{"id":14617,"date":"2016-11-15T15:05:10","date_gmt":"2016-11-15T20:05:10","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/digital.hbs.edu\/platform-rctom\/submission\/from-physical-to-digital-magic-the-gathering\/"},"modified":"2016-11-15T15:05:10","modified_gmt":"2016-11-15T20:05:10","slug":"from-physical-to-digital-magic-the-gathering","status":"publish","type":"hck-submission","link":"https:\/\/d3.harvard.edu\/platform-rctom\/submission\/from-physical-to-digital-magic-the-gathering\/","title":{"rendered":"From physical to digital \u2013 Magic: the Gathering"},"content":{"rendered":"
\"Physical
Physical cards<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

An overview<\/strong><\/p>\n

Magic: the Gathering (also known as Magic or MTG) is a collectible card game launched in physical form in 1993. It features fantastical monsters, mages and spells placing players in the position of powerful \u201cplaneswalkers\u201d. Players may summon these creatures and utilize powerful spells to do battle with one or more opponents \u2013 the last player alive declared the winner. Games often (d)evolve into highly technical primarily deterministic displays of logic and strategy, akin to that of chess \u2013 with significant experience holding a key advantage for those with many games under their belt [1]. Magic is a game dear to my heart – I\u2019ve been playing on and off for about 15 years. It helped me form my original group of close friends in grade school \u2013 the vast majority of which I\u2019m still close with to this day, as well as sparked my love for the space opera, logic, and games of all kinds.<\/p>\n

From paper to digital<\/strong><\/p>\n

Three main strategic initiatives have pushed Magic from the realm of the physical to that of digital and beyond: The introduction of Magic: the Gathering Online, the creation of numerous videogames, and the current undertaking of a magic the gathering film.<\/p>\n

In June 2002 Magic: the Gathering creator Wizards of the Coast, initially in conjunction with Leaping Lizard Software, launched Magic: the Gathering Online (also known as MTGO) [2]. This enabled players to collect cards online and play the game with those anywhere in the world (with access to a PC). By 2007, it is estimated that over 300,000 registered accounts existed for MTGO, with a Magic executive stating that \u201c[Magic Online] is worth somewhere between 30% to 50% of the total Magic business [3].\u201d<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

Additionally Magic has delved into the creation of myriad video games \u2013 which while drawing from Magic: the Gathering\u2019s rich history, diverse character set, and underlying game characteristics is significantly disparate from MTGO. Think about combinations of role playing games and key MTG scenarios. Games have been released since 1997 to varied reception \u2013 some receiving critical acclaim with many others under a plethora of criticism [4].<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

Finally, Magic creator Wizards of the Coast is currently undertaking the production of a fantastical Magic: the Gathering film sure to be inundated with special effects et al [5].<\/p>\n

An eye towards the future<\/strong><\/p>\n

Even with Magic\u2019s growing user base (20M+), expanding product set, and growing geographical presence, there are two main ways in which Wizards of the Coast may take further advantage of the digital medium in order to buttress their market position and benefit their consumers. They may increase resources in support of MTGO as well as augment their position in the online gaming community as a whole.<\/p>\n

I do not believe that adequate resources are currently spent on MTGO. The platform itself is no marvel and even today in 2016 still only functions on Windows while a significant subset of the player base operates on MAC and Linux. Moreover, the lackluster interface combined with the inability to play on all operating systems has led to the development of \u2018offshoots\u2019 such as Apprentice, Magic Workstation, and Cockatrice \u2013 most of which are unsupported by Wizards. By placing more emphasis on MTGO Wizards ought to be able to augment their platform beyond many of the imitators and completely control this market as they own the underlying resources and player relationships.<\/p>\n

