Wizards of the Coast is clearly pushing the boundaries of Magic: The Gathering more in recent years, adding new mechanics, themes, and other elements to the popular trading card game that we’ve never seen before. Now, Magic head designer Mark Rosewater has teased the direction of where they’re planning to take for MTG, also asking fans if they want to see certain sci-fi elements in the game.
“We’re definitely pushing boundaries more than we have in the past,” Rosewater said on his recent Blogatog post. So, would you like a cyberpunk and/or a space set?”
Are we getting a cyberpunk-themed Magic set?
Although Wizards hasn’t officially confirmed a cyberpunk-themed Magic set yet, rumors about a set called Kamigawa: Neon Dynasty have been floating around, teasing the return to the Japanese mythology-inspired plane. Last month, a leak suggests that Magic will revisit Kamigawa and Dominaria next year, but Wizards hasn’t confirmed any of these details. However, the company announced a major announcement that will reveal their plans for Magic next year, so it’s likely that we will find out the names of the 2022 sets, and if the rumor about Kamigawa: Neon Dynasty is true.
How is Magic pushing its boundaries in the near future?
We already know that Wizards is trying to break the boundaries of Magic by featuring elements outside of traditional fantasy themes. Just a few years ago, the company released a couple of sets (Kaladesh and Aether Revolt) that feature a steampunk plane known as Kaladesh.
Wizards has also been publishing more Secret Lair drops that feature unique art styles that you don’t typically see in a traditional Magic. Just last year, Wizards released a controversial crossover Secret Lair featuring characters from AMC’s The Walking Dead, but it doesn’t stop there. Just recently, Wizards released the first crossover set with their other fantasy franchise, Dungeons & Dragons, called Adventures in the Forgotten Realms.
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Wizards also revealed their plans for Universes Beyond, a series that fuses the gameplay of Magic: The Gathering with worlds, characters, and stories that are cherished by millions of people around the world. There will be crossover products featuring J.R.R. Tolkien’s The Lord of the Rings and the popular miniature wargame, Warhammer 40,000.
It’s just a matter of time before we find out how WotC is breaking the boundaries of Magic, and while some fans are excited to see these changes in the upcoming products, others are more critical about the company’s decision to feature never-before-seen elements or IPs in the best trading card game in the world.
