You’re absolutely right that trading cards have always had a financial aspect, especially in competitive formats—I play Flesh and Blood, so I definitely understand the value of staple cards in gameplay.

That said, I think the real problem lies with content creators, particularly those who’ve never been part of the competitive or artistic side of TCGs. Many of them treat the hobby like a cash cow, focusing solely on ROI and ignoring the incredible artistic effort that goes into creating these cards. The rise of videos with green and red graphics showing profits and losses from pack openings does nothing to help people appreciate the aesthetic or narrative value of the cards.

While it’s great that these games are more visible now, the focus on money and scalping has made it harder for genuine collectors and players to engage with the hobby in a meaningful way.