The Pokémon Company International has created a contest for players of the Nintendo 3DS program Pokémon Art Academy. The winners of the contest will receive a 100-card pack of custom-designed Pokémon Trading Card Game cards displaying their artwork. Contest Entry Period is from February 18th, 2015 until March 29th, 2015. Winners will be announced in April 2015 with the cards being distributed in Autumn 2015.

Press Release - Pokémon Art Academy Competition to find winners whose illustrations will be made into one-off Pokémon Trading Card Game cards

The Pokémon Company International invites Pokémon fans and budding illustrators to enter an International Pokémon Art Academy Contest via Miiverse. Pokémon Art Academy is available exclusively on Nintendo 3DS and Nintendo 2DS systems and offers aspiring Pokémon artists 40 lessons in how to paint, sketch, and draw popular Pokémon.

Students of Pokémon Art Academy can pick up illustration skills that they can transfer onto real canvas, or they can share their digital masterpieces with the world. Now, would-be artists can enter a special competition via Miiverse which allows them to showcase their talents as graduates of the Pokémon Art Academy!

The competition will open on 18 February 2015 at 00:01 GMT and close on 29 March 2015 at 23:59 GMT and the winners will be announced in May 2015.

This competition is an exciting opportunity for would-be Pokémon artists from around the world, as the contest’s winners will have their masterpiece turned into their very own Pokémon Trading Card Game card!

Six talented winners will be selected by a jury comprising some of the creators of the much-loved Pokémon universe. Each winner will receive 100 cards featuring their winning image–meaning that they will be in possession of some TCG cards of their own making.*

There are two categories for budding Pokémon artists to enter: Dress-Up Pikachu and My Favourite Pokémon.

Dress-Up Pikachu

Inspired by the special Cosplay Pikachu, which can be discovered in the recently launched Pokémon Omega Ruby and Pokémon Alpha Sapphire video games, this category gives entrants the chance to play fashion designer and create their very own Pikachu outfit!

In the Pokémon Omega Ruby and Pokémon Alpha Sapphire video games, Pikachu can dress up as Pikachu Belle; Pikachu Rock Star; Pikachu Pop Star; Pikachu, Ph.D.; and Pikachu Libre. Donning an array of new looks, Cosplay Pikachu can learn moves that ordinary Pikachu cannot learn in normal gameplay, and all have fun costumes that are sure to inspire the would-be costume designers who enter this category.

My Favourite Pokémon

This category gives entrants the chance to submit their own artistic impressions of a favourite Pokémon, which they can do using the Free Paint mode of Pokémon Art Academy. So, if Snorlax awakens an inner Leonardo da Vinci, or Rayquaza gets fans painting with flying colours, then this is their perfect category!

Details of how to enter can be found below, so all that remains is for Pokémon fans to grab a stylus and start discovering their inner artist with Pokémon Art Academy!

*The winners’ cards will not be made available for sale in regular Pokémon TCG products nor will they be eligible to take part in Play! Pokémon officially sanctioned organised play events.

Important Note on Regions

There will be three winners in each category across the participating countries. The following countries are included:

Australia, New Zealand, UK, Ireland, Austria, Germany, Switzerland, Belgium, France, Luxembourg, Portugal, Spain, the Netherlands, and Russia

The following country is excluded: Italy

How to Enter the Pokémon Art Academy Competition

· Create and save an image in Pokémon Art Academy using Free Paint mode.
· Select the “Share” option from Pokémon Art Academy’s main menu and connect to the Miiverse.
· Select the “Post to Competition” option and agree to the Terms of Use.
· Highlight the category you’d like to enter and then choose “Select Competition”. Only the first post you make will be recognised as your entry.
· Slide over the image and select it and then choose “Share Selected”.
· Enter a comment (if you would like to) and then select “Post”. The image will be posted to the Miiverse Community and entered into the competition.
· The only way to enter the competition directly is from the Pokémon Art Academy game, available exclusively for Nintendo 3DS and Nintendo 2DS systems.

Source: http://www.pokemon.com/us/pokemon-video-games/pokemon-art-academy/competition/

The official Pokémon website revealed the XY Primal Clash TCG expansion set on December 27th, 2014 and it was released on February 2nd, 2015. Pictures from the press release have been added to an Imageboard thread.

