POKÉMON TO HOST INTERNATIONAL VIDEO GAME AND TRADING CARD GAME CHAMPIONSHIPS AUGUST 16 - 17
It seems either people really like Pokemon or they don't. Like it or not, you can't argue with how successful it's been and the fact that there are still a lot of people interested.
So here is some information I received about the upcoming World Championship. You probably thought nothing would ever come out of playing Pokemon. Check out what these kids are doing and where they get to go.
Pokémon Trading Card Game World Championships Hosts Competitors from Nearly 30 Countries
2008 Video Game Showdown Features 64 Top Players from the U.S. and Japan
Bellevue, WA August 11, 2008 Pokémon USA, Inc., the worldwide leader in trading card games and video games, today announced details for both the 2008 Pokémon® Trading Card Game (TCG) World Championships as well as the first-ever Pokémon Video Game Showdown, which will pit the most skilled Pokémon video game players from the U.S. and Japan against one another in a battle to determine the ultimate champion. Both events will take place August 16 - 17 at the Hilton in the Walt Disney World Resort in Orlando, Florida, bringing together hundreds of Pokémon fans from around the globe.
The Pokémon Video Game Showdown will feature 64 of the most talented players from the U.S. and Japan competing in two different age divisions. U.S. qualifiers were selected from two regional tournaments held in Los Angeles and New York on July 12 and July 19, respectively. Over 1,000 players from ages 6 to 43 came from all over the country to battle playing Pokémon Diamond or Pokémon Pearl for the opportunity to compete against the best players from Japan. Participants will strive for the chance to call themselves a champion and win a grand prize that includes a six-day vacation package for four to New York City, Honolulu, or Tokyo. Runners up will win custom Nintendo DS game systems and special Pokémon prize packs.
The 2008 Pokémon Trading Card Game World Championships follow a record-setting U.S. National Championships in June, which drew nearly 1,000 competitors. Hundreds of players from nearly 30 countries will compete in the invite-only event for the title of Pokémon TCG World Champion. The top 32 winners in each of the three age divisions will be awarded various Pokémon prizes and merchandise, including scholarship awards worth more than $100,000.
Pokémon has proved its dominance over the past 10 years as one of the most successful kidąs franchises of all-time. The Pokémon animated series is broadcast in more than 30 countries in over 25 languages. Nintendoąs Pokémon Diamond and Pokémon Pearl games sold more than 1 million copies in the first five days and more than 14 million copies since their launch. The Pokémon Trading Card Game is the number one collectible trading card game and boasts over 80,000 organized play members. Both championship events will promote the fun of the trading card and video games as players are required to use skill, strategy, and creativity to play.***For more information, please visit: http://www.go-pokemon.com
About Pokémon USA
Pokémon USA, Inc., a subsidiary of The Pokémon Company in Japan, manages the property outside of Asia which includes licensing, marketing, the Pokémon Trading Card Game, an animated TV series, the Pokémon Trading Figure Game, home entertainment, and the official Pokémon website. Pokémon was launched in Japan in 1996 for play on Nintendoąs Game Boy® and has since evolved into a global cultural phenomenon. Pokémon was introduced in North America in 1998 and today is one of the most popular toy and entertainment properties in the world. For more information, visit www.pokemon.com.