<p style="text-align: right;"><em><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="TARDIS" href="#" target="_blank">TARDIS</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> | Art by <a href="https://store.chrisostrowskiart.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Chris Ostrowski</a></em></p>
<p>It's no secret to <em>Magic</em> players that Universes Beyond has become a huge part of our game. From Standard sets to Secret Lairs, outside IPs have become an ever growing part of <em>Magic</em>. This has certainly brought new players to the game, but has it actually made the game better?</p>
<p>First, though, some history. Outside IPs in <em>Magic</em> began back in 2020, with the introduction of a <em>Walking Dead</em> Secret Lair with mechanically unique cards. Some of these cards, like <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Rick, Steadfast Leader" href="#" target="_blank">Rick, Steadfast Leader</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, went on to become powerful roleplayers in EDH decks.</p>
<p>This was the beginning of a much-derided pattern, though, and players were immediately critical of the exclusivity of these cards. They were, justifiably, frustrated that they couldn't get these interesting and unique cards without paying exorbitantly high prices.</p>
<p>But, the drop sold extremely well, and the Universes Beyond experiment continued.</p>
<h2>Universes Beyond - The Good</h2>
<p>Starting with <em>The Walking Dead</em>, Universes Beyond has long been a tool to bring new players into the game. While we don't have official player numbers from <em>Wizards of the Coast</em>, we can look to UB sales as a guideline. Magic's crossover with <em>Lord of the Rings</em> was wildly successful, leading to tons of news coverage and hype about the 1-of-1 <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="The One Ring" href="#" target="_blank">The One Ring</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, and $200,000,000 in sales over six months.</p>
<p>This crossover was widely considered a success from a flavor and a financial perspective, setting my personal standard for what a UB set can and should be. <a href="https://www.polygon.com/mtg-magic-the-gathering/617076/mtg-final-fantasy-set-200-million-record-lord-of-the-rings/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Chris Cocks, the CEO of <em>Hasbro</em></a> (the company that owns <em>Wizards of the Coast</em>), even said that this was about double the amount that their other "high-performing sets" had brought in. <em>Lord of the Rings</em> was, by all measures, a good UB set.</p>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="The One Ring|LTR|0"></div></div>
<p>Then, after a few more external IP-focused sets, <em>Wizards</em> made yet another highly successful crossover with an outside property, and its sales blew <em>Lord of the Rings</em>' out of the water. <em>Final Fantasy</em>, a collaboration with the famous video game franchise, netted $200,000,000 in sales in <em>just one day</em>. That is, frankly, unbelievable. It shows not only the growth of <em>Magic</em> as a whole, but how good UB sets can be for the financial health of our game.</p>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Cloud, Midgar Mercenary"></div></div>
<p>But, Universes Beyond sets aren't just good because they bring new players (and their cash) to MTG. They're also a fun way for new mechanics to make their way into the card pool. Rad counters from <em>Fallout</em>, freerunning from <em>Assassin's Creed</em>, and Summon creatures from <em>Final Fantasy</em> are all interesting, flavorful mechanics that likely wouldn't exist on <em>Magic</em> cardstock were it not for these crossover products.</p>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="The Wise Mothman"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Ezio Auditore da Firenze"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Summon: Bahamut"></div></div>
<h2>Universes Beyond - The Bad</h2>
<p>But sales and new card designs aren't everything for <em>Magic</em> players. What about the price tag of Universes Beyond sets? What about the strength of these external-IP based cards? What about the loss of what makes <em>Magic... </em>magic?</p>
<p>First, let's talk about the rising price associated with UB sets and individual UB cards. The price of booster packs has risen pretty dramatically recently, with a <em>Final Fantasy</em> Play Booster costing $9.81 and a <em>Final Fantasy</em> Collector Booster costing a whopping $122.17. That's already extremely high compared to a normal Standard set.</p>