XY Primal Clash:

Ancient rivals awaken in the Pokémon TCG: XY Primal Clash expansion! After centuries asleep, the deep power of Primal Groudon EX erupts from the land as Primal Kyogre EX crashes in from the sea, riding titanic waves into battle! With colossal new arrivals like Mega Gardevoir EX and Mega Aggron EX, the XY Primal Clash expansion is alive with the primordial power of Ancient Traits—plus all-new Spirit Link and Special Energy cards. Let the earth shake and the oceans thunder, and get ready for a primal clash like no other!

Features of XY Primal Clash:

• Primal Reversion makes its TCG debut with Primal Kyogre EX and Primal Groudon EX
• 12 new Pokémon EX, including Sharpedo EX, Trevenant EX, Wailord EX, and Camerupt EX
• Ancient Traits, which give Pokémon certain advantages in battle, appear for the first time
• More than 25 Trainer cards, including four full-art rare Ultra cards and two Special Energy cards
• Two new theme decks: Earth’s Pulse and Ocean’s Core
• Each theme deck and booster pack contains a code card that unlocks digital cards from XY Primal Clash for play in the Pokémon Trading Card Game Online

Source: http://www.pokemon.com/us/pokemon-tcg/xy-primal-clash/explore-and-watch/

Pokémon TCG: XY—Primal Clash is the latest expansion to the Pokémon Trading Card Game franchise.

07/01/2015 - Pokémon TCG: XY—Primal Clash is the latest expansion to the Pokémon Trading Card Game franchise. Booster packs and theme decks—Earth’s Pulse and Ocean’s Core—will be available in stores on February 4, 2015, introducing more than 160 new cards to collect and play.

Key features of the Pokémon TCG: XY—Primal Clash expansion:

• Primal Reversion makes its TCG debut— This expansion introduces Primal Reversion to the TCG with Primal Kyogre-EX and Primal Groudon-EX.
• 12 new Pokémon-EX cards, each with a full-art rare Ultra version—New Pokémon-EX cards include Sharpedo-EX, Trevenant-EX, Wailord-EX, and Camerupt-EX, plus two new Mega Evolution Pokémon: Mega Aggron-EX and Mega Gardevoir-EX.
• Ancient Traits appear for the first time—Ancient Traits, which give certain advantages in battle, appear on 10% to 20% of Pokémon in XY—Primal Clash. Their function is similar to Abilities.
• 31 Trainer cards— Many brand-new Trainer cards, four full-art rare Ultra cards, four secret rare cards, and two Special Energy cards add new depth and tactics to the Pokémon TCG.
• Booster packs—Packs of 10 additional cards.
• Two new theme decks—60-card preconstructed decks are designed to introduce players to the Pokémon TCG by enabling them to play right away.

Source: https://pokemon.gamespress.com/Pokemon-Trading-Card-Game-XYPrimal-Clash-is-out-now

Pokémon TCG: Primal Groudon and Primal Kyogre Collections

The Pokémon TCG: Primal Groudon and Primal Kyogre Collections were released on March 4th, 2015. Get inspired by the power of Primal Reversion with the Pokémon TCG: Primal Groudon and Primal Kyogre Collections! Each box includes 4 Pokémon TCG booster packs, a fantastic sculpted figure, and a special foil card. Shake the earth with Primal Groudon, or rule the waves with Primal Kyogre!


The Pokémon TCG: Primal Groudon and Primal Kyogre Collections include:

• 1 of 2 special figures: Primal Groudon or Primal Kyogre
• 4 Pokémon TCG booster packs
• 1 of 2 special foil promo cards: Groudon or Kyogre

Source: https://www.pokemon.com/us/pokemon-tcg/product-gallery/xy-primal-groudon-and-primal-kyogre-collections

Japanese retailers have posted information on the first Pokémon TCG expansion for 2015 entitled: Emerald Break (エメラルドブレイク). The 78+ card set will be released in Japan on March 14th, 2015 and will feature Rayquaza EX and M Rayquaza EX. Booster packs will feature 5 cards for 150yen plus tax.

Also being released on the same day will be the Battle Deck 60 Mega Rayquaza EX (メガバトルデッキ60 MレックウザEX) which will feature numerous Rayquaza cards and Trainer cards. The 60 card set will cost 1,556 yen plus tax.

