Wizards of the Coast is testing a video game version of its program Magic: the meeting Commander format, according to a Bloomberg interview with Hasbro CEO Chris Cocks earlier this week. This announcement is a continuation of the company’s latest push-to-digital strategy, which Cocks told Bloomberg is an effort to “reach fans where they want to play.”
The game will stand out from the Magic Arena mobile app, which allows users to play the traditional two-player game MtG format. The new Commander game will accommodate more than two players, while attempting to make the digital versions of the trading card game more collectible. This includes collaborations to make more Magic cards featuring characters from other intellectual properties such as Lord of the rings, Assassin’s Creed, And Miracle.
Hasbro has faced some significant issues over the past two years. This includes selling its eOne film and TV business, canceling other video game projects and laying off about 1,900 employees by 2023 – with about 100 more planned. for later this year – and most recently sued by its investors. Overall, WotC managed properties such as Magic: the meeting and Dungeons & Dragons, in addition to mobile games such as Go monopolyhave been the company’s savior. In its most recent quarterly earnings reportHasbro stated that its sales are down 15% overall. However, the WotC and digital gaming segments saw a 7% increase in sales, indicating that while the rest of the toy business continues to struggle, the strongest bet is to invest more in what’s already working. Whether control over the Commander format, an increase in cross-IP collaborations, and the company’s prioritization of digital play are winning strategies remains to be seen.