WOTC CHAT REPORT
October 26, 2000

Well, it looks like Wizards has finally secured the rights to NEO (although

they are saying it's "Neo-based", so it could be called something completely

different when it comes out in English). But that's about all they would

say about it. The participants tried to pry as much information as they

could out of them; what the MT's could tell us is all written below. Enjoy.

OPENING ANNOUNCEMENTS:

master_trainer_mike says, "Hi friends, MT Mike and Pat here again with your

MINTY FRESH announcements!"

master_trainer_mike says, "First, as some of you may have heard, we will be

releasing a Neo based TCG expansion within the next few months. We have no

release dates, composition, or any other information for you at this time

though."

master_trainer_mike says, "Second, I can tell you about a new upcoming promo

card. Pikachu promo #27 (which is from the Japanese Vending card set) will

be coming out with the Pokemon 2000 DVD and video release. This card was

last released in Italian in the Sydney World Pikachu Collection."

master_trainer_mike says, "Third, make sure to stop by the Florida Mall Tour

stop this weekend to challenge Dark Master Trainer Mike and his Evaporate

deck. He'll be glad to try and give you game."

master_trainer_mike says, "Fourth, MINTY FRESH!!!! (yup still this week's

buzzterm)."

master_trainer_mike says, "And last, Wizards of the Coast Game Support will

start taking phone reservations for the East Coast STS's main tournament.

If you have not earned an invitation through a qualifying event, you can

still participate if you have earned 5 or more League badges. If you are 17

or under in age, you must have a parent call to make a reservation for you

(due to legal issues of gathering information from minors). Slots will fill

up fast so be sure to call to hold yourself a spot!"

QUESTIONS ABOUT NEO:

master_trainer_pat presents the speaker with question #26 from iamimakuni:

any new info on neo

master_trainer_pat says, "We will be doing a NEO based set within the next

few months..."

master_trainer_mike presents the speaker with question #27 from soslowpoke:

will you make the Murkrow promo?

master_trainer_mike says, "Can't say about Neo cards yet."

master_trainer_mike presents the speaker with question #45 from a0030war:

whats the next card set that are coming out with

master_trainer_mike says, "A Neo set, no more info yet though."

master_trainer_pat presents the speaker with question #46 from

turbocharizard:

Are you going to make 9-card promo sets with Neo?

master_trainer_pat says, "Dunno"

[Later...]

master_trainer_mike says, "Guys, we can't answer Neo questions yet, and

please do not shorten the word japanese, as it is seen as offensive by

some."

master_trainer_mike says, "Thanks :)"

master_trainer_pat says, "We're having lots of fun deleting all the NEO

questions, please don't ask them."

master_trainer_pat says, "We'll tell you more when we can."

[But we didn't give up trying...]

master_trainer_mike presents the speaker with question #83 from soslowpoke:

what do you mean by neo stuff? Wouldn't the neo sets contain the

same cards as the japanese ones did? Or will you make neo accsessories like

deck boxes and binders?

master_trainer_mike says, "No sprechten."

master_trainer_pat presents the speaker with question #98 from zapdos1:

Any Chance we might be seeing Neo at the STS? Like a Display

master_trainer_pat says, "Probably no chance whatsoever, probably"

master_trainer_mike presents the speaker with question #112 from paokkk:

Any plan for early neo promos?

master_trainer_mike says, "Nothing we can say."

master_trainer_pat presents the speaker with question #139 from thamaster:

so you have got NEO then? so do you have imaku then??

master_trainer_pat says, "NEO, yes. Imaku, no."

master_trainer_mike presents the speaker with question #158 from soslowpoke:

is the release date at PokeGym true?

master_trainer_mike says, "There is no release date."

master_trainer_mike presents the speaker with question #165 from calathon:

Do you know what foil pattern will be used on the new Neo set?

master_trainer_mike says, "dunno but I will make sure it smells minty fesh

(Pat get on that would you?)"

master_trainer_pat says, "Promptly forgotten I assure you."

master_trainer_mike presents the speaker with question #171 from feralshade:

will the "Neo-based TCG expansion" be released prior to Christmas?

master_trainer_mike says, "we have no idea.................."

master_trainer_mike presents the speaker with question #191 from paokkk:

How fast is Wizards making set compare to japanese?

master_trainer_mike says, "We are playing catch-up."

master_trainer_mike presents the speaker with question #192 from

zanytrainer:

is there anything after the Neo sets??

master_trainer_mike says, "There will be lots of Neo to come."

master_trainer_mike presents the speaker with question #198 from paokkk:

When we are catch up to japanese, will wizards release set the same

time as japanese?

master_trainer_mike says, "That is our eventual plan."

master_trainer_mike presents the speaker with question #209 from lugia_2001:

so when you say you have the rights for neo, are neo II and III

included? (kinda a dum question)

master_trainer_mike says, "we hope to be releasing sets for sometime."

master_trainer_mike presents the speaker with question #262 from lugia_2001:

how many cards are in the english neo set?

master_trainer_mike says, "sorry dunno."