<p>But, we've got MSRPs back now so we can see that these packs are meant to cost $6.99 and $37.99, respectively. That's just the "recommended" price, though. For many <em>Magic: The Gathering</em> players, these cards are only available at exorbitant markups.</p>
<p>With our most recent UB set, things are really getting out of hand. A Collector Booster Box of <em>Spider-Man</em> is currently selling for about $575, which is absurdly high. But, that's down about 20% from its high of $975.51 just a few weeks ago! How is anyone meant to buy packs at these prices? That's how much rent and utilities cost in my college town; I can't pay that amount for some cards.</p>
<p>But maybe I could build a fort out of all the draft chaff I pull from the packs...</p>
<p>Defenders of Universes Beyond often say that if the product isn't for you, just don't buy it! In theory, this makes sense. <em>Magic</em> players don't have to interact with every product that <em>Wizards of the Coast</em> releases, and they certainly don't have to support UB sets that they don't enjoy. But when cards that are included in these sets are powerful beyond belief, it becomes almost impossible to simply ignore their existence.</p>
<p>If you were a Standard player that really disliked the recent <em>Final Fantasy</em> cards, but still wanted to build a competitive deck in the format, you'd find it quite difficult to simply ignore <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Vivi Ornitier" href="#" target="_blank">Vivi Ornitier</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>'s existence. If you were a casual Commander player with a hatred for <em>Warhammer</em> trying to put together an X-spell deck, cards like <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Nexos" href="#" target="_blank">Nexos</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> would be tempting. And, if you were a cEDH player trying to take on your local tournament, it would be almost impossible to build a deck without <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Orcish Bowmasters" href="#" target="_blank">Orcish Bowmasters</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>.</p>
<p>Universes Beyond cards are often too good to ignore, in a wide variety of formats and strategies, meaning that this argument has fallen flat.</p>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Vivi Ornitier"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Nexos"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Orcish Bowmasters"></div></div>
<p>Finally, the point that bothers me about Universes Beyond the most: It's taking the space of other, in-universe designs. I fell in love with this game because of the card designs. I loved the worlds of <em>Theros</em> and <em>Tarkir</em>, and was intrigued by the different colleges of <em>Strixhaven</em> and the creatures of <em>Lorwyn</em>.</p>
<p>We were even scheduled to return to <em>Lorwyn</em> this year, going back to a twee plane with adorable tribes and its sinister counterpart, but our trip back to this world, where we haven't been in nearly 20 years, was pushed to 2026 to make room for <em>Avatar: The Last Airbender</em>. Don't get me wrong; I like <em>Avatar</em>. I grew up watching the show, and have enjoyed some of the cards that we've seen previewed so far. But it's a story I've heard before.</p>
<p>I love the designs that <em>Wizards</em>' employees make, I love the worlds they craft, and I love the original characters they've created. Like many <em>Magic</em> players, I see the value in in-universe sets and don't want it to fade into the background just for the sake of sales.</p>
<h2>Have We Jumped the Shark?</h2>
<p>Now that we've got a sense of both sides of the argument, let's talk about where we are now. For years, players joked that we'd be getting <em>SpongeBob</em> cards next. Well... they were right. We got reskins of 11 popular cards as SpongeBob characters in a Secret Lair drop, and it just felt like another day as a <em>Magic</em> player. We even got mechanically-unique <em>Sonic the Hedgehog</em> cards, some of which are really strong!</p>
<p>Sadly, I think <em>Universes Beyond</em> has passed the point of ridiculousness. We're inundated with external IPs in our TCG, getting an even number of UB and in-universe sets for at least the foreseeable future. We have jumped the shark, and I think it happened the moment this year's set release schedule was modified to allow <em>Avatar</em> to replace <em>Llorwyn</em>. That, to me, felt like a turning point.</p>
<p>But we've got to ask: Is this a bad thing? On balance, is Universes Beyond doing more good or more bad for <em>Magic</em>. As much as it pains me to admit it, I think we're better off having Universes Beyond as a part of our game.</p>
