How Earthcore’s gentle, paywall-less monetization strategy is rewarded by its players

In the booming digital collectible card games (CCG) market, the cards seem to be stacked against newcomers.

SuperData Research estimates 2015 revenue in the genre at $1.3 billion worldwide, driven by CCG’s suitability for play sessions on smartphones and tablets. The market leaders rely on established brands such as WarCraft, Marvel and Magic: The Gathering, with more heavy-hitters like Star Wars and The Elder Scrolls on their way to the card tables.