Charlie Hurlocker, the new owner of MetaZoo, plans to reimagine the reborn trading card game with a darker, more distinct art style while also addressing previous shortcomings from the original.
Hurlocker spoke with The Hobby Podcast and stated that the new MetaZoo will “[not try] to just copy an existing art style that somebody else is doing.” Instead, he emphasized embracing the unique nature of the cryptids featured in MetaZoo’s cards. He added, “Our first message is we’re not afraid of the nature of cryptids or this sort of darker feel.”
Art Style and Direction
Hurlocker revealed that the upcoming MetaZoo cards will feature art that is “darker in saturation.” He described the new direction as resembling the feel of goosebumps, which aligns with the cryptid theme. “When we dropped the first piece, people were like, ‘That looks like goosebumps,’” he shared, showing excitement about the response.
To achieve this vision, Hurlocker has brought back many original MetaZoo artists. He explained, “When you unchain these artists, when you give them time and you give them compensation…what they’re capable of is just really cool.” He credited this change to creating an environment where artists could thrive, resulting in higher-quality work.
Hints at future success
Hurlocker also compared MetaZoo to a “punk rock TCG,” highlighting the brand’s unique appeal and the strength of its community. He noted how in punk rock there is the challenge of balancing authenticity with popularity, saying, “If my band becomes popular, will I still like them?” Hurlocker seems to be stating that they will make an effort to maintain MetaZoo’s distinct character while preparing for much bigger success.
Operational Changes
Hurlock revealed the new MetaZoo will adopt practices that address operational challenges faced by the original company. Production will move to the United States to streamline logistics and improve quality. Hurlocker noted that this shift will allow MetaZoo to “deliver a structurally functional company and a product that we believe is resonant with people.”
Hurlocker also said they are not kickstarting anything and that everything is fully funded. He stated, “The point at which I ask you to buy a box is when you can order and then receive that box. We’re only working with real distributors, so when you place that order, that distributor fulfills that order. There’s no risk.”
Focus on the Player Experience
MetaZoo’s new direction prioritizes the experience of opening packs and engaging with the cards. Hurlocker criticized previous sets for lacking variety, which he believes “cannibalized the opening experience so quickly.” He wants the new product to bring back the excitement of trading cards: “We’re building this message that we’re not hear to not do MetaZoo… It really is MetaZoo, just better.”
Continuing rights
Hurlocker also made it clear they didn’t buy the previous MetaZoo company which is still in bankruptcy. He bought the rights to continue MetaZoo for $2 million as a new company that has a history of success.
“GameQbatorLabs, which is the the exclusive licenser for the product that’s actually going to be doing the production and delivery, they know how to build these companies. They did it for Magic. They did it for Pokemon. They did it for significantly larger companies,” He said. “We have in house the knowledge how to deliver these things. We’re not we’re not trying to somehow correct a bad company, we only know how to build a good company, and so we’re just building a good company with those continuing rights.”
Moving Forward
Hurlocker’s plans for the new MetaZoo reflect lessons from the past and a vision for a more sustainable future. With improvements to art, production, and distribution, he’s confident the trading card game will connect with players while honoring its origins.
“We’re building a good company and delivering what we believe is a good product,” Hurlocker concluded. “The trust will be earned when people see that we deliver our products and that those products are better than they’ve ever experienced.”
(note: all artwork in the article is from the original MetaZoo)
