MetaZoo

MetaZoo is a tabletop collectible card game based on cryptozoology, folklore and the paranormal published by GameQbator Labs Inc. MetaZoo centers around creatures known as "Beasties" which are inspired by cryptids and other figures from mythology and folklore such as Bigfoot, Mothman, and other fearsome critters.

MetaZoo

Designer	GameQbator Labs
Publisher	MetaZoo Games LLC. (2020—2024) GameQbator Labs (2025—)
Release date	August 1, 2020; 4 years ago (2020-08-01)
Type	Collectible
Players	2
Skills	Card playing Basic arithmetic Reading
Chance	Some (mulligan, order of cards drawn, varying card abilities)
Website	metazootcg.com

The original publisher, MetaZoo Games LLC, filed for bankruptcy in 2024. The rights to publish MetaZoo were sold to MetaTwo Enterprises LLC.^[1] On November 15, 2024, GameQbator Labs announced it had entered into a partnership with MetaTwo Enterprises to continue development of the MetaZoo card game. ^[2]

GameQbator Labs released MetaZoo Base Set on March 28, 2025, marking the first release under the new publisher.

History

After a successful crowdfunding campaign during the COVID-19 pandemic that raised $18,249 through Kickstarter, MetaZoo was first officially launched with the release of MetaZoo: Cryptid Nation, the first full set of the game.^[3]

In 2021 DJ and music producer Steve Aoki became full equity partner and a designated cofounder while Game Kastle and Hobby Games Distribution, Inc. founder Shaw Mead was named COO of the company.^[4] Highly sought-after cards and items that skyrocketed in the secondary market helped MetaZoo grow quickly during 2021^[5] and, by the end of the year, many of its cards were among the top 10 most submitted items to the Collectors Universe card grader Professional Sports Authenticator (PSA) within a two-month period.^[6]

On January 29, 2024, MetaZoo Games LCC founder Michael Waddell wrote on the company's official Discord server that it was shutting down production effective immediately. The company filed for chapter 7 bankruptcy. The rights to publish MetaZoo were sold to MetaTwo LLC. in bankruptcy court for $2 million.

Led by CEO Rick Arons, GameQbator Labs launched MetaZoo Base Set on March 28, 2025 marking the first product published under new ownership. MetaZoo Base Set features a new card back and different gameplay mechanics than the original release.

Gameplay

The gameplay of MetaZoo published by MetaZoo Games LLC was often compared to the Pokémon Trading Card Game due to its cartoon-like artwork, the gameplay resembles more that of games such as Magic: The Gathering.^[7] Like many trading card games, the goal of MetaZoo is to reduce the Life Points of all opponents from 1000 to 0.^[3] The game features "fourth-wall effects", which incorporate the real environment of players into gameplay. Examples include avoiding damage by drinking when playing the cactus cat card, taking damage if near a radio while using the Metal Man of Alabama card, and reducing damage by screaming while playing the Jersey Devil card.^[5]

MetaZoo Games LLC allowed experienced players to apply to become "MetaZoologists", or volunteer as tournament judges, by taking official tests to prove their knowledge of the game's rules.^[5]

Development

Artwork

The artwork of MetaZoo was initially based on the style of late 1990s card games, particularly the Pokémon Trading Card Game and the artwork of Ken Sugimori.^[5] Beginning with MetaZoo Base Set, GameQbator Labs have worked with new illustrators to feature more diverse art styles on collectible cards.

Releases

MetaZoo Base Set was released on March 28, 2025 by GameQbator Labs with a new card back and all-new gameplay.

Under its initial publisher, MetaZoo Games LLC, MetaZoo released special sets in collaboration with other intellectual properties and external companies. The trading card company Topps released a special set of collector cards inspired by and depicting art from MetaZoo: Cryptid Nation in October 2021.^[8]

Announced during the 2023 San Diego Comic-Con, MetaZoo released their promotional crossover with Sanrio titled Kuromi's Cryptid Carnival on November 17, 2023. It features Hello Kitty and other related characters.^[9]

Hiroquest: Genesis

Main article: Hiroquest: Genesis

Hiroquest: Genesis (stylized as HiROQUEST: Genesis) is a promotional crossover set released together with the concept album of the same name by Steve Aoki on September 16, 2022.^[10][11] Although the set takes place in the same MetaZoo universe the story features different characters such as Hiro, the protagonist of the story who is on a journey to find the magical rings that are mentioned in the Black Pullet, an 18th-century French grimoire. The cards of this set feature Hiro and other characters belonging to five factions called melodias which correspond to the five musical interludes in which the album is divided into.^[12]