The Associated Press interviewed The Pokémon Company International's Spokesman Rob Novickas who revealed that the tournament has given out over two million dollars in scholarships since 2004. Thousands of Pokémon Trading Card and Video Game fans have flocked to Washington D.C. to battle it out for a chance at the invitation-only Pokémon World Championships.

The 2013 Juniors Video Game World Champion Brendan Zheng was interviewed and stated he was a bit nervous this time and was more prepared than he was at nationals as he build his team the day before for that tournament. He has spent two or three weeks building his team for worlds. 2013 Masters Video Game World Champion Arash Ommati was also interviewed briefly and he said he likes to work a lot and will do his best when the competition starts.

Associated Press Interview Video

Source: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0BYEd81dyvo

To celebrate the release of the latest Pokémon TCG expansion set Furious Fists, the official TCG website has created the Fighting-Type Face-Off! Each week from August 12th, 2014 until September 23rd, 2014, visitors can vote for their favorites.


Source: http://www.pokemontcgxy.com/en-us/fighting-type-face-off

The XY TCG expansion Furious Fists will be released on August 13th, 2014 and it has been revealed that 2 new blister packs will also be released on that day. The XY 14 promo card Trevenant pack also comes with a Xerneas coin while the XY 15 promo card Slurpuff pack comes with a Yveltal coin.

The Pokémon TCG: XY Phantom Forces TCG expansion was released on November 5th, 2014. Pictures from the press release have been added to an Imageboard thread.

XY Phantom Forces

Mega Gengar-EX and Mega Manectric-EX make their debut in the upcoming XY—Phantom Forces expansion, in stores November 5! These powerful Pokémon are joined by a host of strategic cards, including more Pokémon-EX, many tough Psychic-type and Metal-type Pokémon, and even the mysterious Diancie.


Key features of Pokémon TCG: XY – Phantom Forces include:

• Two new Mega Pokémon-EX cards—The expansion features the incredibly powerful Mega Gengar-EX and Mega Manectric-EX.
• Seven new Pokémon-EX cards and four new full-art Pokémon-EX Rare Ultra cards—New Pokémon-EX cards include Gengar-EX, Manectric-EX, Malamar-EX, Florges-EX, Dialga-EX, and Aegislash-EX.
• New “Full Metal” Dialga-EX—Special card features etched artwork and solid “metal” color.
• Diancie’s Pokémon TCG debut—The Mythical Pokémon Diancie appears in the Pokémon TCG for the very first time.
• Seven “Team Flare” Trainer cards and two special “Team Flare Hyper Gear” Pokémon Tool cards—Seven Trainer cards feature Team Flare members like Lysandre and Xerosic. The two Team Flare Hyper Gear Pokémon Tool cards can be used to hinder opponent’s Pokémon, the first such cards in the Pokémon TCG.

Source: https://www.pokemon.com/us/pokemon-tcg/xy-phantom-forces

Pokémon Trading Card Game: XY–Phantom Forces expansion out now!

Pokémon TCG: XY—Phantom Forces, the latest expansion in the TCG: XY series is available for fans to add to their collection now. With 10-card booster packs and two theme decks, Burning Winds and Bolt Twister, there are more than 100 new cards to collect.

The Mythical Pokémon Diancie makes its debut, along with two new Mega Pokémon-EX, Mega Gengar-EX and Mega Manectric-EX, as well as six new Pokémon-EX cards, including Gengar-EX, Manectric-EX, Malamar-EX, Florges-EX, Dialga-EX, and Aegislash-EX. There are also four new full-art Pokémon-EX Rare Ultra cards and a “Full Metal” Dialga-EX card.

Seven Trainer cards, including Team Flare members Lysandre and Xerosic, are available, plus two Team Flare Hyper Gear Pokémon Tool cards that can be used to hinder your opponent’s Pokémon—the first cards of this type in the Pokémon TCG!

Source: https://pokemon.gamespress.com/Pokemon-Trading-Card-Game-XYPhantom-Forces-expansion-out-now

Pokémon TCG: XY Phantom Forces Elite Trainer Box

The Pokémon TCG: XY Phantom Forces Elite Trainer Box was released on November 5th, 2014. Go into battle fully prepared with the Pokémon TCG: XY—Phantom Forces Elite Trainer Box! This Elite Trainer Box comes with all you need to show that you’re ready to win, including high-quality damage counters and condition markers. It also includes a set of card sleeves with a spooky Mega Gengar design, plus a player’s guide that highlights great cards from the XY—Phantom Forces expansion. With help from the Pokémon TCG: XY—Phantom Forces Elite Trainer Box, your opponents might not stand a ghost of a chance!


