The Pokémon TCG Online has begun testing a new currency for purchases in game. Gems will allow players to purchase digital in game items. Currently the Gem's test is open to players in Canada only, but will expand to other countries after the testing phase. Players can purchase gems with PayPal or credit card.

Gems Testing Begins

posted: April 18, 2013 by: Prof_Mathis

In addition to the other exciting features released in this month’s Pokémon TCG Online game update, we are beginning the initial testing phase for Gems. For testing purposes, we are limiting the scope of this rollout to players in Canada. We’ve created the FAQ below to cover some of the basics of Gems.

What are Gems?
Gems offer players a new way to obtain digital items in the Pokémon TCG Online game. Working in tandem with the code cards found in physical Pokémon TCG products and booster packs received from the Daily Login Bonus, Gems offer players even more options to expand their online collection.

How can I get Gems?
As part of this test, players in Canada can purchase Gems with real money by visiting the Buy Gems page on the Pokémon TCG Online website.

What can I buy with Gems?
During this test, the Shop will contain digital booster packs and theme decks from the Pokémon TCG: Black & White series.

Who can buy Gems?
Gem purchases are only available to players in Canada during this testing phase. These players must have the “Shopping” option in their Pokémon.com Trainer Club account set to “Open.” These settings can be found on the Account Preferences page.

Why can’t I buy Gems in my country?
The introduction of Gems to the Pokémon TCG Online marks the first time that the online game has directly accepted real money from its players. Adding Gems is a significant and complex step for the game. We want to ensure we get it right. Limiting the testing of Gems to a single market allows us to evaluate and refine our systems in a more controlled live environment than would be available with a simultaneous global release.

Sources: http://www.pokemontcg.com/news/?p=527#more-527 and http://www.pokemontcg.com/buygems

The Pokémon TCG: Black & White Plasma Freeze TCG expansion was released on May 8th, 2013. Pictures from this set have been added to an Imageboard thread.

Black & White Plasma Freeze

Team Plasma’s frosty assault on Unova continues in the Pokémon TCG: Black & White—Plasma Freeze expansion, in stores now! The struggle will be bitter as Team Plasma releases a blizzard of Team Plasma Pokémon, including Deoxys-EX, Thundurus-EX, and all of Eevee’s evolutions, backed by Team Plasma Energy, Item, and Supporter cards. But, with the Legendary Eon Pokémon Latios and Latias standing by your side and a host of Pokémon-EX ready to do battle, your opponents will find that now is the winter of their discontent! Don’t miss all-new ACE SPEC cards in the latest expansion, as well—cards so effective that you can carry only one of them in your whole deck!


Pokémon TCG: Black & White—Plasma Freeze is the newest expansion to the Pokémon Trading Card Game and is in stores now, bringing more than 110 new cards to collect and play.


Key Features of Pokémon TCG: Black & White—Plasma Freeze:

• More than 110 cards in all
• Team Plasma cards with unique blue borders and Plasma shields adorning each card
• Six powerful new Pokémon-EX cards including Deoxys-EX, Thundurus-EX, Latios-EX, and Latias-EX
• Two new ACE SPEC cards to choose from!

Source: https://www.pokemon.com/us/pokemon-tcg/black-white-plasma-freezet

Theme Decks - Frost Ray and Psy Crusher

The Pokémon TCG: Black and White - Plasma Freeze expansion will also feature two theme decks: Frost Ray Theme Deck and Psy Crusher Theme Deck.

Press Release

The Pokémon TCG: Black and White—Plasma Freeze expansion is the newest addition to the Pokémon Trading Card Game and will be available in stores from May 8, bringing more than 110 new cards to collect and play.

Key Features of the Pokémon TCG: Black and White—Plasma Freeze expansion:

• Team Plasma cards—A unique blue border and Team Plasma shield adorn each Team Plasma card.
• Six new Pokémon-EX cards and six full-art Pokémon-EX rare Ultra cards—New, powerful Pokémon-EX include Deoxys-EX, Thundurus-EX, Latios-EX, and Latias-EX.
• Two new ACE SPEC cards—Incredibly powerful Trainer cards. Only one ACE SPEC card is allowed in each player’s deck.
• Booster packs—Packs of 10 additional cards selected from the expansion.
• Theme decks—60-card preconstructed decks are designed to introduce players to the Pokémon TCG by enabling them to play right away.

