Like the cryptids in their MetaZoo TCG, MetaZoo Games has more or less attempted an overnight vanishing act. The company's founder Michael Waddell revealed the news on their Discord before it was shut down. Waddell stated the following in the release:
"I want to take this opportunity to thank everyone in the community for the incredible 4 year run that we had," wrote Waddell. "Unfortunately, that era has passed, and faced with logistical and product gridlocks, MetaZoo Games can no longer exist in the current economic and collectibles markets. It is my hope that MetaZoo can continue on as an IP at some point in the future under new ownership, and I look forward to that day."
MetaZoo was one of a handful of TCGs that gained mass popularity during the COVID-19 pandemic era. They gained significant traction in the hobby games market in August 2021, when they managed to break the top ten on the TCGplayer Sealed TCG Product Chart (see "August 2021"). Prior to appearing on that chart at #7, the company had gained superstar DJ Steve Aoki as a full equity partner (see "Partner at MetaZoo Games"). More recently, MetaZoo Games had licensed Hello Kitty for the Kuromi's Cryptid Carnival (see "'Hello Kitty' Crossover Set").
Unfortunately, the abrupt end to MetaZoo Games and the complete erasure of all of the company's social media pages leaves more questions than answers. MetaZoo TCG seemed to be moving right along through the end of 2023 as Kuromi's Cryptid Carnival had recently hit Target shelves and also snagged a spot on the TCGplayer chart in October (see "October 2023"). From the outside looking in, it appeared to be business as usual for the TCG company. The statement announcing their closing also mentioned that more information would be released via their Discord channel when it became available.
