Getting Started - Types of Card Games
Collectible Card Games (CCG)
Collectible Card Games (Also referred to as Trading Card Games (TCG)) are centered around the ownership, collection, and trading of cards, usually of distinct rarities, using which players construct a deck used to play the game. CCGs often contain simple to understand rules and a large variety of cards that supplement or contradict these rules. Players primarily obtain cards by purchasing groups of individual cards—primarily through “boxes” or “booster packs”—which contain a specific number of randomized cards. Some TCGs allow for the purchase of “starter packs”, which contain the appropriate number and selection of cards to begin playing the game, often known as a “starter deck”.
CCGs were popularized through the release of Magic: The Gathering (Magic) in 1993. Since then, many card games have released with similar design principles and monetization schemes as Magic. Popular contemporary examples include Pokémon, Yu-Gi-Oh!, and Disney Lorcana.
Living Card Games (LCG)
Living Card Games (also referred to as Expandable Card Games (ECG) or Stand-alone Card Games) are self-contained games, usually packaged within a single box, that come complete with a single purchase. Unlike CCGs, there is little to no randomness in a LCG, and they are often single-release games (in contrast to the tendency of CCGs to release multiple versions over an extended period of time). Popular LCGs may release Expansions, which add additional cards, rules, or other game content to expand upon existing offerings. Such Expansions may be played separately from the original release (as a stand-alone title itself) or included into the selection of cards used in the original release.
LCGs were popularized by Fantasy Flight Games, who currently holds the trademark on the term. Because of this, there is no one standardized term for this type of game (ECG and LCG are the most common). Fantasy Flight Games has collaborated with several properties to release games, including A Game of Thrones: The Card Game, Marvel Champions: The Card Game, and Arkham Horror: The Card Game, among others.
Card Driven Game (CDG)
Card Driven Games are a type of board game in which cards are the primary game component used in regular play. It is typically used to describe wargames, a type of board game in which players control military-type units in direct conflict with other players, where cards are used to drive the action. Because CDGs fall under the category of board game, they are outside the scope of this guide. However, due to the popularity of the term, and its proximity to this guide’s content, it is worthwhile to familiarize oneself with the term.