According to Serebii, the studio is undergoing a name change from DeNA Digital Production Co to Pokémon Card D Studio LTD, with a new focus on the forthcoming Pokemon Trading Card Game Pocket. This marks the second subsidiary formation this year, following the establishment of Pokemon Works in March.
Pokémon Card D Studio LTD will be jointly funded by The Pokemon Company and DeNA Co. DeNA Co is known for creating Pokemon Masters EX, a highly successful Pokemon mobile game launched in 2019. Only Niantic’s Pokemon Go has surpassed it in mobile success for The Pokemon Company.
Revealed during Pokemon Presents in February, the new digital Pokémon Trading Card Game experience is slated for release on iOS and Android devices in 2024. While details regarding its payment model are still vague, users will have the ability to open two packs of digital cards daily for free, hinting at potential in-app purchases to support the game.
Pokémon Trading Card Game: Immersive Experience and Streamlined Gameplay
Yuji Kitano, president and CEO of Creatures Inc., stated that the game will offer “immersive cards” providing players with an experience akin to the world of card illustrations, alongside “streamlined game rules” geared toward swift battles.
In response to questions from Polygon about whether the in-game cards would be tradable or sellable similar to NFTs, The Pokemon Company distanced itself from such practices. “The Pokémon Company International has not developed or approved of Non-Fungible Tokens (NFTs) related to the Pokémon brand and associated intellectual property,” it clarified.
“Fans should be aware that any NFTs in the marketplace featuring Pokémon intellectual property are unofficial and in no way affiliated with The Pokémon Company International or the Pokémon brand.”
Last year, The Pokémon Company expressed interest in hiring individuals with expertise in blockchain, NFTs, and the metaverse, among other skills.
