Magic: The Gathering was invented at a time when esports was not the huge industry that it is today. It is not difficult to see why the developers would want to turn this into more of an esports title, as this can be a huge revenue driver. Modern games like CS2 have become massive. Huge events often see millions of people tuning in, and while MTG has its own set of events, they are a little different from some of the esports examples. That is not to say that the game isn’t trying. There have been numerous attempts by the brand to try to become more of an esports option.
The Esports Landscape
Esports events can bring millions of dollars in revenue to the companies that organize them, and people are familiar with some of the huge tournaments played in Korea and elsewhere around the world – it is a global business. Some of the biggest esports events around the world are broadcast online or even on television so that people can tune in and watch. They have similar followings to traditional sports. Esports has traditionally been associated with high-action games like League of Legends where fast reflexes and strategy come together in visually dynamic environments. But as the esports universe grows, it’s making room for more variety, including games that are more strategic than action-based. MTG is slowly finding its place in the esports arena. But it is fair to say that there have been hiccups in the process.
Does MTG fit into this particular landscape? Magic: The Gathering is not the typical esport title. It doesn’t involve shooting any high-speed or real-time competition (well, not in its card game form anyway).
Instead, MTG is a trading card game that has thrived since the 1990s and was built around a unique combination of complex strategy and deep lore. With over 20,000 cards to date, MTG demands intense tactical thinking and can be compared to games like chess due to the immense tactical element. It also has a huge level of fantasy thrown in.
Players construct decks around various strategies and then use those decks to outsmart their opponents by casting spells or managing resources. It’s a mental battle more than anything and a single card or miscalculated play can change the entire outcome. Esports would be another option for the game and a way for it to expand, but this requires a digital version of the game. It is also fair to say that the game is going just fine in terms of revenue – it is a billion-dollar brand now.
A Failed Attempt at Digital Domination
MTG has definitely tried to become more of an esports brand. In 2019, MTG took a significant step into the esports scene when Wizards of the Coast announced the Magic Pro League (MPL). The MPL was designed as a competitive league for elite MTG players and brought with it substantial cash prizes and a schedule of regular tournaments. With events streamed on platforms like Twitch and YouTube the MPL attracted some viewership and pulled in fans who appreciated the gameplay style of MTG. The league was dropped in 2022 and this meant one less way that people could potentially play the game online.
There is a pro scene in MTG and professional play is something that a lot of people are involved in. But the scene is constantly changing. There is a lot of speculation about the future of the professional side of the game and what will happen as the game continues to grow.
Tournaments are slightly different when compared to things like Fortnite and CS2 – the most popular form of the game is still based on cards rather than the digital versions of the game. MTG video games have not excelled in the way a lot of people would expect. One of the challenges MTG faces is making the game watchable for audiences unfamiliar with its mechanics. The vast array of cards and abilities come along with complex rules and can feel overwhelming. A huge guide on how to play the game has been put in place by the makers and this certainly helps. But not everyone takes the time to learn it before watching.
Winning involves understanding lots of game mechanics and strategic concepts. MTG broadcasts often feature commentators who break down the action and guide viewers through the decision-making process. This commentary is essential for helping casual viewers appreciate the strategy at play. It isn’t like some games where we know exactly what the goal is by just watching a few seconds of play. MTG cards can totally change the mechanics of the game and the rules can vary between tournaments and competitive play.
Conclusion
This game can be classed as an esports title in some ways. The digital versions have also been introduced to try to make the game even more accessible to everybody and change the way people interact with the MTG lore and mechanics. These have had mixed success. The competitive scene is certainly going strong but it could grow even more if there is a way to introduce more spectators to MTG through big tournaments.
