Exclusive Q&A With CookieRun: Braverse TCG

TCGplayer met with Hye Sung Yang, CookieRun TCG Global Business Strategy Lead, and Julie Ahn, CookieRun TCG Global Business Manager, to answer your questions and get a behind the scenes look at how CookieRun: Braverse TCG was developed and what’s next for the TCG.

Index
Creating CookieRun: Braverse TCG
What Sellers Should Know
Cards On The Table
Breaking Down The Mechanics
For The Players
What’s Coming Next
Bonus Questions
List Your Inventory

Creating CookieRun: Braverse TCG

What inspired Devsisters to expand the CookieRun universe into a trading card game?One question guided us from the very beginning: "What would make this feel unmistakably like CookieRun?"

There are already a lot of great trading card games out there, so we never wanted to create "just another TCG." What excited us was the opportunity to translate everything people love about CookieRun—its colorful characters, expressive personalities, and sense of adventure—into something players could experience face to face.

At the same time, we knew the game had to stand on its own. It needed to be approachable enough for someone who's never touched a trading card game before, while offering enough strategic depth that experienced players would keep discovering new ways to play.

The most rewarding moments for us are when longtime CookieRun fans sit down to play their very first TCG—or when veteran TCG players discover CookieRun through the game. Seeing those two communities come together is exactly what we hoped to create.

What were the biggest challenges in translating the CookieRun world and its characters into a competitive card game?
One of the biggest challenges was translating each Cookie's unique personality and abilities into card mechanics while maintaining a balanced and enjoyable game.

Some Cookies are incredibly powerful in the CookieRun universe, but that doesn't always translate directly into a trading card game. We have to carefully balance gameplay so that every card creates meaningful strategic choices rather than simply reflecting a character's power in the original story.

There are also times when a Cookie's signature traits don't naturally fit within the mechanics of a TCG, so we reinterpret those characteristics in ways that stay true to the character while creating fun and engaging gameplay.

Our goal has always been to capture the charm of the CookieRun universe while designing a game that's balanced, strategic, and enjoyable for both competitive and casual players.

What makes CookieRun: Braverse different from other trading card games currently on the market?
There are many trading card games with compelling mechanics, beautiful artwork, and competitive play. For us, the real question was not simply how to create another strong card game, but what kind of experience CookieRun: Braverse TCG could uniquely bring to the table.

We believe its greatest strength is its ability to bring together people who may have very different reasons for being there.

Some players come because they already love the CookieRun characters and world. Others are experienced TCG players looking for a new strategic challenge. Some enjoy competition, while others simply want to collect their favorite characters or spend time playing with friends and family. CookieRun: Braverse TCG gives all of those players a reason to sit at the same table.

One thing we have learned while bringing the product to different markets is that people rarely stay with a trading card game because of the cards alone. They stay because they find people they enjoy playing with and a community they feel part of. That is why we view Organized Play, local card shop events, promotional cards, and community programs as more than marketing activities or rewards. They are ways to create repeated opportunities for people to meet, play together, and build meaningful connections around the game.

The experience we hope to create is simple: someone discovers the game, enjoys it, and brings a friend the next time. That friend may later bring someone else. Eventually, what began as a single match becomes a group of friends, a family activity, or a lasting local community.

What makes CookieRun: Braverse TCG different is not only how the game is played, but how naturally it can be shared. We do not simply want to build a game that attracts players—we want to build one that connects them.

How are you planning to attract existing TCG players while also bringing new players into the hobby through CookieRun: Braverse TCG?
One of the most important things we have learned while bringing CookieRun: Braverse TCG to market is that experienced TCG players and newcomers need different reasons to enter—and continue playing—the game.

For experienced players, the gameplay itself has to be compelling. CookieRun: Braverse TCG offers a distinctive strategic experience, but we also know that even a strong core game can lose momentum if the environment remains unchanged for too long.

That is why we continue to introduce new mechanics, card interactions, and colors that reshape how the game is played. Each release should give existing players new strategies to explore and new reasons to rebuild their decks. These changes also create natural opportunities for former players to return and discover that the game has evolved since they last played.

For newcomers, the first experience is critical. A trading card game can appear intimidating until someone sits down, learns the basics, and plays their first match. Our priority is therefore to create as many accessible entry points as possible.

We are working with card shops across different regions to provide Learn-to-Play programs and demo sessions, while also introducing the game through conventions, community gatherings, and other live events. The familiar CookieRun characters and world help lower the initial barrier, while the demo experience allows new players to discover that the game is approachable, interactive, and strategically rewarding.

Ultimately, our approach is built around two goals: keeping the game fresh enough that experienced players always have something new to master, and making the first step simple enough that anyone can confidently sit down and play.

