MetaZoo is a tabletopcollectible card game based on cryptozoology, folklore, and the paranormal first published by MetaZoo Games LLC in 2020. MetaZoo centers around creatures known as "Beasties", which are inspired by cryptids and other figures from mythology and folklore, such as Bigfoot, Mothman, and other fearsome critters. The card game also had a Hello Kitty-themed crossover with Sanrio. The original publisher, MetaZoo Games, filed for bankruptcy in 2024, selling the IP to MetaTwo Enterprises.
After a successful crowdfunding campaign during the COVID-19 pandemic that raised $18,249 through Kickstarter, MetaZoo was first officially launched with the release of MetaZoo: Cryptid Nation, the first full set of the game.[1]
In 2021, DJ and music producer Steve Aoki became a full equity partner and a designated cofounder, while Game Kastle and Hobby Games Distribution, Inc. founder Shaw Mead was named COO of the company.[2] Highly sought-after cards and items that skyrocketed in the secondary market helped MetaZoo grow quickly during 2021,[3] and, by the end of the year, many of its cards were among the top 10 most submitted items to the Collectors Universe card grader Professional Sports Authenticator (PSA) within a two-month period.[4]
On January 29, 2024, MetaZoo Games founder Michael Waddell wrote on the company's official Discord server that it was shutting down production effective immediately. Shortly afterward, the company wiped its social media and shut down the Discord server.[5]
Gameplay
Although MetaZoo is often compared to the Pokémon Trading Card Game due to its cartoon-like artwork, the gameplay resembles more that of games such as Magic: The Gathering.[6] Like many trading card games, the goal of MetaZoo is to reduce the Life Points of all opponents from 1000 to 0.[7] The game features "fourth-wall effects", which incorporate the real environment of players into gameplay. Examples include avoiding damage by drinking when playing the Cactus Cat card, taking damage if near a radio while using the Metal Man of Alabama card, and reducing damage by screaming while playing the Jersey Devil card.[8]
When the company was still active, experienced players could become "MetaZoologists", or volunteer tournament judges, by taking official tests to prove their knowledge of the game's rules.[9]
Development
Artwork
The artwork of MetaZoo is based on the style of late 1990s card games, particularly the Pokémon Trading Card Game and the artwork of Ken Sugimori.[10]
Releases
In addition to the main set releases, MetaZoo released special sets in collaboration with other intellectual properties and external companies. The trading card company Topps also released a special set of collector cards inspired by and depicting art from MetaZoo: Cryptid Nation in October 2021.[11]
Announced during the 2023 San Diego Comic-Con, MetaZoo released their promotional crossover with Sanrio titled Kuromi's Cryptid Carnival on November 17, 2023. It features Hello Kitty and other related characters.[12]
Hiroquest: Genesis (stylized as HiROQUEST: Genesis) is a promotional crossover set released together with the concept album of the same name by Steve Aoki on September 16, 2022.[13][14] Although the set takes place in the same MetaZoo universe, the story features different characters, such as Hiro, the protagonist of the story, who is on a journey to find the magical rings mentioned in the Black Pullet, an 18th-century French grimoire. The cards of this set feature Hiro and other characters belonging to five factions called Melodias, which correspond to the five musical interludes into which the album is divided.[15]
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