The Pokémon Company International in conjunction with GameStop have announced a new sweepstakes promotion for residents of the United States. From December 8th, 2013 until December 31th, 2014, patrons of GameStop will receive a code on their receipt when they purchase any participating Pokémon product at GameStop. Patrons can then enter the code at the MegaStop website and can unlock cool stuff for the Pokémon TCG Online.

Each code unlocks a digital booster pack from the latest expansion, Pokémon TCG: XY Phantom Forces, plus a deck box and matching card sleeves with 1 of 4 cool Mega Evolution designs. Each code also enters people into the MegaStop Sweepstakes, where they could win a limited edition Nintendo 3DS XL system with a special design. Those that enter two or more receipt codes before January 15, 2015 are eligible to win a VIP trip for four to Hawaii.


The following products are eligible for a code:

TRADING CARD GAME: Pokémon TCG XY1 Booster, Pokémon TCG XY2 Booster, Pokémon TCG XY3 Booster, Pokémon XY4 Booster, Pokémon TCG XY4 Deck, Pokémon EX Power Tins, Pokémon XY4 PreviewPak

TOYS: Pikachu 8in Plush, Squirtle 8in Plush, Bulbasaur 8in Plush, Charmader 8in Plush, Pokémon 1 Pack Mega Figure, Pokémon XY 2 Pack Figures, Pokémon XY Plush, 3.5in Pokémon Keychains, 18in Pokémon Plush, Pokémon XY Articulated Figures, Clip N Carry Poké Ball, Socks, Poké Ball All Over, Socks, Pikachu Chenille

STRATEGY GUIDES / ACCESSORIES: Pokémon Omega Ruby & Pokémon Alpha Sapphire: The Official Hoenn Region Strategy Guide, Pokémon X & Pokémon Y: The Official Kalos Region Pokédex & Postgame Adventure Guide, Pokémon X & Pokémon Y: The Official Kalos Region Guidebook, Poké Ball Zip Case

VIDEO GAMES: Pokémon X, Pokémon Y, Pokémon Omega Ruby, Pokémon Alpha Sapphire, Pokémon Art Academy, Pokémon Black, Pokémon Black Version 2, Pokémon Conquest, Pokémon HeartGold, Pokémon Mystery Dungeon: Gates to Infinity, Pokémon Ranger: Guardian Signs, Pokémon Rumble Blast, Pokémon SoulSilver, Pokémon Trozei, Pokémon White, Pokémon White Version 2

Source: http://www.pokemonmegastop.com/

The Gallade EX Box will be released worldwide in January 2015 and will include a large Gallade card.

Gallade EX Box Product Description

Master the art of Pokémon battling with Gallade-EX! The Pokémon TCG: Gallade-EX Box shows off the skill of this swift-striking Pokémon with a never-before-seen foil card and an awesome oversize card. And of course, as a Poké-mon-EX, the steadfast Blade Pokémon is a cut above! Expand your collection with the contents of 4 Pokémon TCG booster packs, and strike swift and true with the Gallade-EX Box today!

• Gallade-EX as a never-before-seen foil card
• 4 Pokémon TCG booster packs
• A special oversize card featuring Gallade-EX
• A BONUS code card for the Pokémon TCG Online!

A new 34 card set for the Japanese Pokémon Card Game has been revealed called Magma Gang VS Aqua Gang Double Crisis (マグマ団VSアクア団 ダブルクライシス) and it will be released on January 30th, 2015. Booster packs will include 6 cards instead of 5 which is normally the number of cards included but each booster pack will include a holo card. Booster packs will cost 186yen + tax for this set.


A Double Crisis Value Set (ダブルクライシスバリューセット) will also be released on January 30th, 2015 for 510yen plus tax. It will include: 2 Double Crisis Booster Packs, a box with Groudon/Magma Gang and Kyogre/Aqua Gang artwork and 5 Energy card.

Over-Lap has announced a new book called the Pokémon Card Game Illust Collection (ポケモンカードゲーム イラストコレクション). The book features the history of the Pokémon Card Game from its debut in 1996 up to the present day XY series. The book will cost 2000yen plus tax and is 192 color pages. The ISBN-10: 4865540199 and the ISBN-13: 978-4865540192.

