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New trading card game comes to town, Pokémon is here to catch
Arguably one of the most popular card games in the world, the Pokémon Trading Card Game (Pokémon TCG) has officially entered the Indonesian gaming market.
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Salim Group executive director Axton Salim and Kenjiro Ito of The Pokémon Company board of directors pose with a Pokémon mascot and giant Pokémon card at the launch of Pokémon Trading Card Game in Jakarta, Aug. 8. (Firmatoya/File)
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rguably one of the most popular card games in the world, the Pokémon Trading Card Game (Pokémon TCG) has officially entered the Indonesian gaming market. This trading card game will provide opportunities for Indonesian players to compete in the world championships, as well as giving added value by providing a localized version in the Indonesian language.
Japan’s The Pokémon Company and homegrown Salim Group through PT Anugerah Kreasi Gemilang (AKG), announced the arrival of the trading card game in Indonesia in a press conference at the Grand Atrium of Kota Kasablanka mall in Jakarta on Thursday, Aug. 8.
Axton Salim, executive director of Salim Group, said in a released statement that trading cards in the Indonesian language could still be used internationally.
“This [trading card game] trains players to think strategically because this game requires skills and strategies to play the cards online,” said Axton.
Indonesian players will be able to compete in a national competition dubbed the Pokémon Indonesia Championships, and the winners will be eligible to enter the annual Pokémon World Championships.
Read also: Pokemon Go isn't out of the woods yet over trespassing monsters
Initially launched in February 1996, the Pokémon game was available on the Nintendo Game Boy for players to catch and keep Pokémon characters and communicate with fellow players through trading cards and joining battle.
Kenjiro Ito, a member of the board of directors of The Pokémon Company, said in a statement that the card game helped build players’ character and social skills, as it is played offline rather than online.
Pokémon TCG cards are available at Indomaret stores and official game stores in Greater Jakarta. (ran/mut)
