Konami’s new Blue Dragon TCG (see “Konami Gets Blue Dragon TCG Rights”), which it was demoing at San Diego Comic-Con, will use a roleplaying mechanic and carry the official title of the Blue Dragon Role Playing Card Game (RPCG).  Players battle against each other using Command and Skill Cards, attempting to gain Experience in the game to learn new abilities, level up, and execute attacks. 

Blue Dragon RPCG will launch in the hobby channel first, where it will street November 4th.   Mass distribution will follow in 09. 

The launch SKUs are Heroes Arise Booster Packs ($3.49) and Light/Dark Shadow Wielder Decks ($9.99).  Booster Packs will include 10 cards; the 60-card set includes 48 Commons, eight Parallel Rares, and four Super Rare foil cards.  Decks consist of 40 cards, which include one Super Rare Foil and 20 Starter Deck exclusives not available in Boosters. 

The Blue Dragon RPCG was developed by Konami Japan.  The first U.S. release includes cards from the first four releases in Japan.  The U.S. version has been designed to be very kid-friendly.  Art for the U.S. TCG is drawn from the Xbox game.

Konami will support the game with a robust organized play program, beginning with a demo kit, which will include a teaching DVD. 

The first season of the anime, which targets kids 6-13, has been aired on Cartoon Network (see “Blue Dragon Anime on Cartoon Network”).  The first DVD will be released in September (see “First Blue Dragon DVD in September”). 

The launch of the Blue Dragon RPCG will be promoted with an exclusive Level 1 Blue Dragon card in the November cover date (October on-sale) issue of Shonen Jump, the largest circulation comic in the U.S.