Hasbro is testing a video game based on Magic: The Gathering’s Commander format, according to an article published on BNN Bloomberg.
A few very interesting tidbits of information about the future of Magic: The Gathering were revealed in this interview with Chris Cocks, CEO of Hasbro. Cocks has been fairly straightforward, throughout his entire tenure as CEO, about his affinity towards adding and expanding digital revenue sources that revolve around Magic: The Gathering and Dungeons & Dragons in particular (see “Magic Plans“). His big achievements in this category, thus far, have been the successful launch and rise of MTG Arena and the acquisition of D&D Beyond.
As great as MTG Arena and D&D Beyond is (for Hasbro’s revenue), Cocks’ sights seem to be set on harnessing the even greater revenue potential of the Magic’s most popular format, Commander, as another digital revenue source. The article states that Hasbro has been testing a new Commander format video game, separate from MTG Arena, that is being designed of multiplayer games. The company is also attempting to find ways of making the digital versions of the cards in this video game more collectible. Making digital copies of cards more collectible was an aspect that was mostly lacking in MTG Arena, and if Hasbro would be able to enhance this aspect of TCGs to a Commander format-based video game, it would be a major draw for players and boon to digital revenue.
Of course, one of the main headwinds to the success of a Commander video game is that Commander has been a primarily IRL format (which is something the Commander community prides itself upon), and playing this casual format online may not be that appealing to some members of current player base. Commander decks are also constructed from cards across every set, which is also something that adds to the appeal of the format. This facet of the format would be difficult to replicate online as it would be a monumental programming task to catalog and create digital cards for every playable Magic card in existence (as there are over 27,000 unique cards printed throughout Magic history).
However, as WotC recently took over Commander from the RC and unveiled a new direction for deck construction (see “Power Levels“), it is very feasble for WotC will use their new tiered system of card power levels to help craft an appealing online format with a more limited, curated selection of cards. This should do well with the at least parts of the current Commander player base, and increase the overall popularity of the format.
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