Bilbo Baggins
New Member
Perhaps it doesn't have to be a 'box' per say. Change the name to the Elite Trainer Kit, and whatever rotation is next, have the product made to fit the included merchandise?
Expanding the "Elite Trainer" product line: Survey
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Perhaps it doesn't have to be a 'box' per say. Change the name to the Elite Trainer Kit, and whatever rotation is next, have the product made to fit the included merchandise?
changing the size of the box for each different 'kit' gets very expensive...
ShadowCard
Active Member
To add to SD PokeMom's comment, changing the size of the box for each kit can also make it difficult for stores who then have to plan out different sized kits for their shelves.
signofzeta
New Member
That's why I am on the fence with the playmat thing. I like the size and shape of the current boxes, but if they have to place a playmat in it, then the box shape has to change, and as a result, if there wasn't a playmat in it, the box size would have to be the same as if there was a playmat in it.
For now, just include the silly paper playmat/rules sheet that comes with the theme deck as a consolation prize.
But but but, the WoW TCG epic collection boxes does hold more cards though, and it also includes a plastic deckbox and the cloth playmat.
Ok. Here's how it is going to work. Forget about the Playmat. Just release sleeves for February and August, and plastic deck box for May and November. Include the theme deck Playmat/Rules Sheet with it. Of course the theme deck playmat/rules sheet doesn't have to be exactly the same design, so long as it is a playmat on one side, and the rules on the other, just like the theme deck playmat. Oh, it would be nice to have a 9th booster.
In the end, everything must stay the way it is, except with the addition of the paper playmat/rules sheet, and the alternation between sleeves and plastic deck box between each release.
For now, just include the silly paper playmat/rules sheet that comes with the theme deck as a consolation prize.
But but but, the WoW TCG epic collection boxes does hold more cards though, and it also includes a plastic deckbox and the cloth playmat.
Ok. Here's how it is going to work. Forget about the Playmat. Just release sleeves for February and August, and plastic deck box for May and November. Include the theme deck Playmat/Rules Sheet with it. Of course the theme deck playmat/rules sheet doesn't have to be exactly the same design, so long as it is a playmat on one side, and the rules on the other, just like the theme deck playmat. Oh, it would be nice to have a 9th booster.
In the end, everything must stay the way it is, except with the addition of the paper playmat/rules sheet, and the alternation between sleeves and plastic deck box between each release.
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Bilbo Baggins
New Member
very true. Just thinking of in terms of adding playmats in the mix since a lot of people would really want that. The only way to get those in is changing the box a bit or just making them a side item... which they should do anyway (wink wink)
sniper no sniping
signofzeta
New Member
I don't get it. Besides, I wasn't that great with the railgun anyway.
It doesn't hurt to just release standalone cloth playmats. The WoW TCG epic collection has the cloth playmat and a plastic deckbox, but they only have 6 boosters.
Ness
Member
High quality deck boxes, especially metal ones sound awesome! I have some suggestions regarding their design/marketing:
First, the survey proposes that they would be large enough to hold 75+ cards and damage counters. If you look around at a tournament, you will notice the 60-card Japanese deck boxes are incredibly popular, while their larger counterparts (the ones that hold 100 cards) are not. This is because the 100-card deck boxes are obnoxiously large, too large to fit into a pocket, even. If you guys do make high quality deck boxes (and I hope you do), please make them the size of the smaller Japanese deck boxes, or at least make both. There is a reason the smaller boxes are so popular!
Secondly, because deck boxes are so popular among tournament players, I also suggest using a variety of cover arts on them, or you'll end up with a lot of confusion at events when so many players have identical deck boxes.
Third, I'm not sure if you want to include booster packs in the deck boxes. I assume the reason for including boosters is you will make the product appeal to children and people who simply collect cards, rather than the relatively small competitive player base, but since any of these items aren't visible inside the deck box, it would be hard to market them towards the casual buyer, since it lacks the visual appeal to draw their attention. (This isn't my area of expertise, but it makes sense in my head.)
First, the survey proposes that they would be large enough to hold 75+ cards and damage counters. If you look around at a tournament, you will notice the 60-card Japanese deck boxes are incredibly popular, while their larger counterparts (the ones that hold 100 cards) are not. This is because the 100-card deck boxes are obnoxiously large, too large to fit into a pocket, even. If you guys do make high quality deck boxes (and I hope you do), please make them the size of the smaller Japanese deck boxes, or at least make both. There is a reason the smaller boxes are so popular!
