CCG/TCG 10 Cardinal Rules: UP A D NR

CCG/TCG 10 Cardinal Rules
1 It is a card game and not only a trading cards set. So, there are rules to play it, which are normally
included in starters or boosters.
2 Cards must be printed and "physically" available and they can be played. Therefore, games
available only for the on line play are not counted, like games where printed cards are simply used
to receive codes for the on line play (e.g. “Bella Sara”).
3 The playing deck is different for each player and it must be built according with defined rules
(maximum number of cards, number of copies for each card, etc.).
4 Cards belonging to expansions are fully compatible with the base set, with the exception of banned
or limited cards, which can be used only in specific formats (e.g. “Magic: the Gathering”
tournaments).
5 Rules of play have some random mechanisms: decks are shuffled and the starting hand of the
player is always different.
6 To avoid cheating, card backs are normally identical, or there is a limited number of backs, each for
every cards type (e.g. Dynasty and Fate different backs in “The Legend of the 5 Rings” CCG).
7 Cards are sold in sealed decks and boosters, which contain a limited subset of the cards available in
that specific expansion set.
8 Cards in decks and boosters have different rarities (usually, there are three levels of rarity:
common, uncommon and rare). There can be also "fixed" cards, available only in decks. Rarity level
can be shown with specific symbols (in many games, a star«).
9 The distribution of cards in starters and boosters is random, but there are some common rules (e.g.,
a 15 cards booster might have 1 rare, 3 uncommon and 11 common cards; or, there is a foil every 6
boosters, and so on).
10 Cards have a standard format (3.5”x 2.5”, about 89 x 64 mm.). A smaller format (carddas) is also
frequently used, typically in Japanese CCG. Sometimes, cards have special formats (e.g. “Heresy” or
“Baseball 3010” CCG).
N.B. Rules in italics (6-10) are optional: a game is considered a real CCG/TCG even if those rules are not fully respected:
there are games without levels of rarity but clearly collectible (e.g. “Arcadia”), while the lack of expansions can be
explained with a commercial failure.
Game Life/Status
UP Upcoming (to be released)
A Alive and kickin' (active gameplay, last release printed less than 1 year ago)
D Dead or sleeping (discontinued, last release/expansion printed more than 12 months ago)
NR Never released (game announced, but not published)
Cards Size
N Normal (89 x 64 mm) - Standard format. Example: Magic or Pokémon.
C Carddas (86 x 59 mm) - Smaller format. Example: Yu-Gi-Oh!
W Widevision (120,65 x 63,5 mm) - Longer format. Example: Heresy.
S Special - Other formats, smaller or larger.
Distribution/Packaging
S Starters
Sealed packages of cards, designed to serve as the beginning of a collection. Starters include
rulebooks, as well as other accessories required to play (e.g. dice, counters or playmats).
They usually have a fairly large number of cards (50-60), fixed or randomly assorted. Packaging
typically includes a box, so that the cards can be carried without need for additional card storage.
A Albums
The starter is an empty binder/album with a few cards, the rules of play and (normally) a complete
checklist. This is typical of many Sport games ("Adrenalyn XL" or "Match Attax" various CCG) which
do not foresee expansion sets.
BS Boxed Starters/Sets
Pre-constructed starter decks, designed to be played by themselves, or through constructed play
with expansions. All cards are fixed.
B BoostersSealed packages of cards, designed to add to a player's collection or deck. Booster packs
generally contain a relatively small number of items (5–20 cards), randomly assorted.
VM Vending Machines
Boosters or single cards are sold in special vending machines, especially in Japan (carddas).
Typology
CCG Collectible (or Customizable) Card Games
See Cardinal Rules for an explanation. Also known as TCG (Trading/Tradable Card Games).
DBG Deck-Building Games
Instead of randomized starter decks and booster packs, DBG have fixed core sets and expansion
packs. Also known as LCG (Living Card Games), a Fantasy Flight Games registered trademark.
CGA Arcade Card Games
(Arcade) CCG that are played on arcade machines with printed card sets (Japan mainly).
PCG Pseudo-Collectible Card Games
Games that look like CCG but which do not comply to the main Cardinal Rules.
On Line On Line Card Games
Some printed cards are available, but games can only be played on line.
CDG Collectible Disk Games
Instead of cards, disks in different sizes and shapes. Starters and boosters available.
CSG Constructible Strategy Games
Tabletop strategy games employing pieces assembled from components. Sold in starters and
boosters with “cards”, often disguised as CCG.
CMG Constructible Miniatures Game
Miniature wargaming similar to collectible card games but played with miniature figures. Printed
cards are also usually available as a game supplement.
Dice Collectible Dice Games
After the success of CCG, a small number of collectible dice games have been produced, and
sometimes they have been confused with CCG.
Category (What Are We Talking About?)

FA Fantasy (Sword&Sorcery/Medieval)
Themes and scenarios set in a fictional Medieval world. Magic and other supernatural features are
often used.
FT Fantasy Techno (Modern/Future)
Themes and scenarios set in a present or near future world. Magic and other supernatural features
are also used.
SF Science Fiction
Set in the future, commonly use advanced technologies (weapons, starships) as player resources.
SH Super Heroes
Set in present of near-future times, heroes with super powers fight against villains.
TA Teen-Agers (Anime and Manga)
They have rather simple rules, geared towards young adults. Usually, based upon movies or
comics/manga.
SP Sports and Martial Arts
Based upon rules of existing sports, they often rely on real championships but can also be set in a
fictional world.
MG Military and War Games
They describe military actions/battles, from ancient times to present or even future ages.
SG Strategy
Resource management games, where players are encouraged to develop and manage complex
systems.
PA Parody and Humor
Games with themes and gameplay that should provoke laughter and amusement.
PG Party Games
Games that encourage social interaction, with easy setups and simple rules.
CH Children Games
They have simple rules and elementary themes, geared towards younger players.
ED Educational
They are designed to teach people about a specific subject, usually nature or other environmental
topics.
RL Religious
They are specifically designed to teach people about a chosen religion/faith (Christian, normally).
OT Other
Games which do not belong to any of the above mentioned categories.
Source (Where Does It Come From?)

AN Anime or Manga
Based on manga or anime, usually Japanese.
CO Comics, Strips or Cartoons
Based on comics or cartoons, usually American or European.
TV Movies, TV Series or TV Shows
They follow the success of TV shows or movies. Usually cards have real pictures from the movies.
RP Role-Playing Games
Based on successful RPG or MMORPG, sometimes cards can be played on line.
VG Console, PC or Online Videogames
Based on successful electronic games (any platform).
CH Sports (Championships)
Based on real sports championships, often reprinted for several seasons/years.
GA Board or Card Games
Based on already printed table games.
BO Books or Novels
Based on books or other published literary sources.
HI History or Mythology
Based on ancient history or myths.
OR Original Game
New environment, specifically designed for the CCG.
Age/Time (When Is It Set?)

AN Ancient/Medieval Age
Set in an ancient world with cutting weapons, magical creatures and supernatural powers.
MO Modern Era
Set in a modern world with gun-powder weapons.
CO Contemporary Age
Post-War World II setting.
FU Future
Set in a future world with starships, laser weapons and other advanced technologies.
IW Imaginary World
Set in a completely fictional world.

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