We want every new release to feel like an invitation—an invitation for existing players to explore the game again, for former players to return, and for someone completely new to play their very first match.

What Sellers Should Know

What types of sellers or stores do you think are best positioned to succeed with CookieRun: Braverse TCG?
The stores that thrive with CookieRun: Braverse TCG aren't necessarily the ones with the biggest shelves—they're the ones with the busiest tables.

The most successful stores we've seen don't just sell products. They host prereleases, run Organized Play, teach new players, and create a place where people actually want to spend time together.

CookieRun naturally attracts a wide range of players—from longtime TCG veterans to families, casual gamers, and fans who simply love the characters. Stores that embrace all of those audiences tend to build the strongest communities.

For us, success isn't measured only by how many booster boxes a store sells. It's also measured by how many players are still chatting, trading cards, and playing games after the tournament has already ended.

What should retailers expect during the first year of CookieRun: Braverse TCG in terms of product releases and support?
The first year is the most important period for any trading card game. It's the time that often determines whether a game simply has a successful launch—or whether it grows into a lasting brand.

Because of that, we don't believe success is defined only by releasing products on schedule. Just as important is how quickly you listen to your community, respond to feedback, and continue improving the experience for both retailers and players.

One of our biggest strengths is that Devsisters isn't just the publisher—we're also the creator and owner of the CookieRun IP. We're directly involved in every stage of the business, from game development and publishing to Organized Play and global operations.

That allows us to react much faster than a traditional publishing model. If retailers identify operational challenges, or if players tell us there's something we can improve, we can evaluate that feedback, make decisions, and implement meaningful changes quickly.

Of course, retailers can continue to expect regular product releases, Organized Play, promotional cards, demo events, and ongoing marketing support. But more importantly, they can expect a brand that listens, adapts, and grows alongside its community.

Our goal isn't simply to launch a successful trading card game. It's to build a brand that retailers, players, and fans can continue growing with for many years to come.

How do I stock CookieRun: Braverse TCG?
One of our biggest goals has always been making CookieRun: Braverse TCG easy to discover—whether you're a retailer or a player.

Across North America, local game stores can order through our official distribution partners, while players can find products at participating game stores, TCGplayer, Amazon, and other authorized retailers.

Our recent launch on TCGplayer was an especially exciting milestone because it makes it much easier for players to find both sealed products and the exact single cards they're looking for.

We're still expanding, and our goal is simple: wherever someone wants to start playing CookieRun: Braverse TCG, we want it to be easy for them to do so.

Check out ACD Distribution for more information on stocking CookieRun: Braverse TCG.

Cards On The Table

Are there any standout card treatments or rarities that fans should be excited to discover?We wanted every pack in Set 6 to feel like a new discovery. This set introduces brand-new original artwork for a number of Cookies that has never been revealed before, giving players and collectors even more illustrations to discover throughout the entire set—not just among the highest rarities.

One feature we're especially excited about is that each Hidden card includes a unique signature design created to reflect the personality of its Cookie. Rather than using the same signature style across every card, we designed each one individually so that it feels true to the character it represents.

We hope players won't simply be looking for the rarest cards, but will also enjoy discovering new artwork and collecting the unique personality expressed in each Cookie's signature.

Ultimately, we want every booster pack to feel like it holds something exciting waiting to be discovered.

Are there any cool promo cards in CookieRun: Braverse TCG?
Absolutely! Promo cards are an important part of the CookieRun: Braverse TCG experience.

We regularly release seasonal promo cards, event-exclusive cards, and Organized Play rewards that can't be obtained through standard booster packs. Players can earn them by participating in local game store events, Organized Play programs, and special promotional campaigns throughout the year.

We've also released collaboration promo cards featuring well-known franchises like The Powerpuff Girls. Those cards have been especially popular with collectors and have generated a lot of interest in the secondary market.

We see promo cards as more than just collectibles—they're a way to celebrate players' participation in the community while offering unique cards that fans will be excited to own. We'll continue expanding our promo program with more exclusive and collector-focused releases in the future.

Is there a favorite card, character, or mechanic that the team is particularly proud of?Without a doubt, my favorite is Dark Enchantress Cookie from Set 5 and the Special Summon mechanic that was designed around her.

Dark Enchantress Cookie is one of the most iconic villains in the CookieRun universe, so we felt that simply making her a powerful card wasn't enough. We wanted players to feel the impact of her arrival the moment she entered the field. That question became the starting point for the design.

Because Set 5 also introduces her transformation from a human into Dark Enchantress Cookie, we wanted to capture that moment through gameplay rather than just artwork. That's how the Special Summon mechanic was born.

