Major Companies That Make Game and Trading Cards

Leading Publishers by Category

The tabletop and trading card industry is dominated by a few key players, each specializing in different game types. Here's a breakdown of the major companies and their flagship products.

Trading Card Games (TCG/CCG) – Physical

• Wizards of the Coast (Hasbro): Magic: The Gathering (1993), Duel Masters, Kaijudo.
• The Pokémon Company International: Pokémon Trading Card Game (1996).
• Konami: Yu-Gi-Oh! TCG (1999).
• Bushiroad: Cardfight!! Vanguard, Weiß Schwarz, BanG Dream!.
• Bandai: Dragon Ball Super Card Game, Digimon Card Game, One Piece Card Game.
• Fantasy Flight Games (Asmodee): Android: Netrunner (discontinued), Star Wars: Destiny (discontinued), KeyForge (unique deck game).

Digital Collectible Card Games (DCCG)

• Blizzard Entertainment: Hearthstone (2014).
• CD Projekt Red: Gwent: The Witcher Card Game.
• Dire Wolf Digital: Eternal, The Elder Scrolls: Legends (discontinued).
• Valve: Artifact (discontinued).
• Second Dinner: Marvel Snap (2022).

Board & Card Game Publishers (Cards as Components)

• Asmodee Group: Owns Fantasy Flight, Z-Man, Days of Wonder, Repos Production. Titles: Arkham Horror LCG, Marvel Champions LCG, 7 Wonders.
• Stonemaier Games: Wingspan, Viticulture, Scythe (cards integral to gameplay).
• Rio Grande Games: Dominion (deck-builder pioneer), Race for the Galaxy.
• Stronghold Games / AEG: Thunderstone Quest, Smash Up.

Traditional Playing Cards & Tarot

• United States Playing Card Company (USPCC): Bicycle, Bee, Tally-Ho, Aviator, Kem (plastic). Prints for most major brands.
• Cartamundi: Global leader; produces Copag, Fournier, Modiano, and custom decks.
• Piatnik (Austria): Premium playing cards, tarot (e.g., Tarock), and board games since 1824.
• Lo Scarabeo / U.S. Games Systems: Specialize in tarot, oracle, and divination decks.

Sports & Non-Sport Trading Cards

• Fanatics (via Topps, Panini partnerships): MLB, NFL, NBA, NHL, WWE, UFC, Disney, Star Wars.
• Panini America: Soccer (FIFA, UEFA), NBA, NFL, Prizm, Donruss, Contenders.
• Upper Deck: NHL, Marvel, entertainment, high-end autograph/relic cards.
• Leaf Trading Cards: Niche sports, prospects, cut signatures.

How to Choose

Identify your interest: competitive TCG (Magic, Pokémon, Yu-Gi-Oh), digital CCG (Hearthstone, Marvel Snap), board games with cards (Arkham Horror, Dominion), traditional cards (Bicycle, tarot), or sports collectibles (Topps, Panini). Then explore that company's ecosystem—organized play, digital clients, secondary markets, and community resources.