<p><em>Magic</em> is, quite possibly, the most complicated game on the planet. There's nearly 30,000 unique game pieces, hundreds of mechanics, and tons of decisions to be made over the course of any given match. Providing more players with an on-ramp to our complex system is always a good thing, and I firmly believe that our community is richer for having welcomed in <em>Doctor Who</em> nerds and <em>Jurassic Park</em> nerds alike.</p>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Sonic the Hedgehog"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Deadpool, Trading Card"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Jodah, the Unifier|sld|1932"></div></div>
<p>And, for established players like me who don't love many of the IPs being introduced to our game, it's still fun for me to get my hands on some new cards once in a while.</p>
<p>Is it worth the crazy high prices attached to Universes Beyond cards? Is it worth being forced to engage with Universes Beyond sets, even if you don't like them? Is it worth the degradation of <em>Magic</em>'s soul? I say yes, but barely.</p>
<p>I want <em>Wizards</em> to take steps to address UB pack prices, and I want them to stop pushing incredibly powerful cards in those sets. I feel strongly that there are meaningful steps they can take on those fronts. I'd also like to see a different balance of UB and in-universe sets per year - maybe a 2-4 split instead of an even 3-3 split. I know that's asking for a lot, but I also know that <em>Magic</em>'s players are hungry for these changes.</p>
<p>That's all my thoughts on Universes Beyond, but I'd love to hear yours in the comments down below. Have we jumped the shark? Is the growth of UB in <em>Magic</em> worth all of the associated difficulty? Let me know what you think, and I'll see you all soon for another article.</p>
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Has Universes Beyond "Jumped the Shark"?

<p style="text-align: right;"><em><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Heirloom Epic" href="#" target="_blank">Heirloom Epic</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> | Illustrated by <a href="https://lunaurum.art/">Fiona Hsieh</a></em></p>
<p>For better or for worse, <em>Universes Beyond</em> is fully integrated with <em>Magic: The Gathering </em>now. The game can now be used to model a fight between <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Jodah, the Unifier|SLD|1932" href="#" target="_blank">Spongebob Squarepants</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> and <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Sonic the Hedgehog" href="#" target="_blank">Sonic the Hedgehog</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> (apparently, Spongebob trounces Sonic; who knew?). The <em>Magic</em> multiverse now contains multitudes.</p>
<p>You may have already read<a href="https://edhrec.com/articles/author/cooper-gottfried"> Cooper Gottfried's</a> piece regarding <a href="https://edhrec.com/articles/which-video-games-would-make-great-universes-beyond-sets">5 video games that would make great Universes Beyond sets</a>. If not, you should definitely check it out. It wouldn't be surprising to see any of the characters in the games that Cooper discusses making their way over to Local Game Stores wrapped up in slick booster sleeves.</p>
<p>Video games are great, but then so are books. In this article, we'll look at five fantasy book series that would make for great <em>MTG</em> crossovers. Why fantasy? Well, fantasy is the genre that's most compatible with <em>Magic</em>.</p>
<p>There are also plenty of sci-fi stories that could comfortably be adapted, but past that point, things get quite murky. <em>The Great Gatsby</em> is a fantastic work of fiction, but I'm not really sure what a Nick Carraway card would look like. A series of Commander decks based on Jane Austen novels would be wonderfully weird, but doesn't seem terribly likely.</p>
<p>Just like in the initial article, we're looking for works that feature plenty of iconic characters to make into legendaries for players to brew around. We also want series that can be translated into <em>Magic</em>'s mechanics and its color pie easily.</p>
<p>The list below is far from exhaustive, and also isn't a top five. Any of these series would work just as well as the next if adapted into the game. Let's begin...</p>
<h3>5. A Song of Ice and Fire/Game of Thrones</h3>
<p><em>A Song of Ice and Fire</em>, or <em>Game of Thrones</em> to use the name of its televised adaptation, is one of the most recognizable fantasy franchises of all time, second only to <em>The Lord of the Rings</em>, which<a href="https://edhrec.com/sets/ltr"> <em>Magic</em> has already adapted</a>. <em>Game of Thrones</em> was an international sensation and was completely inescapable from 2011 until its ignoble end in 2019. The franchise remains relevant though with its spin off <em>House of the Dragon</em> currently airing and a variety of other stories set in the same universe in development.</p>
