Free Realms Online From Sony, Cards from Topps
Sony Online Entertainment’s Free Realms has been licensed by Topps for a trading card game, according to ICv2. They report, “The games will interact, with the physical trading card game complementing the digital game in the online world.”
Passport to Free Realms Starter Pack will include physical and digital loot, while the Free Realms Booster Packs will come with a loot card in every pack. Both series will be released in the spring.
Free Realms is currently in beta version, will be available for free, with “subscriptions or micro-transactions available for acquiring in-game objects, etc.” Sony expects social networking and other activities will make this a broadly appealing option compared to adventure games such as Sony’s Everquest.
The online and trading card games will go live simultaneously according to Sony.
Topps’ Michael Eisner said in a release, “We are thrilled to have the opportunity to partner with Sony Online Entertainment on Free Realms, a company that understands the relevance of cross-platform entertainment….”
Under Eisner, Topps has moved into the CCG category with properties such The Dozens, based on the Wayans Brothers and Club Penguin TCG, based on the kids’ online game.