Abstract: The method of the invention provides a process for a player to choose cards, for that player's “playing deck,” from potentially hundreds of collected cards. According to the invention, each collectible card is assigned to a particular class. The composition of the playing deck is controlled in that the playing deck may only include so many cards from each particular class. The class of a particular card may be indicated in any suitable manner. In accordance with one embodiment, the class is indicated by a series of colored dots. The number of classes may be widely varied. Also, the number of cards in a class may be varied. In accordance with one embodiment, a user may have more cards of one class than another class. Further, the basis upon which the collectible cards are assigned to a particular class may be varied. For example, the cards may be assigned based on power of the cards, versatility of the cards, commonality of the cards, the type of card, as well as any other suitable attribute.

Abstract: The method of the invention provides a process for a player to deploy cards in a card game. In particular, the invention provides a method for controlling the deployment of cards. In accordance with one embodiment of the method of the invention, character cards are divided into two groups. One group of character cards includes all the common cards. The common cards represent characters that there are “lots of” in a universe. A second group of character cards includes all the unique character cards. A unique character card may be stackable. A unique character card that is stackable indicates that multiple copies of that unique character card may be used in a particular fight, mission, location or any other event, depending on the particular card game. Alternatively, the common character cards may be stackable. Further, all cards in a playing deck of cards may be stackable, as is desirable, to control the use or deployment of the cards.

Abstract: A game package shell is provided with a panel which includes pieces for the game. The package shell is unitary, thus decreasing collating expenses and reducing errors in associating pieces with games. In one embodiment, the game piece panel can be removable and be folded onto a panel which is provided with game rules. Removal of the game piece panel thereby exposes the game rules.