<p>While it's very popular, several things make adapting <em>A Song of Ice and Fire</em> difficult. It's more adult than <em>Magic</em> typically is. While <em>Magic</em> is no stranger to dark themes (<span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Brisela, Voice of Nightmares" href="#" target="_blank">some of the cards on Innistrad</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Sensory Deprivation" href="#" target="_blank">are downright nightmarish</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>), the game has never been quite as graphic as George R.R Martin's sordid imagination.</p>
<p>Additionally, the series is currently incomplete, and fans have been waiting for <em>The Winds of Winter</em> for more than 14 years now.</p>
<p>Nevertheless, it's by far the most famous series in this article, and there is plenty of material to adapt into a TCG. In fact, there has already been a <a href="https://www.fantasyflightgames.com/en/products/a-game-of-thrones-the-card-game-second-edition/"><em>Game of Thrones</em> card game</a>.</p>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Agent of the Iron Throne"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Iron Verdict"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Strategic Betrayal"></div></div>
<p>The politicking and backstabbing that characterizes life in Westeros would translate comfortably into a set of commander decks. Since the characters come presorted into noble houses, deciding on who to group together for Commander decks is incredibly easy.</p>
<p>All of the plotting to seize the throne ensures that we'd definitely be seeing the monarch mechanic return. Sacrifice mechanics, like exploit, could also convey the ruthless nature of the setting. Not to mention that there are Dragons, ice Zombies, and fire worshiping priests to keep the set feeling magical.</p>
<h3>4. <em>Discworld</em></h3>
<p>Where Westeros is stark, austere, and cold, Terry Pratchett's <em>Discworld</em> is warm, vibrant, and colorful. This comical British fantasy series is beloved by fans for the heartwarming verve and humanity that effortlessly flows through Pratchett's writing.</p>
<p>With just over 40 <em>Discworld</em> books in total, there is a huge amount to adapt. Not only that, but the books are all centered around different factions, from the Ankh-Morpork City Watch, to the arguing academics of the Unseen University, to the series' surprisingly amicable depiction of the Grim Reaper and his associates. This means there is no shortage of legendary characters to include, and there are convenient ways of splitting them into factions for the purposes of EDH Precons or Limited.</p>
<p>Not only that, but <em>Discworld</em> is, as its name would imply, a living, breathing world (suspended atop the back of a colossal space turtle). This means that there will be plenty of iconic locations to adapt into lands, from the bustling, crime-ridden streets of Ankh-Morpork, to the zealous theocracy of Omnia, to the jungles of Klatch.</p>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Midnight Reaper"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Archmage Emeritus"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Reality Scramble"></div></div>
<p>In terms of mechanics, it would make sense to emphasize the wacky nature of the series through effects like the newly introduced mayhem mechanic from <a href="https://edhrec.com/sets/spe">Spider-Man</a>. Mechanics could also be used to define the gameplay of the different factions. The City Watch could investigate and use Clue tokens to solve crimes. Meanwhile, the wizards of the Unseen University could bring back lesson and learn from <a href="https://edhrec.com/sets/stx"><em>Strixhaven</em></a>.</p>
<h3>3. <em>Redwall</em></h3>
<p>The <em>Redwall</em> books are a fantasy series about animal folk going on adventures, battling it out in wars, and cooking yummy feasts. Although these books are targeted at children, many adults remember the series fondly, or are cracking the books out again to read to their own kids. Given that 2024's <a href="https://edhrec.com/sets/blb"><em>Bloomburrow</em></a> bears a lot of aesthetic similarities to <em>Redwall</em>, many <em>MTG</em> players assumed that a crossover would be on the cards and were surprised when this wasn't the case.</p>
