June 27, 2024
The June 2024 AMA took place at 5pm NST on June 27, 2024.
The AMA was first announced on June 18, about nine days in advance.
This AMA was dubbed "The Battledome TCG Edition" and featured Neopets CEO Dom Law as usual. It also included Bobby Coovert from Upper Deck for discussion on the upcoming Battledome TCG. TNT Luna returned as host for a second consecutive month, and TNT Fallie joined for part of the AMA.
Questions could be submitted in advance through a Neoboard post by TNT Luna.
How to Watch
The AMA was simulcasted on YouTube, Facebook, Twitter/X, and Twitch. It remains available for viewing on the first three of these platforms:
Rewatch on YouTube »
Rewatch on Facebook »
Rewatch on Twitter/X »
Rare Item Code
The announcement for this AMA did not mention that the AMA would include a rare item code, and a code was not given out during or after the livestream.
Merch Giveaway
The announcement did mention an opportunity to win a starter deck and booster pack. These were given out to randomly selected commenters at a couple specific moments of the livestream.
Recap
Luna started by playing the trailer for the newly released TCG from Upper Deck.
Questions for Bobby from Upper Deck
Luna started by bringing in Bobby Coovert, Product Manager and Game Designer of Neopets Battledome TCG (NBTCG) at Upper Deck.
Introduction?
- Upper Deck has been involved in the trading card industry for over 30 years.
- Bobby has been in the industry for about 15 years, and with Upper Deck for the last two years.
What's in your video background?
Tell us about the TCG and the process for creating it?
- Entire process took about a year and a half. Design started in October 2022.
- Bobby lets "the cards tell me how they want to be played," meaning he lets the lore inspire the card's features.
- Worked with some artists who have worked with Neopets before and some that were brand new to Neopets.
How did you start playing Neopets?
Where and how can we get the TCG?
- Encouraged to get it from your local game store, who can get it through their distributors.
- Also on Upper Deck online store as of yesterday (June 26th).
Any plans for availability outside US/Canada?
- "Definitely something we want to do."
- But don't have any official plans to do so at this time.
Any info about Upper Deck's TCG at San Diego Comic Con (SDCC)?
- "We're letting you become a Neopet."
- This means they will custom-make a personal trading card of you!
What is a TCG? Explain for Neopets fans who aren't familiar.
- It's both a collection and a game.
- There is a strong community aspect, coming together to play the game.
- Bobby switched to a top-down camera to show the game board while he explained the rules.
Is the new TCG compatible with the original TCG?
- No. It is brand new and original.
More about the original TCG »
Will there be any tournaments?
- Just announced the official Battledome League yesterday (June 26th), the official organized play program. These will take place at local game stores.
- Events will give out exclusive promotional cards with art designed by Anthony Conley a.k.a. Tiger Catcher.
- The first world championship will take place at Gen Con in Indianapolis on day 3 (Saturday, August 3rd).
Gen Con Tournament Details »
Tell us more about the TCG artists?
- Anthony Conley a.k.a. Tiger Catcher served as art director.
- Every artist is a fan of Neopets, from the Neopets community. Some were recruited by looking for Neopets fan art.
Plans for future TCG expansions?
- First expansion expected around the 25th anniversary (in November).
- A couple of expansions planned every year for the next few years.
Luna and Bobby then led a giveaway. Viewers could comment what thing in Neopia they would like to turn into a TCG card! Random commenters were given a prize. The winning suggestions were:
- Tropical Food Shopkeeper by ProblematicPeriwinklePlum on YouTube
- Asparagus Chia by zoebeeee on YouTube
- Spotted Kau by laura whittington on YouTube
- Bobby suggested Completely Non-Lethal Sandwich. "It's so funny!"
- Luna suggested the Depressed Potato.
Bobby and TNT Luna TCG Suggestions
Questions for TNT Fallie
Luna then brought out Fallie to discuss some Neopets updates.
Introductions?
- In marketing and supports Neopets social media.
If you could make anything in Neopia into a TCG card, what would it be?
- Pile of Slightly-chewed Socks.
TNT Fallie TCG Suggestion
Can you give an update on the fan art program?
- "Have pretty much finished sending out all of the acceptance emails." Just waiting for everybody to respond.
- Next stage will be sending out rejection emails. Have been holding off on this just in case any accepted applicants don't follow through or work out.
- They received about 200 applications for a "very small first intake."
- Selection process took a long time because it was very thorough. There was also some delay to support the plot and Altador Cup.
- Art & Design Ambassador Sosu has started a petpage directory of artists. You do not need to be in the official Fan Art Program to be listed!
NeoPass updates?
- Luna shared some recent developments on NeoPass.