Secondly, because deck boxes are so popular among tournament players, I also suggest using a variety of cover arts on them, or you'll end up with a lot of confusion at events when so many players have identical deck boxes.
Third, I'm not sure if you want to include booster packs in the deck boxes. I assume the reason for including boosters is you will make the product appeal to children and people who simply collect cards, rather than the relatively small competitive player base, but since any of these items aren't visible inside the deck box, it would be hard to market them towards the casual buyer, since it lacks the visual appeal to draw their attention. (This isn't my area of expertise, but it makes sense in my head.)
ShadowCard
Active Member
A similar kit to this for a prerelease player would be far superior for a prerelease than what we have now. Prereleases are targeted at newer players, right? They are not friendly to newer players at all: play in a format that no other series uses; expect those new players to come ready with damage counters, markers, and a coin; ask them to build a deck on site without any existing structure to work off of. A kit like this, already equipped with damage counter dice, a randomizer coin, and special condition markers suits a newer player more than "here's 6 packs, hope you remembered a poison marker." Additionally, make the kit order-able for stores after the release date so they can sell them too. Players have to get replacement sleeves or a new deck box for for the ones that come in the kits somehow, don't they?
I'm just looking for a box that holds a sleeved deck and has room for replacement sleeves. The 75+ sleeved cards was a reason for my low-value responses. Why do I need 75 sleeved cards? That is asking for trouble.
What about changing the material the playmat is made of? A cloth playmat folds up, right? Wasn't there a yellow cloth playmat a LONG time ago?
Agreed.
I'm just looking for a box that holds a sleeved deck and has room for replacement sleeves. The 75+ sleeved cards was a reason for my low-value responses. Why do I need 75 sleeved cards? That is asking for trouble.
Bilbo Baggins
New Member
Reminds me, need to find that....
I like to think of it personally as 'room without tight fitting your deck in' box. Makes it easy to get out and in without damaging the sleeves.
Fun fact, the ETB holds 3 large Japanese boxes perfectly. I like the bigger boxes, with the smaller ones the deck fits too well into the box and it's almost a pain to get out.
For prereleases, doesn't Magic have a separate prerelease box that is much smaller than a fat pack? Couldn't all the contents of the ETB be placed into a smaller "Prerelease Kit"? Same contents, just no storage box.
For prereleases, doesn't Magic have a separate prerelease box that is much smaller than a fat pack? Couldn't all the contents of the ETB be placed into a smaller "Prerelease Kit"? Same contents, just no storage box.
signofzeta
New Member
I would like TPCi to do prereleases like you just said, except have the person have a choice between 2 promos, like when you go to a video game store, and you only have the budget to only buy either Pokemon X, or Pokemon Y. The whole 2 promo thing is good, because it gives the same feeling how there are 2 Pokemon games, not just one. So here is how it works:
For sets that only have one Japanese Booster, or none, or any sets that corresponds to one Japanese booster set, like Emerging Powers, Noble Victories, Dark Explorers, Plasma Storm, Plasma Blast, and Legendary Treasures etc. will be like any prerelease. One promo, and 6 packs, all the same.
The sets that include 2 prerelease promos would be sets that are based off the Japanese sets that have 2 different booster sets, or sets that decides to combine 2 Japanese boosters from different release dates, like what we have for XY, Plasma Freeze, Boundaries Crossed, Dragons Exalted, Next Destinies, etc. Players are given one of two choices. The choice you make will mean that you get one promo, and not the other. Another difference between the 2 choices are that 2 of the 6 booster packs aren't exactly the same booster pack you will buy in stores, but are more like the exact same booster pack as the Japanese counterpart. Let's say the XY prerelease used this model. 4 of the boosters will be the XY set, which combines the Japanese Collection X and Collection Y, as well as the Xerneas Deck and Yveltal Deck. The 2 packs that are different from the rest of them, and let's say you picked the X themed prerelease set, you will get 9 card packs that come from the Collection X + Xerneas deck card pool. This means 2 of your packs are guaranteed to not have certain cards, like Blastoise EX, because you didn't pick the other prerelease kit.