In each XY—Phantom Forces Elite Trainer Box, you will find:

• 8 Pokémon TCG: XY—Phantom Forces booster packs
• 65 card sleeves featuring Mega Gengar
• 45 Pokémon TCG Energy cards
• A player’s guide to the XY—Phantom Forces expansion
• 6 damage-counter dice
• 1 competition-legal coin-flip die
• 2 acrylic condition markers
• A collector’s box to hold everything, with 4 dividers to keep it organized

Source: https://www.pokemon.com/us/pokemon-tcg/product-gallery/xy-phantom-forces-elite-trainer-box

The official Pokémon website has announced the Play! Pokémon 2015 Season TCG Format Rotation. The rotation rules go into effect on September 3, 2014 but the 2015 season started on July 14, 2014. Additional expansions become legal three weeks after they are released in the United States.

Standard Format 2015

The Standard format for the 2015 season will consist of the following expansions:
Black & White Boundaries Crossed, Black and White Plasma Storm, Black and White Plasma Freeze, Black and White Plasma Blast, Black and White Legendary Treasures, XY Kalos Starter Set, XY, XY Flashfire, XY Furious Fists, McDonald’s Collection, Black Star Promo Cards: BW55 and higher, XY01 and higher.

The New Expanded Format for 2015

Starting on September 3, the new Expanded format will be joining the familiar Standard format as a legal option for sanctioned Pokémon TCG events of all sizes. This new format will allow players to use all expansions from Black and White on, so players will have even more options when designing a winning deck! Players should double-check what format is being used before deciding which deck to bring to their local events.

The Expanded format for the 2015 season will consist of the following expansions:
Black and White, Black and White Emerging Powers, Black and White Noble Victories, Black and White Next Destinies, Black and White Dark Explorers, Black and White Dragon Vault, Black and White Dragons Exalted, Black and White Boundaries Crossed, Black and White Plasma Storm, Black and White Plasma Freeze, Black and White Plasma Blast, Black and White Legendary Treasures, XY Kalos Starter Set, XY, XY Flashfire, XY Furious Fists, McDonald’s Collection, Black Star Promo Cards: BW01 and higher, XY01 and higher.

Source: http://www.pokemon.com/us/pokemon-news/play-pokemon-2015-season-format-rotation/

The Great Pikachu Outbreak! at Yokohama Minato Mirai (ピカチュウ大量発生チュウ！ at 横浜みなとみらい) was announced on the official Japanese Pokémon website. The will take place from August 9th, 2014 until August 17th, 2014 at Yokohama Minato Mirai. Various festivities will take place at the event which focuses on Pikachu. A Pikachu will be distributed at different locations and its OT is different depending on where it is received.

Pikachu Event Distribution Locations

• Yokohama Landmark Tower (横浜ランドマークタワー)
• Yokohama Red Brick Warehouse (横浜赤レンガ倉庫)
• Cosmo World (よこはまコスモワールド)
• Restaurant ship "Royal Wing" (レストラン船「ロイヤルウイング」)
• Nippon Maru Memorial Park (日本丸メモリアルパーク)
• Pacifico Yokohama (パシフィコ横浜)

A blue Rookie Pikachu Tretta and a promo Pikachu XY TCG cards will also be given out. There are different card designs but they will be announced in the future.


Source: http://www.pokemon.co.jp/ex/pthc/

Commercial

Source: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7aVcisdS8X0

The official Japanese Pokémon Trading Card website has revealed this years Commemorative TCG Packages for the 17th movie. Four separate packages will be available for purchase. The Xerneas and Yveltal packages will sell for 900yen plus tax each and feature 6 booster packs, a special promo card and 1 Buyer limited campaign application postcard.

The first Diancie cards have also been revealed and there will be two separate packages featuring Diancie bonus cards. The Diancie packages will sell for 600yen plus tax each and feature 4 booster packs, a special promo card and 1 Buyer limited campaign application postcard.


The application postcard can be used to enter a special lottery where 1000 people will receive a package of Pokémon Trading Card goods. The campaign goes from July 19th, 2014 until September 1st, 2014.

Source: http://www.pokemon-card.com/products/xy/movie2014.html

The third XY Pokémon Trading Card Game Furious Fists was officially announced to the public today and two Lucario cards were revealed. Details about the set were revealed last month to distributors.

Pokémon TCG: XY—Furious Fists is the latest expansion to the Pokémon Trading Card Game franchise

Pokémon TCG: XY—Furious Fists is the latest expansion to the Pokémon Trading Card Game franchise. Booster packs and theme decks—Dark Hammer and Enchanted Echo—will be available in stores on August 13, 2014, bringing more than 110 new cards to collect and play.

Key Features of the Pokémon TCG: XY—Furious Fists Expansion:

• Two new Mega Evolution Pokémon— The expansion features the incredibly powerful Mega Lucario-EX and Mega Heracross-EX.
• Five new Pokémon-EX cards and four new full-art Pokémon-EX rare Ultra cards—New Pokémon-EX cards include Hawlucha-EX, Lucario-EX, Seismitoad-EX, Heracross-EX, and Dragonite-EX.
• New Fossil Pokémon from the Kalos region—Fossil Pokémon from the Kalos region like Tyrunt, Tyrantrum, Amaura, and Aurorus make their Pokémon TCG debut.
• 18 new Trainer Cards, including three new full-art rare Ultra Trainer cards— New Trainer cards like Korrina (a Gym Leader in the Pokémon X and Pokémon Y video games), Focus Sash, and more bring increased depth and player strategy to competitive battles.
• Booster packs—Packs of 10 additional cards selected from the expansion will be available.
• Two new theme decks—60-card preconstructed decks are designed to introduce players to the Pokémon TCG by enabling them to play right away.

