Video Game Books? In 2025?
I just got back from the book fair at my kids’ school. Remember those? The racks of Scholastic books, posters, stickers, and folders? They are still going strong, except Lisa Frank and Michael Jordan have been replaced with kawaii styled animals and food items and video game characters respectively. Old series like Baby Sitters Club and Goosebumps are revamped for a new generation, too.
But the thing that blew my mind were the amount of video game themed books. Loads of unofficial guides to Minecraft, Roblox, and others - basically telling you about the game and how to play it. Things you could find on the internet for free (with a slew of ads) but here’s its $5.99+ for a printed companion book! There were multiple official books for Pokemon, graphic novels for Sonic and others.
Also interesting were the amount of video game themed stories and comics making you feel “in game” and featuring YouTubers and others, like FGTeeV. I really didn’t think this would be a viable market, but they must be selling well enough!
Your favorite artist’s favorite artist is also a gamer - Chappell Roan took over 2024 and apparently also loves Fortnite. She already has one emote in the game with another coming this year. And now she has official items in Roblox for some of her biggest songs.
Have your kids been asking for a Fanum tax? (More on that later) Well, it comes from Fanum one of the biggest streamers and content creators out there.
Sometimes you get tired as a parent and this is an ingenious “play with your kids” game - however, I also have two boys and could see them trying to make it gross after a while 🙄
Video games and the medical industry continue to intertwine. Now there’s a one-minute video game that can help diagnose autism in children
More games are coming to Netflix, with a focus on couch co-op as well as using them to expand current IP
US consumers spent $50.6B (yes, Billion) on video game content in 2024, with mobile game spending accounting for $26B of it 💰. This is just spending on microtransactions and in-game items like cosmetics, skins, upgrades, etc. If all those gamers pooled their money, maybe they could buy TikTok.
Pokemon: TCG Pocket
I’ve mentioned this mobile game previously but it’s easily one of my favorite free-to-play games, especially to satiate my boys’ intense love for Pokemon. It’s a digital adaptation of the Pokemon Trading Card Game - you can battle, trade, but most importantly collect!! Every 12 hours you get a free pack to open - so your kids can open Pokemon cards without you having to shell out cash.
The Basics:
Released: October 30, 2024
Platforms: Mobile
Pricing: Free with in-game purchases
If you want to get started - here’s a breakdown of some of the main screens - The tutorial is very good though and will easily get you started:
The main home screen
At the top you will be able to access (L-R): your card showcases (this is deeper stuff, not something to worry about at the start), your profile in the middle, vouchers, messages, and then gifts. A red dot means there’s something new.
These are the different sets of cards you can choose from
The two little tickets above the word “MAX” indicates the free packs you have to open, otherwise there is a timer showing you how long until you can open a free pack. The hourglasses are items you can accumulate and use to lessen your timer
Wonder Pick lets you blind pick 1 card from someone else’s pack opening. You use hearts (they replenish over time) to do so.
Shop - you can pay for in-game content here
Missions - You get rewards for accomplishing different tasks
The Nav Bar (L-R): Home, Card Collection, Social Tab, Battle Tab, Menu
The two little tickets above the word “MAX” indicates the free packs you have to open, otherwise there is a timer showing you how long until you can open a free pack. The hourglasses are items you can accumulate and use to lessen your timer
A carousel showcasing some of the cards available in this pack
The pack you want to open - to open it tap the pack
You get points for opening packs which you can spend on specific cards if you are looking for something special
Options
“Offering Rates” - Tells you pack odds
Back arrow to go back home
“Select other booster packs” - gives you the chance to pick a different set
Fanum Tax: (noun) - A phrase used before or after snagging a bite of your friend’s/SO’s food.
“Hey! That’s my cheesesteak”
“Sorry, just a Fanum Tax”
2025 should be another big year for gaming. We’ll give you the games to look out for this year in an upcoming issue.
GL HF,
Chris
