Licensing Jumps 50x; Card Prices Hit $30k
Summary
These disparate events show extreme market polarization, from 50x cost increases for developers to massive valuation spikes in niche collectibles.
- Licensing Costs Spike Fontworks LETS discontinued its game license plan, forcing Japanese developers to pay up to \(20k annually, up from \)380 4.
- Top Trade-In Recorded GameStop accepted a PSA 10 Holo Gengar card for $30,000 in store credit, publicly dismissing critics of their valuation 2.
- Completionist Focus A dedicated fan, Kabuto King, is systematically collecting every existing first-edition Kabuto card, highlighting extreme niche collecting efforts 1.
- Game Checklist Rewards Kirby Air Riders features 150 City Trial checklist missions, offering specific unlockables upon 100% completion of the mode 3.
- $30,000 - GameStop’s highest ever trade-in value paid for a single Pokémon card 2.
- 5,000% - Approximate increase in annual font licensing costs for Japanese game developers 4.
- 150 - Total number of City Trial checklist missions available for completion in Kirby Air Riders 3.
Key Moments
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GameStop celebrated its most valuable trade-in ever, accepting a customer's PSA 10 Holo Gengar trading card for $30,000 in store credit.
— Article [2] -
Annual cost for leading font provider increased from $380 to $20,000, discontinuing the game license plan.
— Article [4] -
A viral Pokémon fan is collecting every first-edition Kabuto card.
— Article [1] -
Kirby Air Riders features a City Trial game mode containing a checklist comprised of exactly 150 missions.
— Article [3]
Different Perspectives
Supporting View
GameStop defended its high trade-in valuation against public criticism, labeling detractors as 'trolls'.
Sources:
[2]