Book Features:

1. Over 200 carefully selected card illustrations are in the book from the more than 8,000 cards that now exist.
2. Learn how to draw Pokémon taught by a Professional: The process of how to draw illustrations for the Pokémon Card Game
3. Two Card Exclusive for the book: Rayquaza and Dress-up Pikachu Pikachu
4. Interview featuring the Creative Team: Mitsuhiro Arita (有田満弘), Kagemaru Himeno (姫野かげまる氏), Ken Sugimori (杉森建氏), Junichi Masuda (増田順一氏) and Ishihara Tsunekazu (石原恒和氏) [SIC]

Source: http://over-lap.co.jp/book/card/ and http://www.amazon.co.jp/dp/4865540199/

To celebrate the launch of Pokémon Omega Ruby and Pokémon Alpha Sapphire, beginning on November 1st, 2014, a new campaign called Pokémon Scrap (ポケモンスクラップ) will begin. Pokémon Scrap is a vouchers system and cards are included with certain physical real world Pokémon products which can be redeemed for virtual item unlocks that can be used in ORAS. Players can begin to collect the required scrap card serials starting on November 1st, 2014 but they can only be entered for redeemable ORAS codes from December 1st, 2014 until April 30th, 2015. Players can begin to collect over 50 different Scrap Cards. Players need to register on the official campaign site and enter their email address in order to participate.

How to Use Pokémon Scrap Cards

On the back of each scrap card is a unique serial code that can be entered on the official Pokémon Scrap campaign site. One you register the serial number, the next tier level is unlocked. Not every tier level contains an unlockable gift though. However, you won't get just one mythical Pokémon. As you collect the scraps, you'll receive up to three mythical Pokémon and five items to help you on your adventure! At each gift tier, a unique Pokémon Omega Ruby and Pokémon Alpha Sapphire serial code will be given which player can use to unlock the gift in the game.


To avoid confusion, 0 (zero), 1 (one), B (Letter), I (Letter), O (Letter) and V (Letter) are not used in any Pokémon Omega Ruby and Pokémon Alpha Sapphire serial codes. If a code is incorrectly entered ten times, players will be locked out temporarily for 24 hours before they can try again.

Unlockable Gifts

Each gift needs a certain number of scrap card codes entered to unlock. Shaymin requires 1, Nugget requires 3, Super Potion requires 5, Keldeo requires 7, Luxuy Ball requires 10, Rare Candy requires 13, Victini requires 16 and the Master Ball requires 20 codes.

Eligible Items

The following product will contain Pokémon Scrap cards with serial numbers. Each product contains only 1 serial code.

• Gaia Volcano and Tidal Storm XY TCG Booster Packs - Available starting on December 13th, 2014
• PokéPan ORAS Strawberry - Specially marked packages starting November 1st, 2014
• Pokémon Vegetable Snacks
• Pokémon Tretta Strengthening Power Set 10 Pack- Available starting on December 26th, 2015
• 3D Pencil Case - Available in early December
• Pokémon Seasoning Mini Pack and Pokémon Curry Pork and Sweet Corn
• McDonald's Happy Sets January 2015
• Namco Arcade Shops - December 5th, 2014 until January 20th, 2015

McDonald's January 2015 Happy Set - Pokémon Scrap Special Gifts

As an added bonus, on January 10th, 11th and 12th, 2015, a Pokémon Scrap serial code card was distributed with each Happy Set purchased.


Source: http://www.pokemon.co.jp/ex/pokescrap2014/

The Pokémon Company International announced a lot of new license deals with merchandise companies today in Europe. Below is the press release with the full details.

European Licensing Programme takes shape with new team at The Pokémon Company International

Evergreen brand going strong with the launch of Pokémon Omega Ruby and Pokémon Alpha Sapphire on November 28, multimillion-euro marketing campaign planned, and numerous licensees on board London, UK—October 6, 2014—The Pokémon Company International announced today several new deals with European licensees. Ten new deals have been confirmed with players as diverse as:

· Arguydal: Food & Drinks
· Aventure Diffusion: Footwear
· Bon Bon Buddies: Confections
· Cartorama: Back-to-School Supplies
· Fashion UK: Apparel
· GB eye: Posters, Wall Art & Accessories
· HORI: Video Game Accessories
· RDS Industries: Video Game Accessories
· Vadobag: Back-to-School Supplies
· Winning Moves: Board Games

These new European licensees join existing partners such as global master toy partner TOMY, whose range includes figures, feature figures, role play and plush, Ultra PRO for trading card game accessories, Sun City for apparel, CTI for bedding, and CyP for back-to-school supplies.

