The idea that Disney might be planning something going by the nameLorcanafirst arose at the end of 2021 when the word was trademarked by the company. However, given that the categorization was simply “Goods and Services,” which included a host of possibilities ranging from paper party hats to mobile device skins, it wasn’t clear what exactly thisLorcanawas. Now,Disneyhas officially announced its upcoming trading card game, which may appeal to fans ofPokemon TCGandMagic: The Gathering.
Disney Lorcanawill be published by Ravensburger, a recognizable name for anybody who enjoys the mouse company’sstrategy board games likeDisney’s Villainous, which came out in 2016. This new trading card game will be a family-friendly endeavor and is set to release sometime toward the end of 2023. Pricing for theLorcanabase game and its subsequent card packs is still yet to be announced.
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According to the press release announcing the TCG,Disney Lorcanawill feature Disney characters in both their original and reimagined art styles. It will also “contain more original Disney artwork than any other single product ever created,” according to John Balen, Disney’s Vice President of Product Design. However, the collaboration will specifically be between Walt Disney Animation Studios and Ravensburger. This means that players should not expect to see Marvel, Pixar, orStar Warsexpansions for the Disney game, at least not to begin with.
The game will be set in the world of Lorcana, where players will take on the role of a powerful sorcerer called an Illumineer. Ravensburger Brand Manager Ryan Miller, who helped designLorcana’sgameplay, explains that there is a place called The Great Illuminary, “a treasury of all Disney songs and stories ever made,” including their various characters. As an Illumineer, the player will use their powers to bring these iconic figures to life and form a party of Disney characters to adventure with.
As for comparisons toPokemon TCGandMTG,Miller explains thatLorcanawill not be ascompetitive asMagic: The Gathering, but gamers can still expect a strategy experience. “I wouldn’t say we’re cooperative in any sense,” Miller stated. “But I would say that we’ve pulled back the confrontation level.” The goals are forLorcanato remain approachable even to novices and for people to simply enjoy playing a game with Disney’s beloved characters.
Ravensburger and Disney are envisioning thatLorcanawill be a game that players enjoy for many years, and the companies already plan to release four new card sets each year. The first glimpse of the new trading card game will be atDisney’s D23 expo, which starts on September 9, where the first seven characters fromLorcanawill be revealed.