<p>Much like <a href="https://edhrec.com/sets/fin"><em>Final Fantasy</em></a>, many of the <em>Redwall</em> stories are self-contained. There are 22 <em>Redwall</em> books, and they can be read in any order, with a few exceptions, as some of the books serve as direct sequels. Additionally, characters from older stories often pass into legend, with their actions inspiring future generations. Many of the books are set in the titular Redwall Abbey, which gets attacked innumerable times by a variety of malign mammals.</p>
<p>With the series taking place over several generations, the cast is as colossal as it is cuddly, so there will be no shortage of characters to adapt into legendary creatures.</p>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Thistledown Players"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Brightcap Badger"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Brave-Kin Duo"></div></div>
<p>The most logical way to integrate <em>Redwall</em> with <em>Magic</em> either be to give it its own Secret Lair, or to include <em>Redwall</em> characters as bonus cards, just as Transformers were included in <em>The Brothers' War</em> booster. These cards could be mechanically unique depictions of the book's cast, or reskins of pre-existing <em>MTG</em> legends.</p>
<h3>2. <em>The Witcher</em></h3>
<p><em>The Witcher</em> is best known now thanks to its wildly successful video game adaptations and its Netflix series. Initially, though, it existed as several short stories that were published in the Polish speculative fiction magazine <em>Fantastyka</em>. These stories later evolved into full-length novels, and those novels are still being published today. The most recent <em>Witcher</em> book, <em>Crossroad of Ravens</em>, is due to be released internationally next month.</p>
<p>Witchers are magically enhanced monster slayers. They roam the land, striking down beasts in exchange for coin, inspiring bards, and wooing more maidens than they probably should along the way. Like <em>A Song of Ice and Fire</em>, <em>The Witcher</em> is a fair bit grittier than <em>Magic</em>. Still, I suspect that just about every <em>Magic </em>player out there has played at least a few hours of <em>The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt</em>, so this crossover makes sense.</p>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Fiend Hunter"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Ox of Agonas"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Inspiring Bard"></div></div>
<p>What might a <em>Witcher</em> set look like? The monster-hunting nature of the series could be executed either by using double-faced cards to demonstrate the cunning disguises that the monstrous prey of Witchers often conceal their true forms behind. Alternatively, the monstrosity mechanic from Theros could serve a similar purpose, having the monsters gain +1/+1 counters as they bear their fangs and attack.</p>
<p>As for the Witchers themselves, they're known for their supernaturally fast reflexes, their monster-slaying, and their silvered arsenals of tools and trinkets. Their reflexes could be demonstrated by granting them abilities typically used to demonstrate speed, like flash, haste, and first strike. Their monster slaying nature might grant them a bonus when they go into combat against non-human creatures. Finally, their gear could be demonstrated by giving them artifact synergies.</p>
<p>Could <em>Magic</em> players be convinced to toss a coin for some <em>Witcher</em> cards? It certainly seems possible.</p>
<h3>1. <em>Mistborn</em></h3>
<p>Brandon Sanderson is a prolific fantasy writer and a known <em>Magic: The Gathering</em> fan; <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U3dbficwd3w&amp;ab_channel=TheCommandZone">he was even on an episode of Game Knights</a>. Sanderson finished the <em>Wheel of Time</em> series, and also authored other books like <em>The Stormlight Archives</em>, <em>Elantris</em>, and <em>Warbreaker</em>. It would have been possible to fill this entire list with Sanderson stories.</p>
<p><em>The Mistborn</em> books, while not his first works, were the series that made him a household name (at least in households that have an abiding love for fantasy literature). Without delving too deeply into spoilers, the <em>Mistborn</em> books begin as a dystopian hellscape. Ash and soot blanket the skies, mist cloaks the world, grass grows only in a sickly shade of brown, while flowers fail to bloom. The world is ruled over by a sinister, seemingly immortal being known as the Lord Ruler. Far from a happy world, but a world bursting with potential to be adapted into a <em>Magic</em> set.</p>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Flick a Coin"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Watcher in the Mist"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Whispersilk Cloak"></div></div>
