A collaboration with organised play specialist Tournament Center will see retailers across the country offer Disney Lorcana League play from launch, while Asmodee has been appointed to support distribution.
Ravensburger is encouraging interested retailers to sign up now for the Disney Lorcana organised play programme ahead of the 2nd June (Friday) closing date, as excitement mounts for the launch on August 18th of the hugely anticipated new Disney trading card game. MD Richard Collins spoke to Toy World to explain more about the upcoming launch.
The company is placing a major emphasis on community, right from launch. TCG and Disney fans alike reportedly can’t wait to get their hands on the game when it launches: already, the Lorcana Instagram account has 16,500 followers and counting. TCG enthusiasts will have an early opportunity to see Disney Lorcana: The First Chapter and accompanying accessories at the UK Games Expo (UKGE) from 2nd-4th June, which takes place at the Birmingham NEC. Ryan Miller, co-designer and brand manager, Disney Lorcana, will be at UKGE to play the game with fans and discuss its development.
To build the Disney Lorcana community further, Ravensburger is collaborating with organised play specialist Tournament Center to offer fans League play from launch. Tournament Center is a gaming and esports agency with an extensive network, expert knowledge and a motivated team of gaming enthusiasts with over 20 years of gaming and live event experience. The agency already works on other major organised play events including the Yu-Gi-Oh! World Championship and Pokémon Europe International Championships.
“When we started looking into organised play, one name came up again and again – Tournament Center,” explains Ravensburger UK & Ireland MD Richard Collins, speaking exclusively to Toy World. “Our online portal is currently open and the response so far has been amazing, but the deadline is 8pm BST this Friday so those retailers who want to get involved are encouraged to apply (or complete their applications) ASAP. We know there’s a lot of passion out there among future players so this is an exciting opportunity to be a part of the organised play programme from the very beginning.”
Details on how to apply can be found here. Ravensburger says all interested retailers are invited to apply, but that certain criteria need to be met in terms of play space. All the details can be found online. Tournament Center will both advise Ravensburger on which stores offer the best organised play proposition, and help chosen stores prepare for League events.
The DisneyLorcana.com website, which will also host a store locator so fans of the TCG can find their local stockist, reads: “Qualifying local game stores may receive a kit of promo cards, pins, and other prizes they can use to host tournaments or support League play. In League play, participants collect points by playing (win or lose), bringing a friend to game night, or teaching someone the rules. Kit materials may be awarded to players with the highest point totals. One kit will support a full 12-week season of league play.”
Asmodee, meanwhile, has been appointed to support the distribution of the Disney Lorcana trading card game to the hobby channel. The collaboration with Asmodee, which itself is a specialist in gaming including the Pokémon trading card game, will ensure Disney Lorcana is as accessible and far reaching as possible. Asmodee will be distributing to the hobby channel ahead of the 18th August launch of the TCG. Retailers are advised to contact their rep for information on how to secure stock.
Richard adds: “For us, it’s all about forming collaborations with experts in their fields – such as Asmodee and Tournament Center – and creating a community where players can come together and celebrate their love of Disney Lorcana with likeminded new friends.”
