Isle of Wight trading card game aiming to rival Yu-Gi-Oh and Pokémon

Michael Evans-Taylor, who lives in Ryde and owns Outland video game store on the high street, has created Animal Kingdom, alongside friends Alice and James.

The two to four-player game was first formed around five years ago, but really came to life during the first Covid lockdown.

"I'm really passionate about card games", Michael told the Isle of Wight County Press.

"When we made it we were making a game to play between ourselves because we play a lot of card games and we wanted to try one we haven't played before".

Although he admits the trading card game market is congested, Michael hopes his invention has one big difference that makes it stand out among the rest.

He said: "Unlike a lot of other card games there is no direct combat.

"In most of them the aim is to face off against one person or multiple people and you are either trying to kill them or reduce their life to zero.

"In this one it is quite the opposite. Everyone is in the game until the end and the aim is there is a threshold of renown it's called in the game.

An example of the game via table top simulator.

"You don't throw things at people to damage them or anything like that. It's all about building up your city, building up your resources and gaining renown for it."

Animal Kingdom has been tested among players, and has already hit some game shops across the UK.

Now, Michael is hoping to take it to the next level.

He aims to use crowdfunding website, Kickstarter, to raise £60,000, to promote and distribute it.

An example of the game via table top simulator.

So does Michael ever think it will be as big as Yu-Gi-Oh! and Pokémon?

"I would love to think that one day it would be", he said.

Those wanting to play Animal Kingdom can also head to the website where there are downloadable decks.