<p><em>Mistborn</em>'s magic system makes it distinct. Mages in <em>Mistborn</em> are known as "Allomancers". They ingest metals and then "flare" them to fuel their spells. This would be challenging to adapt into a <em>Magic</em>, with more than 10 metals to "flare" each of which provides different powers. It wouldn't be impossible, though. <em>Mistborn</em> has already been adapted into a <a href="https://boardgamegeek.com/boardgame/422780/mistborn-the-deckbuilding-game">deckbuilding game</a> and a <a href="https://boardgamegeek.com/boardgame/182626/mistborn-house-war">strategic war game</a>. If other games have been able to adapt <em>Mistborn</em>'s complex alloy-based arcana, then <em>Magic </em>can definitely unearth something inspiring.</p>
<h3>Conclusion</h3>
<p>So there are five fantasy book series that could be adapted reasonably seamlessly into <em>Magic: The Gathering</em>. I'm sure that you have some alternative options rattling around in your mind. Perhaps you'd rather see <em>The Wheel of Time</em> than <em>Mistborn</em>? Maybe you're a major <em>Earthsea</em> stan? Perhaps you love all of these properties dearly, but just want to keep them away from <em>MTG</em>. Feel free to share your views down in the comments.<em> </em></p>


5 Fantasy Book Series That Would Make Great Universes Beyond Sets

<p style="text-align: right;"><em>Image courtesy of Bandai Namco</em></p>
<p>With the massive success of Universes Beyond for <em>Magic</em>, I've been left wondering about which iconic franchises might see their iconic characters in our card game next.</p>
<p>IPs like <em>Stranger Things</em>, <em>Doctor Who</em>, and <em>Lord of the Rings</em> have drawn new players to the game, and proved to be successful crossovers for <em>Wizards of the Coast</em>. But, as sales data comes in, it's become clear that the recent <em>Final Fantasy</em> crossover set was the most popular by far. It delivered <a href="https://articles.starcitygames.com/magic-the-gathering/magic-grows-23-percent-behind-magic-the-gathering-final-fantasy/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">$200,000,000 of revenue in just one day</a>, and was at least partially responsible for a <a href="https://articles.starcitygames.com/magic-the-gathering/magic-grows-23-percent-behind-magic-the-gathering-final-fantasy/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">23% growth in WotC's revenue</a>.</p>
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<p>Now that the power of video game franchises in Universes Beyond is apparent, I'd like to talk about what other video game franchises could make a big impact with all sorts of <em>Magic</em> players. Let's see which IPs could make their way into our favorite card game!</p>
<h2>What Makes a Good Universes Beyond Set?</h2>
<p>Before we talk about specific franchises, though, we've got to define our terms. There's thousands of video games that <em>could</em> work as a Universes Beyond product, but not all of them would work as well as their fans might want.</p>
<h3>Unique, Recognizable Characters</h3>
<p>The most important part of a successful Universes Beyond product is the characters that lead the original IP. That's why Marvel's getting so many different Universes Beyond sets over the next few years: its characters' popularity! There are tons of iconic heroes and villains that have a special place in the heart of so many fans.</p>
<p>That's also a large part of why <em>Final Fantasy</em> was so successful: characters like Cloud and Sephiroth are known even to those who've never played a <em>Final Fantasy</em> game. That's also why characters like Sam, Frodo, and Sauron are among the most popular commanders from <em>Lord of the Rings</em>: name recognition matters.</p>
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<p>Recognizable characters, places, and weapons draw in new and veteran players alike, and are key to the success of any outside IP's integration in <em>Magic</em>.</p>
<h3>Mechanics That Translate Well to <em>Magic</em></h3>
<p><em>Magic</em>'s designers are smart, and seem to be able to take ideas from other franchises and translate them to their game quite well. But, these abilities do have their limits.</p>
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<p>It'd be difficult, for example, for the gameplay of a game like ULTRAKILL to be moved to <em>Magic</em>'s kid-friendly design. It'd also be quite difficult for something like <i>Cooking Mama</i> or <em>Nintendogs</em> to come to <em>Magic</em>, as silly as that sounds.</p>
<p>There's got to be a certain amount of excitement in the original video game that could be captured on <em>Magic</em> cards.</p>
<h3>Ability to Hit All Five Colors</h3>
