TCG Finds a New Partner in Cryptozoic

Cryptozoic is officially Blizzard's new partner in producing the TCG. From the WoW forums:

We’re pleased to announce that we’ve partnered with Cryptozoic Entertainment for the World of Warcraft Trading Card Game. Cryptozoic is slated to release the Wrathgate booster set in May, followed by the Class Decks in June. To learn more, visit Cryptozoic’s website.

http://www.cryptozoic.com

From the wording of things on their site, it looks like this company was created by Blizz specifically to run the TCG, so that's a super gg on their part!

No word at all on the minis, which is, I suppose, better than an announcement that they're canceled.

We're pulling for you, minis!

-RC

Update!

Just found this on Crypto's website on a list of things they have planned to do in the next 60 days:

7. Finalize the design of a super top-secret new product.

Hmmmm what could that be....?

Well, I'm honesty worried. But it would be SO easy to announce the death of the game, that they should have done that by now if they were going to.

"Finalize the design of a super top-secret new product. "

I'm curious as to what this means, although the site does seem dedicated to the TCG.

Anyway... congrats to all of the new employees of Cryptozoic and the TCG community as well. And thanks to the minis community for leaving me with no doubt that there will be WoW minis players far down the road. Hopefully we have new product somewhere along that road to reward our dedication.

Until then.... back to the shadows.

Sadly this all seems to be TCG oriented. They need to either say "Yes, Minis will continue" or kill it by announcing they have no intention to carry on.

I'm not a skeptical person by nature, but I believe we have reached the end of the road. Cryptozoic seems to be only oriented around the TCG and while I like the new super secret product, I do not believe minis are involved.

Hopefully I am proven wrong but I doubt so.

There's been rumors of WoW TCG online flying around, that may be the 'super secret product'. It would make sense that they'd put it all under the same management.

Q: What is the status of the WoW Minis license?
A: At this time, Cryptozoic Entertainment only has the license for the WoW TCG. We are in discussions regarding the future of WoW Miniatures, but have not made any decisions at this time.

From:

http://cryptozoic.forumotion.com/tcg-general-discussion-f1/frequently-asked-questions-t27.htm

It is certainly not the best news, however, that was to be expected. It means nobody has the license and they're not planning anything right now. Too bad...

I guess the good thing is "they are in discussion". Whatever that means.

I really hope they continue this, it would be a shame if this game dies, as it's one of the most well designed, from a gameplay perspective, game I've ever played.

I for one, will do all i can to keep it flourishing, hence my site and everything.

Honestly, I'm just happy that we have some kind of answer, even though that answer isn't all that definitive. It is certainly understandable to take things slower with the minis game due to the near death that UDE brought it to. The fact of the matter is, if they do bring the minis back, even if it was tomorrow, they'd have to do a massive relaunch. A relaunch done next month or next year is still a relaunch. The TCG, on the other hand, has much more momentum and must be dealt with first. It could actually work out to be a good thing if they hold off a bit on the minis in order to give it their full attention, because the last thing this game needs is another instance of "me, too-ing" by being thrown along with the new TCG stuff and not given the time it deserves.

-RC

"Q: What is the status of the WoW Minis/Vs. System/Hello Kitty Island Adventure/etc license? *UPDATED*
A: At this time, Cryptozoic Entertainment is focusing on launching and supporting the WoW TCG only. We do not have the license for the World of Warcraft Miniatures game. Like all companies, it is not appropriate for us to discuss or speculate on other properties."

The updated FAQ entry doesn't sound as positive as the last. Back to the shadows for this rogue... to shed a tear...?

I believe it is response to people asking if the game is dead. They don't have the license and they cannot pronounce the time of death nor if they are likely to pick it back up.