 13)
Name: Pledge's Profit Rank
As you can tell Sorcey reigns supreme over both on backers, and in money compared to the number 2, and 3 slot TCGs. Where Nostalgix has a little over 500 more backers compared to Grand Archive, and Kryptic holds onto its 4 place spot in both. Maelstrom has only 5 more backers over Otherverse not making up for being too drastic of a difference. Where Polywog in the number #10 spot goes into the #7 spot in backers, bumping Akora into the 8 spot, and CannaBeast TCG keeping its #9 spot. With BlightBreed taking the #10 spot, sending Spells of Magic takes the #11 spot in backers, which was on the #8 spot in profits. Not only that Runeslingers is tied in backers with Spells of Magic with 297, but is in #13 in profits. Leaving Back Alley Mages at #13 in backers with them holding the #11 spot in profits.
So yes money is very important, but having a greater number of backers is probably even more important. What they really want is to have more players who want to get involved to play the game because they like the game mechanics or they like the art style, and want to collect those cards. This is what any game or brand wants in the long run to reach higher goals, and to become more popular. Plus keeping those individuals satisfied always comes back for more.
Now even a few of these having high numbers over in the thoughts plus or almost hitting a thousand. Does not always mean you will have people actively be in your community playing the game or collecting. Best example I can give is Kamigami: Clash of Gods which is a digital CCG. Who has roughly 60K followers on their Instagram, and a good amount of downloads of the digital game itself. Sadly only has roughly 20 active players on an average day, but is soon looking at success with a mobile release. With this statement alone is an example that all because you have a number of followers doesn't mean you are getting their attention to play or collect your product.
4: Familiarities -
Now moving onto another reason why some of these were so successful is due to them feeling so familiar to a mainstream TCG or set theme that hooked them. Now you can see this a lot being said in the comments at one point of the process of most of these TCGs. Plus I know we can nitpick all day on how these look like others or each other vise versa, the ones that I named off are ones that some people commented on in comparison.
Sorcery plus Kryptic has gotten a lot of response of being reminded of Magic the Gathering vibe. Where Nostalgix reminds everyone of something like Pokémon or Grand Archive having a similar feel of YUGIOH. Or even Otherverse, Maelstorm or Akora feeling like many of those anime style card games like Force of Will. Or even CannaBeast or BlightBreed who were very clever in the design of their cards specifically aimed at a certain audience. Many of these had a proper set theme that not only matched the look/feel of the card, but the theme in itself matched the gameplay mechanics. This allows it all to come together to make it feel fluent throughout itself.
Now even more some of these had an additional targeted audience being either specifically geared to children or to a more mature audience. The two that are easiest to pick out are Nostalgix, and Otherverse.
Nostalgix is geared to specifically children which will give them a chance to grow with the game long term. A fine business model example is that Pokémon has proven this to be successful or even Disney in a sense follows this business model type as well.
Otherverse has taken a more mature approach with having Wiafu or more sexy style illustrations woven into their game. Quite a few others have done this as well, such as the Grand Archive. Yugioh plus Force of Will have both done well to add much more sexy style illustrations into their game. Especially Force of Will where alt-art will have some characters in their swimsuits showing a lot of skin.
Both are absolutely smart tactics to help gain additional player or collector base for those just starting or even in the long term run.
5: More to come -
We like to acknowledge that a few select TCGs that are either going through their Kickstarter process or have not yet started their Kickstarter process just yet. They were not added due to they are not official just yet or the Kickstarter is not officially completed yet with the success of reaching their goal.
Kickstarter Process:
MYTHIK Trading Card Game - 18 days to go
Primal Trading Card Game - 20 days to go
Imigani Trading Card Game - 29 days to go
Grand Fable TCG - 29 days to go
Starcrossed Trading Card Game - 31 hours to go
Unsuccessful Kickstarter:
Lost Wonderland TCG! - Canceled
Lust TCG - Funding Unsuccessful
Lore Hunters story driven RPG TCG - Funding Unsuccessful
Pre-Kickstarter: (Note: Not all of these might not be doing Kickstarter.)
Alpha Clash TCG (Late 2022)
Vanquished TCG (September 13, 2022)
Shattered Legacy TCG (Kickstarter 2023)
RiseTCG (Kickstarter Coming Soon)
6: Final Numbers -
Now we have a total of 31 successful Indie TCG Kickstarters, 4 currently on Kickstarter, plus 17 more TCGs that are in the process of being released on Kickstarter or through convention runs. Makes a total of 35 Kickstarters released within a year or more, and not counting the 15 TCG/CCG failed Kickstarters. (Make note - That even some of these TCG Kickstarters did not successfully reach the marked goals, dose not mean they have given up on making their dream TCG/CCG.)
There were a total of 67 Indie TCG or CCG that were released or planning on releasing or who has perished. Before anyone asks, yes I made sure not to include the games that were released multiple times either under its name or another. Some of these TCGs found success after changing their name or completely changed how the game looked/felt. Which is good to hear that they had dedicated individuals who wanted to see them succeed. (Note: IF your TCG is not in the list that was established between mid summer of 2021-2022 please contact or DM one of our socials.)
7: Q&A -
Why there are so many Indie TCGs now?
