Hasbro testing online Commander game, will this affect MTG Arena?

As a long-time Magic The Gathering enthusiast and someone who cherishes the camaraderie and social dynamics that Commander brings to the table, I find myself both excited and apprehensive about Hasbro’s plans for an online Commander client. On one hand, the idea of being able to play my favorite format anytime, anywhere sounds like a dream come true. But on the other hand, the fear of losing the unique charm that Commander holds in real-life gatherings is very real.


The Commander format within Magic The Gathering has gained immense popularity, leading its manufacturer, Hasbro, to explore various avenues for monetization. Notably, Hasbro CEO Chris Cocks has acknowledged that they are currently experimenting with an online platform specifically designed for Commander games.

In a recent investors’ meeting, the CEO mentioned that Hasbro intends to develop a long-term strategy focusing on enhancing collectibility and social play experiences, which would be distinct from their current digital offerings like Magic Online and Magic: Arena.

Cocks stated that we’re persistently pouring resources into Arena, recreating all its card sets, and planning for continuous updates to modernize the platform. This means you can expect further announcements about this project in the coming years. Essentially, it’s a long-term digital endeavor. As you may have noticed, Magic’s growth has predominantly occurred in social play formats like Commander and collectability. Therefore, we intend to focus on these aspects within our digital platform for the foreseeable future.

They aim to recreate the wild successes they’ve witnessed with Marvel Snap and Pokemon TCG Pocket, but they overlook the key element of Commander. On the surface, it may seem straightforward – distribute your top-selling format widely. However, the essence of Commander lies elsewhere.

Commander, or EDH (Elder Dragon Highlander), is Magic: The Gathering’s most sociable game mode, and its strong social aspect is a key factor in its popularity. I’m not sure if any online product could replicate this successfully. In all honesty, I wouldn’t wager on it unless the digital version offers significantly more social interaction than what Magic currently provides online.

Apart from discussing Commander updates, Cocks also revealed that Hasbro has poured over a billion dollars into the creation of video games. Some of these upcoming projects involve fresh Dungeons & Dragons and G.I. Joe productions.

Using the licenses they possess, Hasbro’s executives might be puzzling over why these games aren’t generating substantial profits. The unfortunate truth is that most of them haven’t been particularly successful. For every Baldur’s Gate 3, there have been several Magic: Legends. Until the quality enhances significantly, the volume won’t make a significant difference.

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2024-11-23 03:58