<p>It's important that our franchises can span the color pie, too. They don't need to have their cards distributed across all five colors equally, but they should have at least a few cards in each color.</p>
<p>In the recent <em>Assassin's</em><em> Creed</em> set, for example, there were <a href="https://scryfall.com/search?as=grid&amp;order=set&amp;page=2&amp;q=set%3Aacr+is%3Afirstprint+sort%3Acolor&amp;unique=cards" target="_blank" rel="noopener">just nine green (<span class="mana-container-container"><span class="mana-container"><i class="ms ms-cost ms-g" style="margin-left: inherit !important;"></i></span></span>) cards out of the set's 105 original designs</a>. But, the set still worked! I imagine something similar will happen in the upcoming <em>Avatar: The Last Airbender</em> set, where black (<span class="mana-container-container"><span class="mana-container"><i class="ms ms-cost ms-b" style="margin-left: inherit !important;"></i></span></span>) cards will likely be more scarce than other colors.</p>
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<p>The best Universes Beyond sets have cards balanced across all five colors, and <em>Magic</em>'s designers seem reluctant to entirely abandon any given color for a set.</p>
<h2>Which Video Game Franchises Might Be Next for UB?</h2>
<h3><em>Dark Souls</em></h3>
<p>One of the most iconic video game series of all time, <em>Dark Souls</em> has a special place in the heart of so many gamers. Players fight their way through Lordran, confronting all sorts of supernatural entities as they go. These games' stories also have repeated references to gods, fire, and fantastical entities that would easily make the jump to <em>Magic</em>.</p>
<p>The series' villains are also iconic, and could each easily be represented in our card game. Players of the series have endless debates about which boss fights were the most epic, and each of those fights could find its way onto cardstock. Even for players outside of the game's fanbase, seeing the beautifully designed bosses on <em>Magic</em> cards would certainly cause interest in the set.</p>
<p><em>Dark Souls</em>' gameplay would lend itself quite well to <em>Magic</em> cards. We saw specific weapons and gameplay elements from another popular series, <em>Assassin's Creed</em>, translated to Equipment and sorceries easily. Mechanics like rolling and weapons like the Moon Light Greatsword from <em>Dark Souls</em> should translate equally well.</p>
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<p>From stunning vistas that could be represented on lands to death-defying bosses that could easily make their way to black cards, <em>Dark Souls</em> has a huge diversity of characters, places, and weapons that could span all five of <em>Magic</em>'s colors.</p>
<p>I could even see the return of the level-up mechanic to represent the player's progression through <em>Dark Souls</em> levelling system!</p>
<h3><em>Super Mario</em></h3>
<p>As one of the best selling video game franchises of all time, <em>Super</em> <em>Mario</em> would certainly make a popular Universes Beyond set. For many people, a <i>Mario</i> game was their first video game. From <em>Mario Kart</em> to <em>Super Mario 64</em>, this series spans genres and generations.</p>
<p>It's also got iconic characters and locations that players would be excited to see on cards. From Mario and Luigi, Princess Peach's Castle and Bowser's Castle, this series is absolutely packed with name recognition.</p>
<p>Plus, because the series has been around for so long, it's developed a lot of mechanics that could be represented on cards. From Luigi's <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Ghost Vacuum" href="#" target="_blank">Ghost Vacuum</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> to Mario's <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Fireball" href="#" target="_blank">Fireball</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, there's ample opportunity for reskins of old cards and new designs alike. This longevity and breadth of available game mechanics also means that <em>Magic</em>'s designers would have enough material to span the color pie.</p>
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<p>As for returning mechanics that could work well with this franchise, <em>Duskmourn</em>'s Rooms would represent Peach's Castle from <em>Mario 64</em> really nicely! It seems like a natural fit, and would save mental effort for veteran players who'd like to pick up these cards.</p>
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<h3><em>Destiny</em></h3>