During a commercial break in Pokémon Smash 124, the commercial for the new Japanese Pokémon Trading Card Game expansion Megalo Cannon (メガロキャノン) debuted. The commercial revealed new cards including: Chevargo, Shibibeel, Shibirudon, Plasma Gang's Okutank, Porygon and Porygon2.

Also revealed were the new Trainer items: G-Booster and G-Scope which attach to Genesect EX to get a new move. The ACE SPEC Master Ball was also revealed.

Commercial Video

The official Pokémon TCG Online website has revealed that starting in the new set Black & White—Plasma Storm which was released on February 6th, 2013, unlock codes in physical booster packs will only unlock cards from that set in the digital version of the game. Below are the full details.

Changes Coming to Pokémon TCG Online Code Redemptions!

Starting with the Pokémon Trading Card Game: Black & White series, specially marked booster packs have included a Pokémon TCG Online code card. These codes can be redeemed for booster credits in the Pokémon TCG Online shop, which can then be used to unlock digital booster packs from any expansion available in the online game.

During the early stages of beta testing, the booster credit method provided access to expansions that were in the online game but did not contain code cards: the HeartGold & SoulSilver series and the Call of Legends expansion. While complex, the booster credit system created a diverse card pool, allowing players to construct a wide array of exciting decks.

Now in its second year, the Pokémon TCG Online has 12 expansions available, with number 13 coming in February 2013: Black & White—Plasma Storm. As the card pool continues to deepen, the need for this complex booster credit system has decreased. Over the next 18 months, a more streamlined redemption process will be rolled out, making it easier than ever to get straight into the game.

Beginning with the Black & White—Plasma Storm expansion, each Pokémon TCG Online code card found in a booster pack will unlock a digital booster pack from the same expansion, rather than a booster credit. For now, code cards from earlier expansions will continue to unlock booster credits, which can be redeemed for any expansion released before Black & White—Plasma Storm that is currently available in the online game. When the transition is complete, unredeemed code cards from every Pokémon TCG expansion will unlock digital booster packs from the same expansion. Booster packs from expansions that do not contain code cards but are available in the online game will be available by other means.

Our goal is to complete this transition before the end of 2014. We will continue to keep the community informed via news articles as the transition progresses. Each article will outline the next step in the process and will be posted a minimum of 30 days before that next step goes into effect so these changes do not catch players by surprise.

Source: http://www.pokemontcg.com/news/?p=315

As we reported in October 2012, a new mini TCG set will be released in Japan on February 1st, 2013 called the Shiny Collection (シャイニーコレクション). The set is similar in style to the Dragon Selection released last year. The official site showcased some of these cards today which features a special Melonetta EX card. Booster packs will be sold for 189yen each and include 4 cards. All of the cards in the set are shiny hologram cards.



Source: http://www.pokemon.jp/#/contents/card/cc_03/2.html

It has been revealed that Kyurem VS The Sword of Justice will be available to view in select Hoyts Cinemas in Australia for at least the weekends of February 16th/17th and February 23rd/24th, 2013. The DVD and Bluray will then be released by Beyond Home Entertainment the following week on March 6th, 2013. The DVD's and Bluray have been added to our database and more information about them can be found there.

Pokémon the Movie: Kyurem vs. The Sword of Justice in select Hoyts Cinemas

Hoyts Plus presents... Pokémon the Movie: Kyurem vs. The Sword of Justice

During a train trip, Ash and friends spot an injured Pokémon they don ’t recognize. They’re planning a rescue when the train is attacked by the Legendary Kyurem! Ash and the others manage to get the unfamiliar Pokémon to safety, and they learn its story...

The Mythical Pokémon Keldeo is on a mission to rescue its friends - Cobalion, Terrakion, and Virizion, the Swords of Justice - from Kyurem’s icy clutches. But Kyurem has other ideas, and when it transforms into Black Kyurem or White Kyurem for greater power, things look grim!

Can Keldeo find the courage to stand up to this menace? Find out at selected Hoyts cinemas from 16 February!