Besides Covid giving people a chance to have time off to do this attempt. Another reason is due to a court ruling, allowing for card game mechanics to be copyrighted. Game mechanisms - the method of how you play the game - can't be copyrighted. The pieces of the game - cards themselves, board design etc. - can be. So you can have a game based on the method of trading cards.
The second reason could be the success of Metazoo that is breaking its way into the mainstream market, which was once a Kickstarter project success. That gained even more traction with gaining a huge supporter none other than Steve Aoki, plus the proper usage of NFTs.
So what now if you are a creator who is planning on selling your own TCG?
If you are planning to make a TCG or CCG or a card game in general. Make sure you have your marketing set up right, get to conventions, and make sure you do not make a direct copy of any of the TCGs mentioned above. The market is saturated at the moment, and you are facing some heavy hitters who are aiming to be successful in the long run on their way to becoming one of the mainstream TCGs. This is just how I personally feel about this situation, and how I see it can affect others. Some TCGs are already starting a second round to get additional decks or boosters created, and are failing to meet their goals. This is obviously due to the over-saturated market, and everyone is starting to pick the TCGs they want to fully invest into for the long term.
Any honorable mentions?
Now as mentioned we still have some TCGs still on Kickstarter as well not just yet. But for myself personally Alpha Clash, Vanquishers, and Interstellar TCGs are looking rather good in my eyes in terms of look/feel of the cards plus art, and gameplay looks really enjoyable as well.
These are not per-say TCGs, but in terms of gameplay style they would fit right now. One looking like a retro style game Wizard War , and one looking like an epic Paragons: Ages of Champions. Both look very entertaining if you have a chance to check them out.
I am still a huge supporter of EverlightCCG, another grid based card game that is still looking to sell their product even though they did not reach the Kickstarter funding goals. But I have a copy of this game, and will soon be doing a review for it, letting everyone know the good details of this game.
Plus in the digital game front is yet another grid based card game, but it is set up uniquely creating a wide variety of fun. It’s called Kamigami: Clash of Gods that can be found on steam. It had absolutely beautiful OST, and very fun gameplay that was not able to be showcased on Kickstarter. It can be found on steam plus will soon receive a mobile version which will be released later. You can find out more details on my review here.
Now why would I mention all of these above? These are factors to think of when investing into anything or even as for creators who are seeking for success. There will be more products to hit the market, not everything Indie project or TCG you invest into is going to be long term going to make me tons of cash. Some of these will fall flat, and will only have sentimental collectors value if any. So you must always be careful when you want to invest, unless you just enjoy the game itself or are planning to open up a card shop museum or Game Center to play relic indie or games that didn’t make it. This is always a good idea!!!
What about the future of the Indie TCG Market?
As of right now it is bright, filled with hope, and that everyone as of this moment are in union to help aid each other in a sense to give a push back to the mainstream TCGs. The long term issue is that they are all still in computation with each other, and not all of these will succeed in the long run. Now with this a secondary market has exploded from this with Indie TCGs proto type cards as well product in general. This has even given rise to a new set of grading companies as well. One example is Koba Grading, bringing healthy competition to the standard big three grading companies.
Now everyone must release that in the future, not that just more indie TCGs will drop, but obviously if you haven’t heard Bandai is going to release a One Piece TCG. With this said the mainstream or big company TCGs will be making their own moves not only releasing new competitive products. But the case of our right buying out the competition, which means you never know if one of the new indie TCGs that hit the market, starts making a dent in the big powerhouses profits. Action from some of these companies might be to simply buy out, which money does talk. If you would like to disagree with this. Then take a look at what not only what Disney has done over the years, but in recent Microsoft plus Sony acquiring big name game developers in the sake of controlling the market in their favor.
8: Final Thoughts -
It’s good to see this revolution especially in the TCG industry which has been dominated by a select few TCGs. This creates healthy competition or can be said to be a war against the mainstream TCGs. It will be interesting to do a follow up in the coming year to see which TCGs are still alive, and see what news ones hit the market. Plus to see in the following years what the big companies will do in theory of buying out the competition.
Now I for one wish I could afford at this moment to purchase for each of these TCGs, but sadly funding is always an issue for anyone these days. Plus with no longer living on the state side I am not able to get shipping to Thailand all the time, and it’s difficult finding a group to play with. But I have been very fortunate to a select few of these just giving me a pay just for shipping, so I am very grateful to the few of you. I personally absolutely love all that’s happening with the Indie TCG/CCG scene, especially to see so many meet their goals succeeding to a potential future.
As a fellow creator myself I absolutely love all the creativity that everyone has put into their games. Everyone is doing their best creating different looks, and game mechanics making each one unique in their own way. I am truly looking forward to helping support any project sent my way, and bringing them into light. With this said if you have any project that is Tabletop or RPG related please send it my way.
Thank you for taking the time to check out this report, and seeing all the indie TCGs that are on the market. We are in the process of adding all the successful TCGs into our Card Game section of the website. Also leave a comment below or on our socials on what your thoughts are about all of this? If I missed a TCG make it known to me I will gladly add it into this report. If you want a review or to check out your product just DM me on any of our social links or our email ttrpghq@gmail.com