With the TCG making a resurgence as a mobile game Pokémon cards are back at the forefront of pop-culture
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3 Reasons People Think a TCG App Can Increase Interest in Physical Cards
1. New Players Get Introduced to the Hobby
Many observers say that mobile/digital TCG apps serve as a kind of massive marketing engine for the physical game. Players who try and enjoy the digital version often become curious about owning the real cards themselves — sometimes specifically seeking out physical packs once they’ve fallen in love with certain cards or mechanics.
2. Apps Spark Broader Engagement & Community Growth
Digital versions can expand the audience beyond the core hobbyists — reaching casual gamers or people who might never have bought a booster box. A larger player base means more interest in tournaments, local game stores, and social play — all of which feed back into physical card demand.
3. Onboarding Tool That Teaches the Game
TCG apps often lower barriers to learning than physical games. Because they automate rules, deck-building, and matchmaking, newbies can more easily understand and enjoy the game. Once comfortable digitally, many want to translate that skill into the physical space — which can lead to real card purchases.
3 Concerns That Digital Might Hurt Physical Card Sales or Collector Culture
1. Digital Convenience Can Replace the Desire to Buy Physical Packs
Several players report that the ease and instant gratification of a digital app can diminish the desire to purchase real packs. Some say they now feel no need to buy physical cards at all after satisfying their collecting itch online — especially if the digital rewards or pack openings are frequent or fun enough.
2. Digital Cards Lack Tangible Value for Collectors
A common criticism is that digital cards have no real world value. Physical cards can be displayed, graded, sold, or resold — and there’s a sense of ownership that digital can’t match. With digital, ownership depends on an online account or server continuing to operate — if it doesn’t, the collection could disappear.
3. Transitioning Players May Skip Physical Collecting Altogether
Community discussions reflect frustration that digital versions sometimes do enough of what players love that they don’t feel compelled to dive deeper into collecting — especially if they’re not invested financially or socially in the physical community. This potentially draws time and attention away from cafes, card shops, and live events where the physical game thrives.
🧠 Overall Picture
Digital TCG apps aren’t just a mirror of the physical version — they change how people experience the game. For some, that means increased excitement and discovery that spirals into physical collecting. For others, it means a satisfying, cheaper, or more convenient alternative that can pull attention and spending away from traditional cards and the collector culture built around them.
The real impact seems to depend on how well game companies balance digital fun with incentives to engage in the physical side — and whether digital and physical experiences complement rather than replace one another.
Mixed Media Magazine 