Written by Jim Ziegler

The late 90s and early 2000s were a wild time for trading card games. Every franchise, from Star Wars down to Werewolf: The Apocalypse wanted to get in on the success of Richard Garfield’s Magic: The Gathering, with varying levels of success. The Star Wars Customizable Card Game seemed like a sure hit, but it was discontinued in 2001. Meanwhile, an out-of-nowhere Japanese title about stuffing monsters into baseballs and throwing them at each other became one of the most successful media franchises in the world. My grandmother is still upset that she invested heavily into Beanie Babies instead of Pokémon cards!

Star Wars certainly seems like a large enough franchise to carry a card game, and several companies, including Wizards of the Coast, have tried to get one off the ground. Young Jedi, PocketModel, Destiny, and more versions have each hit the market and found an audience before fading into obscurity. Can the newest, Star Wars: Unlimited, break the curse?

The real winners of the cardboard wars seem counterintuitive: The original, Magic: The Gathering was a likely bet, but Pokémon and Yu-Gi-Oh came out of nowhere. American executives had so little confidence in Pokémon that the anime was relegated to 6:00 AM timeslots, and shocked when kids started getting up early to watch it. The show was compelling enough that it wouldn't make sense not to merchandise it, as each episode served as an advertisement for a different Pokémon or accessory.

The success of Yu-Gi-Oh surprised even the creator, Kazuki Takahashi, who only intended for the Duel Monsters card game (a clear reference to Magic: The Gathering) to appear a couple of times. But fans latched onto the game, prompting Bandai to hastily create a card game to be released though Carddass vending machines before later selling the rights to Konami. Most American fans were never even aware that it started as a horror manga!

Now Magic, Pokémon, and Yu-Gi-Oh are the big three, while others such as Rage, Legend of the Five Rings, Hecatomb, and most recently Metazoo have faded into obscurity. Only time will tell which category Star Wars: Unlimited and Lorcana will fall into…

YOUTH SUMMER GAMING CAMP

Monday through Thursday, 3:00 PM

Gam3Escape's Youth Summer Gaming Camp is back and it is bigger, bolder, and badder than before! We have added local businesses to our line up: We’ve added Yoga, Art, Dancing, Music, Cooking, and other activities to our roster of events. Fan favorites such as Pokémon, Pokémon BINGO, UNO, Chess, Catan, and Gaslands will be back.  We are adding miniature golf to our weekly line up.

YOUTH SUMMER DUNGEONS & DRAGONS CAMP

Friday, 3:00 PM

Gam3Escape's Youth Summer Dungeons & Dragons Camp is back! The camp will include the basics such as table etiquette, learning how to play, creating characters and backstories, and playing in a full campaign over the course of the six weeks.

GATHER FOR MAGIC

Standard Constructed Tournament

Friday, 6:00 PM

Standard is back! Bring your best constructed deck and battle it out for special prizes!. Entry: $25.00

Standard Showdown

Saturday, 3:00 PM

It's boots and chaps, it's cowboy hats. It's spurs and latigo. It's the ropes and the reins, and the joy and the pain and they call the thing Standard Showdown! Bring your best deck, and battle it out for fun and prizes. Entry fee: $7

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!

IN THE WORLD OF POKÉMON

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 $6 entry fee comes with a pack of your choice from any in the store.

TIME TO DUEL! Yu-Gi-Oh!

Infinite Forbidden Premier Event

Saturday, 2:00 & 7:00 PM

Celebrate the newest Yu-Gi-Oh set, Infinite Forbidden with back-to-back premier events! All participants will receive five booster packs and be in a drawing for a playmat and promo card. Entry: $22.50

Advanced Constructed Tournament

Wednesday, Thursday, 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

2024 Grand Prix Constructed Tournament

Friday, 7:00 PM

This event is part of the 2024 Grand Prix series. 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

Ursula's Return Lorcana League Deck Tournament

Saturday, 6:00 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

Ursula’s Return 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)

Lorcana Learn To Play 

Saturday, 6:30 PM

Looking to learn Lorcana? Grab a starter deck and join the fun with the first Lorcana Learn To Play event!

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.