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Envoyofduels
New Member
They do, this is something that I would not mind seeing in the pokemon prereleasse. Like, 4 different type of boxes with 3 types apiece each with packs, counters, and a semi-random pack devoted to that team. All I know is something need to be switched up for prereleases because right now, there is no reason to go. Give me a reason to travel, because right now there is none.
I suspect one reason for this is that some players play multiple card games, and other games require 75+ sleeved cards. I also know people who play Magic and not Pokemon who love the Pokemon brand and use Pokemon boxes, sleeves, &c. when they play other games. (I personally was super excited when I discovered that a 100-card deck for the Magic "Commander" format fits perfectly in the Japanese Pokemon Center deckboxes, and now use nothing else.) A deck box that can fit decks for multiple games has a broader market (at least potentially) than just Pokemon TCG players.
Without getting into too much detail, boosters in these types of products allow us to give a reasonable value proposition to the customer, while still meeting our cost needs.
For example, if we took the ETB, removed all the boosters, and sold it for the current cost minus the MSRP of those boosters, we'd lose money.
By putting the boosters in the deck box, we'd be able to sell it at a reasonable cost for the whole package. Sure, core players may not need desperately 2 more boosters, but they at least understand their value and that the overall product is reasonably priced. It's a business decision, but one tempered by ensuring we're giving you all something you're happy to get and pay for. We could also put in, for example, 15 Pokémon stickers, and charge the same, but they don't have the universal appeal to TCG players that boosters do.
Just a note: I took the playmat that was given out at regionals. If you fold it in half and then roll it, it fits easily into the current ETB. I think it would be completely feasible to include a playmat as a rotating item without changing the shape of the ETB itself, though I don't know how cost effective it would be.
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signofzeta
New Member
Can you guarantee that if it stays folded like that that 100% of the elite trainer boxes with a playmat in it won't have a crease in it? Does your playmat fit so perfectly that nothing else fits inside?
Envoyofduels
New Member
I wouldn't mind a product with a playmat, however I would like it be a separate product then be included in a ETB.
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YuGiOh has product that contains a playmat that's folded. I haven't heard any complaints about those playmats being creased or anything.
signofzeta
New Member
Which ones are you talking about? I know about two types, the paper ones that come with starter deck and structure decks, and the hard cardboard type ones that come with the legendary collection.
In this case, we are talking about the cloth/mousepad material playmats. I have never seen any of them folded in half, then rolled up. If you just roll the playmat, you have a certain circular area from the rolled up playmat. If you fold it, then roll it, the area doubles, but not only that, unless you completely flatten it, that is make a crease, when you roll the folded side, the circular area would be much larger on the folded side than on the non folded side. If you don't understand, the more you fold to shorten the height of the cylinder, the larger the circular area on the top and bottom of the cylinder will be.
It still doesn't change the fact that you still have to change the box dimensions to incorporate the playmat, and that the smallest dimension of the playmat must be smaller than the largest dimension of the box. Can you really fit your playmat in your elite trainer box while fitting in 8 boosters, the dice, and the energy?
rivershock
Member
Yu-Gi-Oh! did the "mousepad material" mats with Gold Series 4. I BELIEVE they were rolled. (Been a long, long time since I've bought one, but the box shape is designed in a way that makes this pretty much the only possible way.)
The paper playmats do crease to a noticeable degree, but it's not really that bad considering they're paper, and they're still flat enough to use. (They look better than Pokemon's ones, too.)
The duel boards (the hard cardboard Legendary Collection ones) are perfect IMO. I doubt these would be possible for Pokemon's Elite Trainer Boxes without increasing the price, though, I'd imagine they're pretty expensive to produce. (And the packaging would have to be a lot bigger, especially factoring in Pokemon's field size is larger than Yu-Gi-Oh!'s due primarily to Prizes.)
The paper playmats do crease to a noticeable degree, but it's not really that bad considering they're paper, and they're still flat enough to use. (They look better than Pokemon's ones, too.)
The duel boards (the hard cardboard Legendary Collection ones) are perfect IMO. I doubt these would be possible for Pokemon's Elite Trainer Boxes without increasing the price, though, I'd imagine they're pretty expensive to produce. (And the packaging would have to be a lot bigger, especially factoring in Pokemon's field size is larger than Yu-Gi-Oh!'s due primarily to Prizes.)
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