Saturday 16 February and Sunday 17 February - Banter Pokémon Trading Card Demonstrations

Banter will be offering Pokémon Trading card demonstrations 1 hour prior to the Pokémon screenings at the following locations:

NSW - Blacktown
ACT – Woden
VIC – Eastland
QLD – Stafford
SA – Tea Tree Plaza
WA – Garden City

Sources: http://www.hoyts.com.au/Movies/Events/Pokemon_Movie_Kyurem.aspx and http://www.hoyts.com.au/Movies/details/Pokemon_Kyurem_vs_Sword.aspx

The Sword of Justice DVD and Bluray / Rival Destinies - Collection 1 DVD

Movie 15 DVD	Movie 15 Bluray	Rival Destinies - Collection 1
Release Date: 2013-03-06 DVD DB Link: Click Here	Release Date: 2013-03-06 DVD DB Link: Click Here	Release Date: 2013-02-06 DVD DB Link: Click Here

Pokémon the Movie: Kyurem vs. The Sword of Justice DVD and Bluray Info

During a train trip, Ash and friends spot an injured Pokémon they don’t recognize. They’re planning a rescue when the train is attacked by the Legendary Kyurem! Ash and the others manage to get the unfamiliar Pokémon to safety, and they learn its story. The Mythical Pokémon Keldeo is on a mission to rescue its friends - Cobalion, Terrakion, and Virizion, the Swords of Justice - from Kyurem’s icy clutches. But Kyurem has other ideas, and when it transforms into Black Kyurem or White Kyurem for greater power, things look grim! Can Keldeo find the courage to stand up to this menace?

Pokémon Season 15: Rival Destinies - Collection 1

New foes, new friends, and dozens of never-before-seen Pokémon await Ash and Pikachu as they continue to explore the Unova region! It won’t be long before Ash finds himself up against the ultimate battle challenge: Alder, the Champion Master of Unova! Ash’s friends face their own trials as one fights for the right to continue her travels, and another confronts a returning challenge from the past. And it will take the combined strength of Ash, Cilan, and Iris to save an island from the clashing forces of three powerful and mysterious Legendary Pokémon! All that and Ash still has Gym badges to earn if he hopes to make it to the Unova League—can he prevail against Gym Leaders like the electrifying Elesa and no-nonsense Clay?

Source: http://www.beyondhomeentertainment.com.au

The Pokémon Company International has revealed three cards for the upcoming expansion set Plasma Storm. Each new Pokémon TCG: Black and White Plasma Storm theme deck and booster pack includes an in-pack code card that unlocks virtual cards from Black and White Plasma Storm for play in the Pokémon Trading Card Game Online. Dowsing Machine ACE SPEC, Lugia EX and Magnezone are the three cards that were revealed.


The Theme Decks - Plasma Claw and Plasma Shadow were also revealed which feature Giratina and Druddigon.

The ninth Japanese Black and White Pokémon Trading Card Game expansion has been revealed by various retailers. BW9 Megalo Cannon (メガロキャノン) will be released in Japan on March 15, 2013 and it will include over 76 cards in the set. A box of cards will retail for 3150yen while a booster pack will cost 158yen.


Also revealed was a new combo deck called Kamex+Kyruem EX (カメックス+キュレムEX) and it will also be released in Japan on March 15, 2013. The pack includes 60 cards which features Kamex and Kyruem EX and will retail for 1680yen.


Sources: http://www.neowing.co.jp/goods/goods_detail.html?KEY=NEOGDS-78184 and http://www.neowing.co.jp/goods/goods_detail.html?KEY=NEOGDS-78185

The Pokémon TCG: Black & White Plasma Storm TCG expansion was released on February 6th, 2013. Pictures from this set have been added to an Imageboard thread.

Black & White Plasma Storm

There is no calm before this storm because Team Plasma cards are making a thunderous debut in the Pokémon TCG: Black & White—Plasma Storm expansion. These electrifying new cards feature a striking blue border and blue tints in the card chrome. The infamous Team Plasma shield also sets these brand-new cards apart from other Pokémon TCG cards. Adding to the atmospheric turbulence are more Pokémon-EX, including Victini-EX, Cobalion-EX, and Lugia-EX.


