Trading Card Games (TCGs) and Collectible Card Games (CCGs) have been solid foundations in the tabletop gaming community for decades. Many TCGs have come and gone with varying degrees of success, but Metazoo was probably the most successful newcomer in recent years, rubbing shoulders with Magic: The Gathering and the Pokémon trading card game – and now, it is shutting down.
Michael Waddell, the founder of MetaZoo Games, broke the news of Metazoo’s end to the community on the company’s Discord server just before it was completely shut down. In his statement, Waddell expressed gratitude for the incredible four-year journey but cited insurmountable logistical and product challenges in the current economic climate, signaling the end of MetaZoo Games.
Waddell expressed hope for the brand’s future, suggesting the possibility of MetaZoo continuing as an intellectual property under new ownership. The abrupt decision was accompanied by the deletion of all their social media pages, leaving only their website and a YouTube channel standing as ghostly testaments to their existence.
MetaZoo, first introduced in 2020 by MetaZoo Games LLC., was a unique trading card game that delved into the realms of cryptozoology, folklore, and the paranormal. The game featured Beasties, creatures inspired by cryptids and mythological figures such as Bigfoot, Mothman, Piasa Bird, and the Chupacabra. A unique feature of the game is a fourth wall mechanic, intertwining real-life surroundings with gameplay, making it stand out in the TCG landscape.
The rise of MetaZoo coincided with the pandemic, and it gained substantial popularity in 2021 when it ranked among the top TCGplayer Sealed TCG Product Chart. Prior to this achievement, the company had secured popular American DJ and music producer Steve Aoki as a full equity partner, further elevating its profile.
With the TCG market dominated by Magic: The Gathering and Pokémon, the popularity of MetaZoo gave the impression that there was room for smaller brands to find their own success. The surprisingly speedy rise of the MetaZoo TCG could even be compared to that of Pocketpair’s Palworld.
Now the sudden demise of MetaZoo Games, coupled with the erasure of all online presence, has left the MetaZoo community grappling with unanswered questions. As of October 2023, the company appeared to be thriving, with Kuromi’s Cryptid Carnival hitting Target shelves. Plus, future plans for upcoming expansion sets were being discussed as recently as November last year.
Similar to Magic: The Gathering’s Universes Beyond subsets, MetaZoo Games had also successfully ventured into collaborations and crossovers with other brands, such as securing a licensing deal with Hello Kitty for a crossover set with the aforementioned Kuromi’s Cryptid Carnival. The game had just secured shelf space at Target and was slated to be featured on an upcoming episode of Pawn Stars.
MetaZoo’s fate raises broader questions about the trading card game industry’s trajectory. While some games, like Flesh & Blood, have successfully built strong player bases. Meanwhile TCGs like Disney Lorcana and the One Piece TCG boast enduring appeal due to their associated intellectual properties and built-in fan bases.
However, due to MetaZoo Games’ sudden departure, concerns now linger among game store owners and industry observers about whether the recent surge in trading card game interest represents a sustainable boom or a potential bubble. This may certainly lead to retailers less likely to take a chance on new TCGs and stick with the reliably profitable Magic: The Gathering.
