When Jason Masherah was just 12 years old, he started collecting trading cards, beginning with the Garbage Pail Kids – a favorite among kids but not so much with parents. Fast forward to today, Masherah is now the head of a prominent San Diego County company deeply involved in pop culture.
As the president of Upper Deck in Carlsbad, Masherah found himself in an ideal setting on the first full day of San Diego Comic-Con 2024, surrounded by enthusiastic fans. Established in 1989, Upper Deck initially focused on sports trading cards, particularly baseball. However, during the early ‘90s, the company shifted its attention to entertainment, expanding its offerings to include memorabilia, prints, and digital collectibles.
“Entertainment has always been a core part of our company,” Masherah explained. This evolution was showcased at the Comic-Con panel titled “Upper Deck and Neopets: Neopia Reimagined,” where Masherah discussed the company’s foray into the gaming industry and its collaboration with Neopets, the beloved digital pet game.
Their partnership resulted in the recent launch of a new game called “Battledome,” which allows fans to engage in gameplay using both physical and digital trading cards. In this game, players immerse themselves in the world of Neopia, battling as digital pets or fairies against other fans. The battles involve a variety of elements such as weapons, shields, potions, and more.
Neopets CEO Dominic Law expressed his company’s attraction to Upper Deck, citing their expertise in licensed products. “It was a natural choice for us to collaborate with Upper Deck on this project,” Law remarked. For Upper Deck, the dedicated and passionate fan base of Neopets was a major appeal. “We are thrilled to partner with a community that is so passionate about the game,” Masherah noted.
Both companies have been pleased with the positive feedback received for the game so far. Masherah emphasized the importance of community and the ability to share experiences with friends from all over the world. The collaboration between Upper Deck and Neopets has opened up new avenues for fans to engage with the game in innovative ways.
The Neopets Battledome Trading Card Game has brought a fresh and exciting dimension to the gaming industry, merging physical and digital elements to create an immersive experience for players. With the successful launch of “Battledome,” the future looks promising for both Upper Deck and Neopets as they continue to captivate audiences with their innovative creations.