Secondly Wizards must truly understand the opportunity that is presented by online magic. Beyond a growing proportion of their overall player base (i.e., online players to physical players), the world as a whole is shifting towards online media, with online gaming much of its backbone. The viewing of others playing online games \u2013 known as esports \u2013 is particularly large, with strategy games an especially high growth segment [6]. Games such as Hearthstone and League of Legends (the former an online card game) are among the most popular esports \u2013 and even Magic: the Gathering \u2013 without any intention or resources behind it \u2013 has become a popular spectator sport. Magic can capitalize upon this with esports and online viewership offering significant engagement and acquisition opportunities [7]. The number one way new players today are indoctrinated is through friends who play \u2013 whereas watching online may remove the friction associated with needing to \u2018learn as you go\u2019 and buying physical or electronic cards to get started.<\/p>\n

Conclusion<\/strong><\/p>\n

While Wizards of the Coast has realized that its player base desires online capabilities, it has been slow to move and has been riding on the coattails of the success of its physical game. By placing an emphasis upon online as the future of the business, they ought to be able to better run MTGO and catapult Magic to the position of a top spectator esport.<\/p>\n

(798 words)<\/strong><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

REFERENCES:<\/strong><\/p>\n

[1] Duffy, Owen. “How Magic: The Gathering Became a Pop-culture Hit \u2013 and Where It Goes next.”\u00a0The Guardian<\/em>. Guardian News and Media, 10 July 2015. Web. 14 Nov. 2016. <https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/technology\/2015\/jul\/10\/magic-the-gathering-pop-culture-hit-where-next?CMP=fb_gu>.<\/p>\n

[2] Villoria, Gerald. “Magic The Gathering Online.”\u00a0GameSpot<\/em>. N.p., 14 June 2002. Web. 14 Nov. 2016. <http:\/\/www.gamespot.com\/reviews\/magic-the-gathering-online\/1900-2873206\/>.<\/p>\n

[3] Villoria, Gerald. “State of the Game Interview: Magic Online.”\u00a0GameSpy<\/em>. N.p., 5 Sept. 2007. Web. 14 Nov. 2016. <http:\/\/www.gamespy.com\/articles\/818\/818114p1.html>.<\/p>\n

[4] “Magic Duels.”\u00a0MAGIC: THE GATHERING<\/em>. N.p., n.d. Web. 14 Nov. 2016. <http:\/\/magic.wizards.com\/en\/content\/magic-duels>.<\/p>\n

[5] Hopkins, Scott. “Fox’s Magic: The Gathering Movie Franchise Will Enable Hasbro To Sell Trading Cards For Years.”\u00a0Seeking Alpha<\/em>. N.p., 24 Oct. 2015. Web. 14 Nov. 2016. <http:\/\/seekingalpha.com\/article\/3600446-foxs-magic-gathering-movie-franchise-will-enable-hasbro-sell-trading-cards-years>.<\/p>\n

[6] Casselman, Ben. “Resistance Is Futile: ESports Is the Future.”\u00a0ESPN.com<\/em>. N.p., 22 May 2015. Web. 14 Nov. 2016. <http:\/\/www.espn.com\/espn\/story\/_\/id\/13059210\/esports-massive-industry-growing>.<\/p>\n

[7] “Magic: The Gathering Is the World’s Best Esport That’s Not an Esport.”\u00a0Dot Esports<\/em>. N.p., 18 Mar. 2015. Web. 14 Nov. 2016. <https:\/\/dotesports.com\/magic-the-gathering-is-the-worlds-best-esport-that-s-not-an-esport-e3532b5e0c36#.ex1wz5fs9>.<\/p>\n

[8] Image 1:\u00a0Digital image. N.p., n.d. Web. 15 Nov. 2016. <https:\/\/www.pinterest.com\/karenebona\/magic-the-gathering-party\/>.<\/p>\n

[9] Image 2:\u00a0Digital image. N.p., n.d. Web. 15 Nov. 2016. <http:\/\/thefriendlynecromancer.blogspot.com\/2011\/07\/magic-gathering-vs-wizard101.html>.<\/p>\n

[10] Image 3:\u00a0Digital image. N.p., n.d. Web. 15 Nov. 2016. <https:\/\/magic-the-gathering-online.en.softonic.com\/>.<\/p>\n

[11] Image 4:\u00a0Digital image. N.p., n.d. Web. 15 Nov. 2016. <https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=OBmygkglq8M>.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

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