Written by Jim Ziegler

When Kazuki Takahashi first began writing Yu-Gi-Oh, he never imagined it would become one of the “Big Three” trading card games, along with Pokémon and its inspiration, Magic: The Gathering. In fact, he didn’t even plan for it to be about a card game!

Yu-Gi-Oh started off as a shonen horror manga where a young boy with wild hair would become possessed by the dark spirit living in the pyramid-shaped puzzle he wore around his neck in order to punish bullies and other ne’er-do-wells in ironic ways. This dark spirit, Yami Yugi, would challenge the troublemakers to a game, and punish them for losing. Each story revolved around a different game, from a variant of air hockey on a hot grill with nitroglycerin in the puck to a D&D-like roleplaying game where everyone was a piece on the game board.

Magic: The Gathering was a popular game in Japan in the mid-90s, even inspiring its own manga, so it was only a matter of time before Takahashi wrote a chapter revolving around the popular card game from America. Renamed Duel Monsters and changed enough to avoid copyright issues, it was the most popular chapter by a wide margin, so it was only a matter of time before the game got an entire story arc… and then another… and then became the focus of the series.

Like sharks to blood, Bandai immediately began merchandising, releasing a rudimentary card game available through Carddass vending machines. The rules of the game were written over the cards, so you had to collect the whole set to even be able to learn how to play. But the demand for new cards quickly outstripped Bandai’s vending machine capabilities, so the license was sold to Konami, which revised the rules and released cards in booster pack format, while keeping the original Carddass vending machine size.

Twenty-odd years later, Yu-Gi-Oh is virtually unrecognizable from its humble origins, both in the anime and the card game. But it’s still selling strong, still attracting players. Who can tell if it will last for another twenty?

IN THE WORLD OF POKÉMON
Stellar Crown Pre-Release Events
Saturday, 6:30 PM, Sunday 3:00 PM
Celebrate the newest Pokemon Set, Scarlet and Violet Stellar Crown at Gam3Escape's pre-release events. Entry: $30

Standard Constructed Tournament
Sunday, 3:00 PM
Show everyone that you’re the best! Like no one ever was! Join the battle at the weekly Standard Constructed Tournament! Regulation F, no deck list required. Entry fee: $6

Pokémon League Casual Play
Monday and Saturday at 6:30 PM, Sunday at noon
The $10 entry fee comes with a pack of your choice from any in the store, as well as a promo pack.

GATHER FOR MAGIC
Bloomburrow Store Championship
Friday, 6:00 PM
Fight to find the furriest! The winner of this Standard-format event will go home with a full-art Urza’s Saga, while the top eight each receive a promo Shark Typhoon. Every player will also receive a promo Monastery Swiftspear! Entry fee: $25

Standard Showdown
Saturday, 3:00 PM
Tiny tails, big adventures, Standard format! The first Standard Showdown of the Bloomburrow meta is here! Bring your best deck, and battle it out for fun and prizes. Entry fee: $10

Casual Commander
Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday at 6:00 PM.
The most popular format in Magic, Commander, is back on the table. Bring your favorite deck, or playtest a new one against other magicians. No entry fee: These battles are for honor, not prizes!

TIME TO DUEL! Yu-Gi-Oh!
Infinite Forbidden Regional Qualifier
Saturday, 10:00 AM
Gam3Escape is excited to host a Yu-Gi-Oh! Regional Qualifier event for Infinite Forbidden! This is a Tier 2 event, so decklists and registration must be completed prior to 9:30 AM. Doors open at 9:00 AM, first round begins at 10:00 AM. All players will receive Legacy of Darkness packs. Side events include Win-a-Mat and Edison format events. Entry fee: $23.00

Advanced Constructed Tournament
Wednesday, Friday 7:00 PM
Duel for supremacy in the Yu-Gi-Oh Trading Card Game. Earn OTS Tournament Packs while demonstrating your skills as a duelist. Entry fee: $10


A WHOLE NEW WORLD
Shimmering Skies Lorcana Constructed Tournament
Saturday, 6:30 PM
This tournament will be a core constructed format, so bring your 60-card deck (no more than two colors), put on your Mickey Mouse ears, and sing your way to victory. Entry fee: $10


Shimmering Skies Lorcana League
Monday, & Saturday, 6:30 PM
The adventures in the Inklands continue with Locana League. Bring your sealed deck, or join the fun! The initial entry fee includes a starter deck of your choice, a booster pack, and a 200-card deck box to keep your sealed cards from getting mixed up with your collection. Entry fee: $25 (one-time charge)


THIS MEANS WAR(HAMMER)!
Casual Warhammer
Sunday, 5:00 PM
In the grim darkness of the far future, there is only war. At Gam3Escape, there is only Warhammer! Whether it’s a Tyranid terror or a Blood Angel battalion, stage your army and prepare for battle at the weekly Casual Warhammer event.

Cardfight! Vanguard
overDress Constructed Tournament
Monday, 5:30 PM
Bring your cards and get ready to fight! Cardfight! Vanguard is back with weekly tournaments, every Monday night. Entry fee: $6

STAR WARS: UNLIMITED
Casual Play League
Tuesdays, 6:00 PM
Whether you’re an aspiring Jedi, a sinister Sith, or a bounty hunter looking for your next score, Star Wars: Unlimited has all the excitement of your favorite space opera in cardboard form.