Image Credit: Wizards of the Coast & Square Enix

As of the Final Fantasy set's June 13th release, Wizards Play Network, the entity responsible for maintaining and managing organized Magic: The Gathering play, will introduce "Chocobo Racing" to the events for the set. This augmentation to Limited events will begin after the set officially releases and will last until July 24th.

But First: What Are Chocobos?

In the scope of the hit Square Enix video game series, Chocobos are fluffy (usually) yellow bipedal birds. People in the game's universe usually use Chocobos as mounts. They're generally a means to get places much faster than on foot. Occasionally, riders will race with their Chocobo steeds. Final Fantasy VII formally introduced the "Chocobo Racing" minigame proper. However, since then it's blown up in a big way. The minigame has even had its own eponymous spin-off game on the Sony PlayStation.

They're also generally viewed as the mascot/face of the series at large, much like the Slime is to Dragon Quest, or Pikachu is to Pokémon.

Final Fantasy Chocobo Racing In Magic

According to the Wizards Play Network's page on this event:

Chocobo Racing Events are the weekly Booster Draft and Sealed event based on the FINAL FANTASY VII mini-game "Chocobo Racing". Whenever players play Draft or Sealed events with Magic: The Gathering—FINAL FANTASY in your store, earning points to reach special rewards just for this event.

The site goes on to explain how this minigame works:

As players enjoy racing around the track throughout the season, they'll earn a set number of points that build toward rewards.

Award points for the following:

• Players earn 3 points for each Draft of Sealed event (excluding Prerelease) they attend.
• Players earn 1 point for each match they win in a qualifying event.
• Existing players that bring in a new player who signs up for a Wizards Account and participates in a qualifying event earn 1 point.

When a player reaches 10 cumulative points, they earn a foil Chocobo art print. When a player reaches 20 cumulative points, they earn a Chocobo Pinfinity AR pin!

At the very end of the event, store owners are encouraged to give out any unallocated prints or pins to players who didn't make it to 10 or 20 points. WPN suggests stores give them out in order of highest standings at the end of the event's run.

Run, Chocobo, Run!

This mini-game series runs from June 13th through July 24th at local game stores while supplies last.

And now, let's hear from you. Are you a fan of Chocobos as the mascot of Final Fantasy? Is this set an appealing prospect for you to play within? If you're planning to enter these events and vie for a print or pin, sound off below!