XY—Furious Fists theme decks and booster packs include an in-pack code card that unlocks virtual cards from the XY—Furious Fists expansion for play in the Pokémon Trading Card Game Online at www.pokemon.co.uk/tcgo.

The official Korean Pokémon website has announced the details for another Pokémon World Championship 2014 Qualification Tournament (포켓몬 월드챔피언십2014 대한민국 대표 선발전) which takes place as part of the Pokémon Day (포켓몬데이) festivities on July 5th, and 6th, 2014. The previous Pokémon Town events were postponed in Korea due to the ferry incident, so this will be one of the last times players in Korea will be able to qualify for the 2014 Pokémon World Championships. The festivities and tournament will take place on the 10th floor of the Yeongdeungpo Lotte Department Store (롯데백화점 영등포점) in Seoul, South Korea. Five major events will take place during the Pokémon Day festivities and the details of each are listed below.

Event 1 - Tournaments

Pokémon 2014 World Championship Second Qualifying Round, Elimination Rounds and Finals
Pokémon Card Game: July 5th 11:00 to 18:00
Pokémon Video Games: July 6th 11:00 to 18:00

Event 2 - Pokémon Stamp Rally

Dates: July 5th to July 6th 11:00 to 18:00
Location: 11th floor roof of the Yeongdeungpo Lotte Department Store
The event is hosted on a first-come-first-served basis and raffle prizes will be distributed when the event ends. People may only participate in the Stamp Rally once and rain may cause a change of venue.

Event 3 - Learn the Basics of the Pokémon Card Game

Dates: July 5th: 12:00 to 18:00 and July 6th: 13:00 to 18:00
Location: 10th floor of Yeongdeungpo Lotte Department Store - Cultural Hall

Event 4 - Nintendo 3DS Pocket Monster X and Y Pokémon Event Gift Distribution

Dates: July 5th to July 6th: 12:00 to 18:00
Location: 10th floor of Yeongdeungpo Lotte Department Store - Cultural Hall
Players require a Nintendo 3DS with a Korean copy of Pocket Monster X or Y

Event 5 - Pokémon Picture Taking

Attendees can take pictures together with Pokémon and friends.

Mega Distribution Details

Picture	Pokémon	Details
		Pokémon: Sseondeobolteu (썬더볼트) Level: 50 Ability: Lightning Rod Moves: Overheat, Thunderbolt, Volt Switch and Protect Item: Manectite Game: Pokémon X Distribution Date: July 5th, 2014
		Pokémon: Magiraseu (마기라스) Level: 50 Ability: Sand Stream Moves: Rock Slide, Earthquake, Crunch and Stone Edge Item: Tyranitarite Game: Pokémon X Distribution Date: July 5th, 2014
		Pokémon: Ppeusaijeo (쁘사이저 ) Level: 50 Ability: Moxie Moves: Earthquake, Swords Dance, Feint and Quick Attack Item: Pinsirite Game: Pokémon Y Distribution Date: July 5th, 2014
		Pokémon: Herakeuroseu (헤라크로스) Level: 50 Ability: Guts Moves: Pin Missile, Bullet Seed, Earthquake and Rock Blast Item: Heracronite Game: Pokémon X Distribution Date: July 6th, 2014
		Pokémon: Helga (헬가) Level: 50 Ability: Flash Fire Moves: Flamethrower, Dark Pulse, Solar Beam and Sludge Bomb Item: Houndoominite Game: Pokémon Y Distribution Date: July 6th, 2014
		Pokémon: Boseurora (보스로라) Level: 50 Ability: Rock Head Moves: Iron Head, Earthquake, Rock Slide and Head Smash Item: Aggronite Game: Pokémon Y Distribution Date: July 6th, 2014

Sources: http://pokemonkorea.co.kr/?inc=news-news_view&IDX=10235. http://pokemonkorea.co.kr/?inc=news-news_view&IDX=10236 and http://pokemonkorea.co.kr/?inc=event-wcs2014gift-wcs2014_page

Japanese retails have posted the sell sheets for the 4th XY Pokémon Trading Card expansions. Phantom Gate (ファントムゲート) will be released on September 13th, 2014 and will have 88 cards plus an unannounced number of secret rare cards. The booster packs will contain 5 cards and will sell for 150yen plus tax.

The Hyper Metal Chain Deck Dialga EX + Gillgard EX (ハイパーメタルチェーンデッキ60 ディアルガEX + ギルガルドEX) will also be released on the same day for 1000yen plus tax. Deck boxes and card sleeves featuring Mega Gengar will also 362yen plus tax.