By sending a lower-level Cookie to the Trash to bring a far more powerful Cookie onto the field, the mechanic creates the feeling of making a sacrifice to summon an overwhelming presence. It felt like the perfect way to express who Dark Enchantress Cookie is—not just as a powerful character, but as a force that changes the entire battlefield the moment she appears.

Personally, I hope players experience that first Special Summon and think, "This is exactly how Dark Enchantress Cookie should feel."

Moments where a character's story and the gameplay come together naturally are always the most rewarding to create, and this remains one of the mechanics I'm proudest of.

Breaking Down The Mechanics

Are there particular mechanics or themes that you feel best capture the spirit of CookieRun?
I believe the mechanic that best captures the spirit of CookieRun is our Battle Area system, because it reflects what CookieRun has always been about—Cookies moving forward together.

From the very beginning, CookieRun has never been about a single hero carrying the entire adventure. It's about different Cookies stepping forward at the right moment, supporting one another, and overcoming challenges as a team.

When we began designing the trading card game, preserving that feeling was one of our highest priorities.

That's why, in CookieRun: Braverse TCG, only two Cookies can occupy the Battle Area at any given time. As one Cookie leaves the battle, another immediately steps in, creating a natural relay that feels like passing the baton from one teammate to the next.

Since every Cookie has different HP, abilities, and strengths, players are constantly deciding not only which Cookies to bring, but when each Cookie should take the stage. That creates meaningful strategic decisions while preserving the fast-paced rhythm and teamwork that define the CookieRun universe.

For us, the Battle Area isn't just a gameplay mechanic—it's our way of translating the identity of CookieRun into a trading card game.

Will you stop printing the first base sets eventually as they are and instead possibly issue reprints for collectability? For example, in the future sell BS1 boxes with a different form of art or wording on the box or removing banned cards? Or even having the fine print be different such as adding something like "second printing"? This would drive collectable value for the first prints of the booster boxes.
At this time, we don't have plans to reprint our original booster sets in their existing form.

That said, we also recognize that as older sets go out of print, some important cards inevitably become harder for players to obtain. We want to strike a balance between preserving the uniqueness of early products and ensuring that the game remains accessible to new and returning players.

Rather than reprinting an entire booster set, we're exploring the possibility of releasing curated products that reintroduce popular and frequently used cards from multiple expansions. We believe this approach can improve card availability while allowing the original printings to retain their identity as collectible products.

How will you handle power creep long term with CookieRun: Braverse TCG? Will you keep a formula that ensures newer cards don't out perform older cards?
Managing power creep is one of our highest priorities as we continue to grow CookieRun: Braverse TCG.

Rather than simply making each new expansion more powerful than the last, our design philosophy is to introduce new strategies, mechanics, and deck-building options for each color. This allows the metagame to evolve naturally without relying on raw power increases.

We also make a conscious effort to design new cards that work alongside cards from previous sets, allowing older cards to remain relevant through new synergies instead of being replaced outright. Our goal is to support a healthy metagame where multiple deck archetypes can coexist and players can continue building on the cards they already own.

Ultimately, we want CookieRun: Braverse TCG to reward creativity and strategic deck building, not just the newest cards.

For The Players

What's one detail about CookieRun: Braverse TCG that players might overlook, but the team hopes they'll appreciate?
One detail we hope players come to appreciate is just how much thought goes into every single card.

Our goal has never been to simply turn CookieRun characters into trading cards. Instead, we always ask ourselves questions like, "If this Cookie were brought to life in a trading card game, how should they play?" or "What's the best way to capture this character's story through gameplay?" Those questions shape every part of our design process.

For example, Awakened Golden Cheese Cookie was inspired by her story in CookieRun: Kingdom. After being defeated by Burning Spice Cookie, she rises stronger than before, and we wanted players to experience that moment for themselves. That's why her Awakening mechanic allows her to return to the field from the Break Area—it isn't just a gameplay mechanic, it's a way of telling her story through play.

You'll find many moments like this throughout CookieRun: Braverse TCG. Some are obvious, while others are small details that longtime CookieRun fans might recognize. We love hearing players say, "Wait... that's why this card works that way!" Those moments tell us we've successfully connected the CookieRun universe with the gameplay experience.

So the next time you open a booster pack, don't just look at what a card does—take a moment to think about why it was designed that way. You might discover a little piece of the CookieRun story hidden inside.

What kinds of events or competitive experiences can players look forward to?
One of the things I'm most excited about is that there's no single "right" way to enjoy Organized Play.

Some players love competing for championship titles, while others simply want to meet new friends, collect promo cards, or spend an afternoon playing CookieRun at their local game store. We think all of those experiences are equally important.