Pokémon TCG: Black & White—Plasma Storm features more than 130 cards, including three never-before-seen ACE SPEC cards that are so incredibly powerful, players can only carry one into battle! Look for the Black & White—Plasma Storm expansion in stores today!


Key features of the new Pokémon TCG: Black & White—Plasma Storm expansion include:

• Brand-new Team Plasma cards
• 14 Trainer cards, including three powerful, never-before-seen ACE SPEC cards with unique game-mechanic and card design
• Eight more Pokémon-EX cards and four full-art Pokémon-EX rare Ultra cards
• More than 130 cards in all

Source: https://www.pokemon.com/us/pokemon-tcg/black-white-plasma-storm

Pokémon TCG: Black and White Plasma Storm Expansion

Clouds gather, Energy crackles, and when you play the Pokémon TCG: Black & White—Plasma Storm expansion, a new force will be felt as the tempestuous Team Plasma makes its debut! All must make ready for a new battlefield, featuring electrifying Team Plasma Pokémon, game-changing Trainer cards, and Team Plasma Pokémon-EX such as Articuno-EX, Zapdos-EX, and Lugia-EX. And, as all-new, powerful ACE SPEC cards blast the balance of power and even more amazing Pokémon-EX race into battle, a question must be asked: Trainers, are you ready?


Prepare for the Plasma Storm!

• 3 powerful brand-new ACE SPEC Trainer cards!
• 8 new Pokémon-EX including 4 full-card art Pokémon!
• Awesome all-new Team Plasma cards!
• Over 130 cards in all!

2013 Pokemon Legendary Spring EX Collector's Tin

Their achievements are legendary, their strengths mythical…and now three amazing Pokémon-EX will push your game to the limit in the Pokémon Trading Card Game: EX Power Tins! Each of these excellent tins contains 1 of 3 powerful Pokémon-EX as a special foil card, 1 of 2 special Pokémon TCG cards featuring the Mythical Pokémon Meloetta, 4 Black & White Series booster packs, AND a BONUS code card for the Pokémon Trading Card Game Online.


In this tin, you’ll find:

• 1 of 3 powerful foil Pokémon-EX cards: Black Kyurem-EX, White Kyurem-EX, or Keldeo!
• 1 of 2 special Pokémon TCG cards featuring the Mythical Pokémon Meloetta
• 4 Pokémon TCG booster packs
• A BONUS online code card for unlocking an item in the Pokémon Trading Card Game Online!

The official Pokémon website has announced that the Macintosh client for the Pokémon TCG Online game has finally been released. The system requirements are extremely high and they recommend people use an i7 Mac! Below are the details.

Mac Gamers - Start Playing Pokémon TCG Online Today!

A whole new audience can join in on the fun with a Mac-compatible game client!

Mac users have waited patiently for an opportunity to join PC users in battle, and now their perseverance has paid off. Both the Mac and PC versions of the Pokémon Trading Card Game Online game client use the same servers, so Mac users will be able to battle, trade with, and befriend PC users seamlessly. Get the Mac client now on the Pokemon.com/TCG download page! Check the system requirements below to make sure you’re ready to play.

This new update also adds the new Pokémon TCG: Black & White—Boundaries Crossed expansion to the game. This expansion brings a mix of new Pokémon-EX, such as the Boundary Pokémon as both Black Kyurem-EX and White Kyurem-EX. Players can also take advantage of the new ACE SPEC cards that are so powerful, players can only include one in a deck!

Remember that the Pokémon TCG Online game is still in beta, and players may encounter bugs during gameplay. In the event that this occurs, make sure you submit a ticket via the Pokémon Support Portal or visit the Open Beta & Support section of the forums. Feedback from the community plays a critical role in improving the Pokémon TCG Online, so be sure to have your voice heard!

The system requirements for the Mac client are:

Recommended:
Mac OS X 10.6
CPU: 2.3 GHz Quad-Core i7
RAM: 4GB 1600MHz DDR3
VIDEO: Intel HD Graphics 4000
VRAM: 256MB

Minimum:
Mac OS X 10.6
CPU: 1.5GHz Dual Core Processor
RAM: 2GB
VIDEO: Intel HD Graphics 4000
VRAM: 256MB

Source: http://www.pokemon.com/us/pokemon-news/tcg_tcgo_mac-2012-11-26/