Tales of Dacardia updates?
- Fallie shared that login issues should now be resolved, as well as issues with receiving on-site rewards.
- On-site event tie-ins with Tales of Dacardia are planned! Could include "micro games" and new item packs.
- Don't know exact dates, but do have new chapters in development.
More about Tales of Dacardia »
Luna and Fallie then led a giveaway. Viewers could comment what avatar they would like to see on site! Random commenters were given a prize. The winning suggestions were:
Questions for TNT Dom
Luna and Fallie then brought out Neopets CEO TNT Dom to ask questions collected on Luna's Neoboard post. Luna addressed that questions were selected on Neoboards instead of StrawPoll due to "some voting manipulation" in the last StrawPoll.
Do we ban users based on IP?
- "It's a myth...We never do mass bans based on IP alone."
- Instead look at overall account behavior.
- Mistakes may happen, and that is why there is now an appeal system with customer support.
Submit a support ticket »
When is the Altador Cup starting exactly, and what improvements can we expect to see this year?
- Push back was due to plot launch.
- Press tour will be in early July, with signups shortly after.
- There will be a new team.
- Bug fixes will be present on the games, particularly Slushie Slinger.
- Daily caps will be rebalanced to be "less grindy."
Info on last year's Altador Cup »
With weapons like Wand of Dark Faerie and Grapes of Wrath being given out as plot prizes, and also at what seems like easily achievable costs, what do you see as the future for weapon progression?
- "We debate internally about this all the time."
- "On the one hand, we want to make the game accessible for a lot of our massive userbase."
- Prizes and points were fine-tuned based on balance feedback.
- Wants to reassure that nobody had insider knowledge on the prize pool. All players found out what was in it when it was publicly released.
- "New and exciting" weapons will be released "as the plot unfolds" that will give new goals for BDers.
The Void Within prize shop guide »
Can you allow certain site names to be mentioned on the website?
- Yes! TNT will relax the policy on mentioning social media platforms.
- For now, you can mention sites that Neopets is on (such as YouTube) without getting a warning.
- However, you cannot share personal profiles.
- Also want to lift bans on some words such as "uncle," "seaweed," and "basement," but need to review this very carefully first.
Can we get more updated shopkeeper art?
- This is a new idea that will go on a long list of desired projects.
- Probably don't have the bandwidth.
- May one day be able to source these through the fan art program.
Main Shop Shopkeeper Art » User Shop Shopkeeper Art »
Are there any plans to improve lag during customisation and the NC Mall?
- "Something that we're looking into in the next three months."
- Have implemented some workarounds.
- Hoping the NeoPass integration with Dress to Impress (DTI) will somehow help with this (the exact details were not clearly explained).
Would you consider loyalty bonuses for Premium? [i.e. the longer you're a Premium member, the better the prizes/bonuses]
- "Will be part of the whole Premium revamp that we're doing."
- Target is to design the program and launch it within 2024.
Premium Guide »
How is the October purge going to work? Any way to protect an older account?
- Although it starts in October, it will be a longer term project.
- TNT have studied how it worked in the past.
- Should help with some site lag by reducing server size.
- You can help protect an account by spreading the word! If you know someone with an older account, let them know to log in.
- Could take months to fully take place.
- Still in discussion on exactly how it will work, just know that it won't be all at once.
Purge Guide »
Will the Skarl Collectible Charm ever actually be fixed?
- This AMA question got the issue escalated!
- TNT actually thought it was fixed, but discovered that it wasn't, so it's back on the to-do list.
Do you plan to update any of the creative contests?
- Update outdated rules and link them in official FAQs.
- Can't increase upload size, in order to protect server capacity, which is already a bit strained.
- Using AI detection tools to prevent AI entries, though AI developments tend to outpace these tools.
- Adding an Invisible pet category to the Customisation contest.
Creative Contests Guide »
Can we not make avatars that are region-locked? For example, the Battledome TCG is limited to US/Canada but has an associated avatar.
- TNT don't want to make anything region-locked.
- They have aspirations to expand merch such as TCG beyond any one region.
- Want to support licensees to distribute globally.
UD TCG - Fire Uni
Purchase the Battledome TCG Fire Uni Starter Deck and redeem the included Rare Item Code. Note: Early production of the decks did not include a code; Upper Deck will dispatch this code if you contact their support with proof of purchase.
Released: May 19, 2024
UD TCG - Starry Acara
Purchase the Battledome TCG Starry Acara Starter Deck and redeem the included Rare Item Code. Note: Early production of the decks did not include a code; Upper Deck will dispatch this code if you contact their support with proof of purchase.
Released: May 19, 2024
This page was written by Kenny and last updated on July 20, 2024.
