For Star Wars fans of a certain age, Trading Cards were a huge part of how they celebrated the galaxy, and Topps has been there from the very beginning. Several years ago, they created a digital app for card trading and collecting across sever IPs with their Star Wars one being one of the most popular. The app is easy to use and free to download, though there are some paid features available.
Once again Topps had a presence at SDCC, with a fan meet-up and special perks for fans who traded with the booth staff. I had the opportunity to speak with Brandon Bernard, an Art Director at Topps Digital Star Wars Card Trader.
Fantha Tracks: For those not familiar with the Star Wars Card Trader app, give us a description of what the app offers
Brandon Bernard: It’s largely digital collectibles right now, trading cards but they’re all on the app. There’s a really vibrant community where people trade with each other. We do special advance watch parties, pod races, an asteroid run where you try and beat the odds, a lot of fun stuff like that.
FT: Initially the app was only free play, though there is now an added paid feature. How has that worked out for you?
BB: It really helps fans get the cards they’re really craving. We’re trying to walk that balance being between being free to play for anybody who just wants to casually play, so that’s still very possible. The more hard-core collectors who want to spend a little more actual money, it brings down the odds of getting certain cards if you pay real money.
FT: For convention goers you always have amazing swag like posters based on images from the digital cards. Have you ever thought of doing that as like a paid option, an opportunity for fans to buy physical copies of their favorite cards?
BB: It’s an interesting problem in that when you’re in digital we use a much lower resolution, which doesn’t translate to a physical card so easily. Because of that we haven’t really cracked the code on how to easily go from digital to print, unfortunately.
FT: You have a variety of different sets in the app with many based on Star Wars books and comic. What determines what kind of sets do you create? Is it based on what’s popular?
BB: We pretty much make cards out of everything we possibly can. Whatever assets are available to us and whatever favorite thing is out there, if people are into and if we have the rights to it. It’s important for fans to check the app every day, but you know if you missed something chances are we’re gonna do it again.
Check out this great app and have access to some great cards in the palm of your hands! You can find my collection and reach out for a possible trade at the Fan Name Kaionda.
Thanks to our Fantha Tracks reporter @YogiKai for all the news from SDCC, and be sure to look back at the #FTSDCC hashtag for more from the show.
Hasbro: Star Wars: Star Wars: Jedi: Survivor: Black Series Action Figure: KX Security Droid @ ForbiddenPlanet.com – UK and Worldwide Cult Entertainment Megastore
