Hello,

I am a volunteer/judge for DBZ/DBGT since the beginning.  I first volunteered 4 years ago at the very first Hummer Tour stop in St. Louis.  I have worked for Score on the local level and at many conventions all across the US.

Score's latest announcement has been the topic for discussion not only on the public forums but also in the judge forum at Score.  I have posted my opinions and observations there, but feel compelled to also email you.

Score's decision is business suicide.  A very poor choice for them considering their sales are down and they no longer have income generated from their current games.  While Inuyasha TCG is selling fairly well, it has not done as well as anticipated.  Yu Yu Hakusho has ended. Buffy TCG is dead.  Dragon Booster has done so poorly I think I can safely say it is a dismal failure and is already being discounted by major retailers wanting to dump what product they have on the shelves.  Up and coming game releases from Score have already been rumored to be "dead in the water" and most retailers do not anticipate them to go over very well.  So Score NEEDS money.  They screwed up with releasing the last sagas of DBZ much to fast and some too quickly cranked out without the needed playtesting they deserved.  Instead of "milking the cash cow" and continuing to ride the popularity of DBZ for at least another year Score whipped it out as fast as they could for the fast buck they could earn with little regard to the quality of the game.  The CRD became larger and larger, but the powers that be at Don Russ wanted the gaming company to release a new saga every 3 months irregardless.  Why?  Because the gaming side of Don Russ, Score Entertainment, was making a lot more money than the sports card division.  Plain and Simple.  Upper management didn't and still don't have a clue regarding the gaming community and related businesses.  While many individuals, myself included, spoke openly with Score personnel about these poor decisions no one listened or felt they could change the minds of Don Russ management.

So here we are 05-03-05 4:30 PM and Score makes one of, what I believe, is the biggest bloopers on the road to failure.  Why?  Because it doesn't just effect players and the game play of DBZ/DBGT CCG or the new DBZ TCG.  Once that newsletter was sent, all prior product became essentially worthless.

Who does this effect?  This list is long.  While Score made its money and has "gotten paid," the chain of distribution that follows will never be able to fully recoup their losses.

Distributors like ACD and Alliance now have product in their warehouses that won't sell.  They may get some of their money back from selling it off cheap to the secondary market but with no real value left to it, I doubt it.

Retailers now have product on their shelves that is worthless, and most will be lucky to break even on what money was tied up in their stock.  Most will toss DBZ and DBGT CCGS to the bargain bin and hope for the best.  There may be a few collectors left out there to buy, but not very many.  And Score expects these retailers to stock the new DBZ TCG after this?  I wouldn't be surprised if many retailers refuse to stock Score product at their venue ever again.

eBay auctions and their sellers will suffer.  Prices will not only plummet but will be pointless to list.  Unless someone is looking for a specific card to complete a collection there is no incentive to purchase and DBZ CCG or DBGT CCG cards.  This effects any retailer listing cards for sale.  Huge companies like Card Haus and the like, now have stock that they will NEVER get the value out of.

Players now own pretty pieces of paper.  Collections are not worth the dust they will gather.  And Score thinks a player will toss more disposable income their way on their new re vamp of DBZ?  While this decision must be made by each individual, it is a gamble to say the least.  Because of Score's decision, the new release is already headed downhill and who is to say it will go over with players.  Will it even be supported by Score 6 months after its release in July if it doesn't sell well?

Score is already on shaky ground in the gaming community and many businesses have all but written them off already.  Some are surprised the company is still somehow remaining in business or hasn't been sold off to a larger conglomerate simply for the licenses they now own.  The backlash from the gaming community will come.  Score's decision has far reaching repercussions.  You effect so many businesses in their pocket book like this, you will not be received well.  Score is literally biting the hand that feeds them.

It is all about the money.  Score's decision is based on monetary need, but will really cost them money in the long run.  Prior players are more likely to not return.  The player base is shrinking.  And to strike at the businesses that also support their company, is ridiculous.  The gaming community as a whole will not forget this.  Score is shooting themselves in their own foot.

Everyone loses by this decision.  And eventually, Score will be on the losing end, as well.

This is my own humble opinion and observations.
Dennise Belden
DBZ/DBGT volunteer/judge
YYH volunteer/judge
Resident tournament coordinator for MetaGames Unlimited Springfield, Missouri