That's why our Organized Play program offers something for everyone. Players can start with Brave League at their local stores, continue through Regionals and other competitive events, and ultimately work toward our Championship tournaments if that's the path they choose.

At the same time, we're continuing to support demo events and casual play experiences so that anyone can sit down, learn the game, and immediately feel part of the community. For us, a successful event isn't measured only by who wins the tournament. It's measured by whether players leave saying, "I can't wait to come back next week."

That's the kind of Organized Play experience we're working to build.

Will there be a time when players interested will get the opportunity to playtest?
At the moment, we don't have plans to offer public playtesting, primarily due to the need to protect unreleased content and maintain a fair experience for all players.

That said, player feedback plays a huge role in how we develop the game. Several members of our development team are longtime TCG players themselves and continue to actively play CookieRun: Braverse TCG, so they're constantly evaluating the game from a player's perspective.

We also spend a lot of time listening to the community at tournaments, local game store events, and other Organized Play activities. The feedback we receive from players is carefully reviewed and regularly influences future card designs, mechanics, and overall game balance.

What’s Coming Next

What are the goals of this new TCG addition and your market share overtake projections?Our ambition goes far beyond becoming one of the best-selling trading card games. We want CookieRun: Braverse TCG to become a global brand that players continue to enjoy, collect, and share for many years.

To achieve that, we're building much more than a series of card releases. We're investing in Organized Play, local communities, live events, and meaningful player experiences that keep the game exciting long after someone opens their first booster pack.

We're also expanding globally. Following our launches in Korea and North America, we're preparing for additional regions, including Europe and Oceania, with the long-term vision of synchronized worldwide releases so players everywhere can experience new expansions together.

Beyond being a great game, we also want CookieRun: Braverse TCG to become a brand that collectors believe in. By continually introducing memorable characters, premium cards, and products that hold long-term appeal, we hope to build a collecting culture that players are excited to invest in and proud to be part of.

Of course, market share is important, but we see it as the result—not the goal.

If players love the game, retailers are successful, communities continue to grow, and collectors believe our products are worth collecting for years to come, then we believe sustainable market leadership will naturally follow.

Our ultimate goal is simple: to build a trading card game that people don't just play today, but one they'll still be playing, collecting, and talking about many years from now.

Are there areas of the CookieRun universe you're especially eager to explore in future expansions?
One of the most exciting things about CookieRun is just how much of its universe is still waiting to be explored.

So far, CookieRun: Braverse TCG has focused primarily on the world of CookieRun: Kingdom, but that's really only the beginning. The CookieRun universe is filled with memorable characters, unique worlds, and stories that we'd love to bring to the tabletop in the future.

At the same time, we're not just retelling existing stories—we're creating new ones. Beginning with Set 6, players will experience original storylines and brand-new artwork created exclusively for CookieRun: Braverse TCG, offering surprises that even longtime CookieRun fans have never seen before.

Our goal is for every new expansion to feel like opening the next chapter of the CookieRun universe. Whether you're discovering a familiar Cookie in a completely new way or meeting an original character for the first time, we want every set to give players a reason to wonder, "What could possibly come next?"

And honestly... we're just getting started.

What excites you most about the future of CookieRun: Braverse TCG?
What excites me most is seeing players around the world come together as one community through CookieRun: Braverse TCG.

CookieRun is already a beloved global IP, and one of our biggest goals is to create a game where players can meet, compete, and share memorable experiences together. Through Organized Play, local game store events, and global tournaments, we hope to continue growing a welcoming community that players will enjoy being part of for years to come.

At the same time, we're equally excited about building CookieRun: Braverse TCG into a brand with lasting collectible appeal. We want our cards to be more than just game pieces—we want them to be meaningful collectibles that players are proud to own and continue collecting over time.

By continuing to create unique artwork, exclusive promo cards, special collaborations, and premium card treatments, we hope to build a healthy collecting ecosystem alongside a great competitive game. Our vision is for CookieRun: Braverse TCG to be a game that players love to play and a collection they're excited to grow for many years to come.

Bonus Questions

Do you plan to make miniatures of the Dragon Boat? You should…
The Miniature Dragon Boat has already made its debut as an Item card in Set 2.

A real-life miniature, though? That's a fun suggestion. We can't make any promises just yet, but it would certainly look great on a collector's shelf!

Which cookie would still love me if I was a worm?
Definitely Cream Ferret Cookie. I don't think they'd even question it. They'd just smile and say, "A worm? Awesome! A new friend!"

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Get your CookieRun: Braverse TCG inventory listed on the Marketplace. Interested in learning more? Check out CookieRun: Braverse Trading Card Game for information on how to stock CookieRun, what products are available, how to run events, and more.

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