A new name is about to enter the collectible Trading Card Game market, and that is none other than Disney Lorcana. Disney fans and tabletop gamers alike have been itching to get their hands on it and have already been auctioning cards and sets at high price values despite it not being released yet. There have been trading card games that have come and gone over the years, but this one might be worth keeping an eye on.

The game will allow players to play cards featuring their favorite Disney characters with a brilliant new, whimsical, and cohesive art style. Beloved characters from various Disney worlds will come together in an epic crossover.

There’s not much known about the overall gameplay and we only know a handful of characters who will be featured in card form, but according to the official website, the official description of the game is “As an Illumineer, you’ll wield six magical inks to summon glimmers of Disney characters. Glimmers can appear as familiar friends or in fantastically reimagined forms. Recruit glimmers to your team as you travel through the world of Lorcana.” It’s safe to assume that Illumineers is what the players will be called.

While there are no rules known at the time this article is being written, we can try to make some assumptions based on the information on the cards.

The number on the top left is likely the cost to play the card. Given what the game’s description says, that in-game currency may be called “ink.” The color of the banner and the symbol under the character’s name is likely which color ink is used to play that card. According to IGN, the Ink colors are Amber, Amethyst, Emerald, Ruby, Steel, and Sapphire. There are two numbers on the right below the character’s picture; one in a sun symbol and one in a shield. If the shield indicated the character’s defense, the sun almost definitely indicates its strength or attack power. The text on the bottom half of the card is its ability. It seems that Disney Lorcana will have many similarities to Magic: the Gathering. The cards look like they even have some fun flavor text on them.

Creating a new trading card game and having it be successful among the rest is a difficult feat. There are already the big three, Magic the Gathering, Pokèmon, and Yu-Gi-Oh, that already have massive fanbases. Plus, there are plenty of others, like Cardfight!! Vanguard, MetaZoo, and many more. Getting folks interested in a new trading card game, especially when they already invest a lot of time and money in an existing one, is certainly a challenge. If there is one that can do it, it looks like it’ll be Disney Lorcana.

A card game can be perfectly made, but what makes one successful and gives it longevity is its community. The game developers need to continue to sell new cards and sets, and to do that, they’ll need continued support. If there’s anything that can make sure that happens, it’s Disney. It’s hard not to love the likes of Aladdin and Lilo and Stitch. Disney is something that already comes with a LOT of fans, so the game has a chance at gaining some traction. Gamers looking to get into Lorcana, like with any trading card game, will expect to be able to collect large amounts of cards and be able to customize their decks as creatively as possible. From what we’ve seen so far, it seems like that will be the case.

Not only will Disney pumping money into Lorcana help to make it something great, but it’s also being developed by Ravensburger. Ravensburger has been creating board games, card games, and puzzles for decades. They’ve developed games like Labyrinth, Disney Villainous, and Horrified. If there’s anyone who can make a unique and well-thought out game, it’s them.

Disney Lorcana: The First Chapter (the name of the game’s first set) will be released in local game stores in the United States on August 18th, 2023, and will be followed by a mass retail launch on September 1st. This initial set will launch with over 200 different cards and will feature a variety of products including booster packs, starter decks, themed playmats, deck boxes, card sleeves, and more.

Only time will tell if Disney Lorcana does gain the traction and the community needed to stick around in the trading card game scene. Until then, this is one that is absolutely worth keeping an eye on.