PROMO CARDS:

master_trainer_mike presents the speaker with question #13 from tyais:

Any new promos you can tell us about?

master_trainer_mike says, "Mentioned the Vending card Pikachu coming in the

Pokemon 2000 movie in the announcements."

master_trainer_pat presents the speaker with question #49 from thamaster:

I was looking through my cards today and looking at some the names

of the artists when I saw the promo # 12 Mewtwo and it seemed to have a

[american] name for the artist, Christopher Rush, am I to think you guys did

your own artwork for this??

master_trainer_pat says, "Yes, we did."

master_trainer_mike presents the speaker with question #59 from

turbocharizard:

Are you guys even considering vending sets?

master_trainer_mike says, "Maaybe someday."

master_trainer_mike presents the speaker with question #77 from paokkk:

Do you know what the next Nintendo Power promo card is going to be

or what month is going to be?

master_trainer_mike says, "Nope we don't."

master_trainer_pat presents the speaker with question #105 from paokkk:

Any plan for Southern Islands promos?

master_trainer_pat says, "None yet."

master_trainer_mike presents the speaker with question #178 from paokkk:

I heard of the "W" stamp Dark Charmeleon. Where can I find one?

master_trainer_mike says, "It was never released here in the States. I've

heard it's available in a Kraft promotion in Australia though (no lie)."

master_trainer_mike presents the speaker with question #219 from paokkk:

When do YOU think that wizards will hit promo number 100 (in years

or month)?

master_trainer_mike says, "Next week!!!! (DOH did I spill the beans??)"

master_trainer_mike says, "KIDDING!!!!!!"

master_trainer_pat presents the speaker with question #232 from paokkk:

Any more jumbo promo on the way?

master_trainer_pat says, "Not that we've been told about. Everyone knows we

talk too much, I guess."

EAST COAST SUPER TRAINER SHOWDOWN (STS):

master_trainer_pat presents the speaker with question #31 from chrisbo:

When will WotC actually begin taking reservations for the East Coast

STS? And what is the telephone number?

master_trainer_pat says, "next Monday....1(800)324-6496"

master_trainer_mike presents the speaker with question #50 from tyais:

East STS seems to be shaping up nicely. Assuming you will be there,

will you and MT Mike, MT Pat, and Dark MT Mike be open for gunslinging? As

well, when can we expect an all out Maple Bar Mud Pit, Pokemon Deathmatch

between the MTs and Dark MT on PPV?

master_trainer_mike says, "Well, I for one have no desire to mud wrestle

with DMT Mike or Pat. (though there is nothing wrong with that)."

master_trainer_mike says, "As for gunslinging, it will depend on how busy we

end up, hope we have time to play some games with you guys though."

master_trainer_pat says, "We just don't know what we'll be doing there quite

yet. Judging, playing for sure, but how much?"

master_trainer_mike presents the speaker with question #61 from a0030war:

When are you going to have another STS after the East Coast one?

master_trainer_mike says, "Nothing to announce yet, still in planning

stages."

master_trainer_pat presents the speaker with question #261 from calathon:

Will there be a Promo given out at the STS, and if so, which one?

master_trainer_pat says, "We don't know yet."

master_trainer_mike presents the speaker with question #268 from thundrchld:

how many seats are in this STS again?

master_trainer_mike says, "the main event can handle up to 1600."

POKEMON LEAGUE:

master_trainer_pat presents the speaker with question #63 from mew365:

for the second season of pokemon league will we have badges from

johto or will we have the regular 8....

master_trainer_pat says, "It will be NEO based I believe."

master_trainer_pat presents the speaker with question #78 from

master_elekid:

How coome the badges won't be from the Orange League?

master_trainer_pat says, "don't know..."

[CHRISBO NOTE: Orange League was only mentioned in the TV series and not

part of any of the actual Nintendo games. Johto & Neo on the other hand are

part of Pokemon Gold & Silver for GameBoy.]

master_trainer_mike presents the speaker with question #138 from sd_pokemom:

What if anything can you tell us about year 2 of Pokemon League, now

that Victory Road is now finished (and our store NEVER got the VR

materials!)?

master_trainer_mike says, "Every store was sent the VR materials. If your

league location was part of a chain, then it was that chain's decision to

not send them to your store."

master_trainer_mike says, "With that said, year 2 will follow a Neo style.

No more details than that at this time."

master_trainer_mike presents the speaker with question #141 from

zanytrainer:

are the books for the League going to be of any use after the new

league has started??

master_trainer_mike says, "Nope, there will be new books for you to get."

master_trainer_mike presents the speaker with question #146 from

zanytrainer:

does victory road continue until the store stops it, or is there an

official stopping date?

master_trainer_mike says, "It was supposed to last 6 weeks like every other

season."

master_trainer_pat presents the speaker with question #148 from zanytrainer:

will you need the books for verification of badge status for next

years tournaments, or will the new tournaments use the new books/badges..?

master_trainer_pat says, "We don't know yet."

master_trainer_mike presents the speaker with question #150 from sd_pokemom:

So with the new league the old books, badges, tm's. etc. will all be

obsolete? New stampers, books, Gym Leader shirts etc.?

master_trainer_mike says, "Save them as collectibles guys. All new stuff

coming up!"

master_trainer_pat presents the speaker with question #152 from zanytrainer:

so after victory road ends, does the league stop? or does can the

store continue until the end of the year?

master_trainer_pat says, "That's up to the location, though we won't be

sending out any more materials until year 2"

master_trainer_mike presents the speaker with question #172 from sd_pokemom:

Will individual stores that are part of a chain be able to request

League 2 materials on their own if their Chain has decided to no longer

support the League? Our League location is part of a chain which has

decided to no longer do League, but our ind

master_trainer_mike says, "Sorry but we don't know, they would have to talk

with their District Managers on that one."

master_trainer_mike presents the speaker with question #207 from a0030war:

how many badges in the year two

master_trainer_mike says, "8"

master_trainer_mike presents the speaker with question #211 from

its_true_its_true:

When does Year 2 of the Pokemon League start and will Toys R Us have

it?

master_trainer_mike says, "Jan 6th and yes, they should."

master_trainer_mike presents the speaker with question #218 from a0030war:

how many points to earn a badge in the year two

master_trainer_mike says, "Should be the same I think (500)."

Later,

- CHRISBO

WOTC CHAT REPORT October 26, 2000

www.pojo.com

WOTC CHAT REPORT
October 26, 2000