The recent wave of partnerships was spearheaded by a newly established European Market Development team at The Pokémon Company International in London, responsible for licensing, retail, and brand promotions across the continent. The team is headed by Mathieu Galante and has just been expanded by the arrival of Samantha Mortimore and Romina Ialongo. The team will be meeting prospective partners throughout the Brand Licensing Europe 2014 expo at The Pokémon Company International Stand (F070).

“Following the enormous success of Pokémon X and Pokémon Y, which launched on Nintendo 3DS a year ago, and the subsequent introduction of the latest Trading Card Game generation, Pokémon TCG: XY, we’re enjoying a large resurgence in sales and interest in the brand. And across CITV, Netflix, and Disney XD and on iTunes, the TV show is being watched by a huge and ever-growing following,” said Marketing Director Anthony Cornish.

“The newly expanded Market Development team, based in our European headquarters in Chiswick, has been hard at work bringing on board new partners, and we’re very excited to announce the first wave of new partners who will help us bring world-class consumer products to our passionate fans,” added Mathieu Galante, Senior Manager of Marketing Development.

The expansion of the European licensing programme follows a period of growth for the Pokémon brand globally. Pokémon has enjoyed a stellar year following the launch of Pokémon X and Pokémon Y in October 2013 with combined sales of nearly 12 million copies globally in the first four months. Today it is one of the most successful video game franchises of all time, with more than 260 million games sold worldwide since its launch in 1996.

The Pokémon Trading Card Game perennially remains the market leader in trading card games worldwide—more than 21.5 billion cards have been shipped to 74 countries in 10 languages. Recent NPD reports from the UK market have suggested that sales of the Pokémon Trading Card Game (TCG) have risen in 2014 by 51%. New Pokémon TCG expansions launch regularly throughout the year, and the next expansion, Pokémon TCG: XY—Phantom Forces, is set to hit stores in early November.

Future projects for The Pokémon Company International and its partners include the launch of the much anticipated video games Pokémon Omega Ruby and Pokémon Alpha Sapphire for the Nintendo 3DS and Nintendo 2DS systems on November 28, 2014 . This title is a fresh take on Pokémon Ruby and Pokémon Sapphire, which launched in 2003 and were fan favourites for the Game Boy Advance system. The launch will be supported by a multimillion-euro marketing campaign.

The Pokémon Company International will be exhibiting at BLE this year at stand F070.

The Pokémon Company International uploaded the Pokémon TCG Online app to the Apple App Store on iTunes on September 26th, 2014. The Version number is: 2.23.0 and the download size is: 504 MB. The app is free but requires iOS 7.0 or later and a compatible iPad. The app was revealed at the 2014 Pokémon World Championships.

PLAY, TRADE, AND CHALLENGE OTHER PLAYERS AROUND THE WORLD

Have fun learning and mastering the Pokémon Trading Card Game Online! Practice against the computer or go head to head with your friends or other players from around the world. Unlock cards and decks as you play to build up your collection and make truly unique decks. Your decks and card collection are stored as a part of your Pokémon Trainer Club account, allowing you to switch between iPad and desktop with ease.

EASY TO START: Choose from Grass, Fire, or Water decks, step right into a game, and learn as you go in an easy play experience.

EXPAND YOUR COLLECTION: Earn cards, open booster packs, trade with other players, and build the perfect deck around your favorite cards. Your collection grows with you!

CUSTOMIZE YOUR EXPERIENCE: Build your own decks, customize the look of your cards, deck boxes, and avatar, and join your friends online.

HONE YOUR SKILLS: Play against the computer until you are ready to challenge other players.

CHALLENGE THE WORLD: When you feel your deck design is ready, challenge other players or join a tournament to show your skill and knowledge.

**An Internet connection and an iPad with Retina display (iPad mini with Retina display, iPad 3 or newer) are required for use.**

Card Languages Supported:

• English
• Français
• Deutsch
• Español (Europa)
• Italiano
• Português (Brazilian)
• Русский

UI Languages Supported:

• English
• Français
• Deutsch
• Español (Europa)
• Italiano
• Português (Brazilian)
• Nederlands
• Svenska
• Dansk
• Norske
• Suomi
• Русский

Source: https://itunes.apple.com/ca/app/pokemon-tcg-online/id841098932?mt=8