Magic: The Gathering

Hia, Uy, Minsky, Mohapatra, Saxe

October 2, 2015, an important day for MTG...

Planeswalkers

Spells

Archetypes

HISTORY

Genesis:August 51993

“So, with Magic, my game was inspired by the mechanics. I was interested in designing a game in which people could construct their own decks, and that was the root of the game.

It wasn’t until months later that I came up with the idea of attaching a magical theme to it. But another game I designed, Pecking Order, which is kind of an abstract bluffing game, has the motif of birds landing on posts, and the better posts are occupied by birds higher on the pecking order.”

*An Interview with Richard Garfield, Creator of Magic: The Gathering, Vice

First Modern “CCG”

Secondary Market

A rare "Alpha Black Lotus" card, from waaaay back in 1993, has gone for $27,302 on eBay, owing both to the fact it's rare (one of only 1100 printed) and also because it was in almost perfect condition.

*Rare Magic Card Sells For $27,000, Kotaku

Pro Tour1996

2002

1997 2012

FranchiseAnnouncedJune 12, 2014

*‘Game Of Thrones’ Scribe Bryan Cogman Takes On ‘Magic The Gathering’ For Fox, Deadline

Summary:

*Rare Magic Card Sells For $27,000, Kotaku

● 1991: WOTC founded● 1993: M:TG debut● 1994: M:TG won Mensa Top 5 Mind Games● 1995: 250+ WOTC employees, $65+ million in sales● 1996: M:TG Pro Tour● 1997: WOTC acquired TSR (D&D makers)● 1999: WOTC prints Pokemon TCG (blows away sports cards)● 1999: Hasbro acquired WOTC

WHAT THEY CARE ABOUT

Skill at the game

Putting together impressive decks

Collecting powerful or rare cards

Knowledge about upcoming cards and rules

SOCIAL NORMS&

STATUS

CONTEXT BASED

In Person Interaction

● More relaxed rules in casual play, tournaments are formal

○ Stick to your weight class

○ Be courteous to other players

○ Competitive play has a very rigid etiquette to it.

○ If you lose, you should offer the loser a handshake and say “Good game.”

● Different collection tactics andmotivations

Tournaments: “Details are forgotten, raw numbers aren’t.” - Sam Black, professional Magic player

Skill and Expertise

● Magic, especially high-level Magic, has a lot of its own lingo and shorthand

● The most respect is gained from knowledge and perceived level of skill at playing and winning the game. These are considered different skills.

● People play Magic for all kinds of reasons, but most are in it to win.

Specialization

● A lot of respect can be gained from being really great at one aspect of the game.

● Some players are particularly well known for their deckbuilding, while others are known for playing specific versions like limited or modern

● Red is the least respected deck-type. It’s considered less impressive if you win with a “burn” deck than if you do it with something more complicated.

Online

● Magic accounts● Forums

○ Moderators

○ Topic threads about the game

○ Topic threads

mildly related tothe game

GROUP COHESION

Exchanging Gifts (Knowledge)

● 18+ ‘core’ sets● 69+ ‘expansion sets● cumulative levels of complexity + game mechanics lend

themselves to a dynamic of explaining / arguing● numerous opportunities to ‘teach’ / listen to yourself talk

Jostling For Social (Equality)

“Wizards' market research, he said, showed a ratio of 62% male to 38% female in their player base. As many people noted, this percentage is way above female participation at Grand Prixs, SCG Opens, the Pro Tour, or even at FNMs. In these environments, female participation is more likely to range from one in twenty to one in one hundred players, or between 1 and 5 percent.

It stands to reason that if these women aren't showing up to competitive events, then they're casual “kitchen table” players. What's keeping them from transitioning to competitive environments?”

*Women In Magic: the Gathering, StarCityGames

SUMMARY:

● As fanbase expands and grows, assumptions around who is a fan/player evolve and are challenged.

● Environment dictates specific rules about social conduct, but generallythe expectation is to not be a jerk.

● Despite the norms created in the fan community, in the end, the game is the most important. *(opinion)