<p>This is more of a personal pick, but I truly believe that <em>Destiny</em> would make a fantastic Universes Beyond set. There’s over a decade of lore built into the franchise’s two releases, tons of iconic characters, and a whole suite of weapons that <em>Magic</em> players would be eager to see in a card frame.</p>
<p>Although he’s <em>technically</em> dead in the game’s story, Cayde-6 is one of gaming’s most iconic rogues. He’s witty, quick with a joke, and even quicker with a trigger.</p>
<p>Other characters, like the iconic Witness, the authoritative Zavala, and the cunning Savathun would also make for compelling legendary creatures. Even for players outside of the franchise’s reach, these NPCs have strong enough storylines attached to them that could for make interesting card designs.</p>
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<p><em>Destiny</em> is a “looter-shooter,” meaning that there’s tons of weapons and armor pieces that could find themselves portrayed as Equipment in <em>Magic</em>.</p>
<p><em>Destiny</em>’s magic system would also lend itself quite well to <em>Magic</em>’s color pie. There’s five elements in the game that could easily correspond to each of <em>Magic</em>’s five colors (Arc as <span class="mana-container-container"><span class="mana-container"><i class="ms ms-cost ms-w" style="margin-left: inherit !important;"></i></span></span>, Stasis as <span class="mana-container-container"><span class="mana-container"><i class="ms ms-cost ms-u" style="margin-left: inherit !important;"></i></span></span>, Void as <span class="mana-container-container"><span class="mana-container"><i class="ms ms-cost ms-b" style="margin-left: inherit !important;"></i></span></span>, Solar as <span class="mana-container-container"><span class="mana-container"><i class="ms ms-cost ms-r" style="margin-left: inherit !important;"></i></span></span>, and Strand as <span class="mana-container-container"><span class="mana-container"><i class="ms ms-cost ms-g" style="margin-left: inherit !important;"></i></span></span>).</p>
<p>And the various abilities that the player picks up over the course of the game could easily translate to unique instants, sorceries, and even enchantments!</p>
<h3><em>Minecraft</em></h3>
<p>Far and away the most popular video game of all time, <em>Minecraft</em> has certainly got brand recognition. And while it doesn't have the same fantasy feel as other games on this list, <em>Magic</em>'s designers have shown a willingness to branch out into other genres for Universes Beyond sets. Even if this game doesn't get a full Universes Beyond set, I could absolutely see it making its way into a Secret Lair drop of a few cards.</p>
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<p>While there aren't a ton of characters iconic to <em>Minecraft</em>, the sandbox nature of the game could lend itself well to a set focused on modal cards. Do you want to delve deeper into the abandoned mineshaft, or head back to your base with the loot you've got so far? Do you want to summon the Wither or build a mob farm to grow stronger first? Would you rather use your diamonds to make a pickaxe, or save them up to craft a set of armor down the line?</p>
<p>Modal spells are one of the coolest ways that <em>Magic</em> designers can give agency to players in game, which is of course central to <em>Minecraft</em>.</p>
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<p>And, although the set would likely be focused around green, there's room for every part of the color pie to be explored. <span class="mana-container-container"><span class="mana-container"><i class="ms ms-cost ms-b" style="margin-left: inherit !important;"></i></span></span> and <span class="mana-container-container"><span class="mana-container"><i class="ms ms-cost ms-r" style="margin-left: inherit !important;"></i></span></span> could be represented in the foreboding Nether, <span class="mana-container-container"><span class="mana-container"><i class="ms ms-cost ms-u" style="margin-left: inherit !important;"></i></span></span> could be shown off in <em>Minecraft</em>'s vast oceans, and <span class="mana-container-container"><span class="mana-container"><i class="ms ms-cost ms-w" style="margin-left: inherit !important;"></i></span></span> could be part of The End (or in the Aether, if <em>Magic</em>'s designers choose to go that direction).</p>
<p>Point is, there's significant space for creativity in a set designed around the world's best selling game.</p>
<h2>Conclusion</h2>
<p>So, those are some of my top picks for video games that could become Universes Beyond products. But, there’s tons of brands that would make for great collaborations with <em>Magic</em>. I’d love to know what franchises I missed, so let me know your ideas in the comments below!</p>
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