Success Factors for a Magic: The Gathering TV Series

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Magic: The Gathering, a popular card game since 1993, is finally getting a Netflix adaptation, and fans are eager to see it after years of anticipation.

The TV series should center around the Planeswalkers, skilled wizards capable of traversing dimensions, and feature a diverse cast embodying each color of MTG's color pie.

Remaining faithful to the game's captivating narrative, each season should delve into a single storyline, while exploring various planes characterized by distinct cultures and creatures, such as Ravnica, Mirrodin, and Dominaria.

Renowned as the most intricate card game in history, Magic: The Gathering is finally receiving the Netflix treatment. Since its inception in 1993, fans from around the world have passionately engaged with this tabletop game, yet surprisingly, it has not yet made its way to the small or big screen. Whether one plays or not, Magic: The Gathering is a card game that has captured the attention of all. Over the years, Wizards of the Coast has created more than 100 expansions for the game, establishing its enduring popularity.

In a departure from traditional storytelling, Magic: The Gathering does not narrate a plot in the conventional sense. Instead, Wizards of the Coast occasionally publishes brief stories on its website, featuring beloved characters from the game. The true narrative of the game, however, unfolds through the captivating visuals illustrated on each card. While many players focus solely on gameplay, there is, in fact, a rich and intricate story waiting to be adapted for the screen. Now that this long-awaited adaptation is becoming a reality, there are certain essential elements the show must successfully capture to gain the approval of its dedicated fan base.

The Core Planeswalkers

When it comes to potential characters for a TV series based on Magic: The Gathering, the franchise offers a rich pool to choose from. However, the most compelling option would undoubtedly be the inclusion of one or more Planeswalkers. These formidable wizards possess the ability to traverse various dimensions, commonly referred to as planes. Across multiple card sets, these characters have been introduced with detailed backstories. What sets Magic apart is the fact that a TV show wouldn't need to delve into their origins, as they already possess captivating and complex narratives.

Thanks to the set "Origins," fans were able to witness the origins and motivations of each of the main five characters, providing showrunners with material should they choose to explore that direction. It would be a challenge to have a series solely focused on one Planeswalker, as many of their stories intertwine. Therefore, the series should have an ensemble cast, following one Planeswalker from each of MTG's color pie: White, blue, red, black, and green. The obvious choices for these color identities are Gideon, Jace, Chandra, Liliana, and Nissa, respectively. Garruk could replace Nissa if they are not both featured. However, it is worth noting that these are the newest Planeswalkers.

In 1993, Magic: The Gathering was established and initially revolved around a captivating tale of two warring brothers. Urza and Mishra, the first Planeswalkers introduced by the game's developers, played pivotal roles in this narrative. They also introduced the ongoing storyline of the antagonistic Phyrexians and their realm of New Phyrexia, which only reached a proper conclusion in the 2023 set, March of the Machines. A television series that delves into this war would surely captivate both avid fans and new viewers.

It is more likely that a TV series based on Magic: The Gathering would primarily focus on the "Lorwyn Five," the Planeswalkers introduced when the game introduced the Planeswalker card type. These five individuals are Ajani, Jace, Chandra, Liliana, and Garruk. Initially, the TV series could center around these characters to establish the magical world of Magic before expanding to include other popular Planeswalkers.

Follow the Stories from the Game

Not much is currently known about the show's storyline, but initial statements suggest that it will center around the "Gatewatch," a group of Planeswalkers similar to the Avengers, who safeguard different planes in the multiverse. The central character of the story will be Gideon Jura. While the show can deviate from the card game's narrative to some extent, it should stay true to its core elements. Altering the sequence of events is acceptable, as long as the main highlights remain intact.

The storytelling in Magic: The Gathering is known for its slow-burning sagas that span for decades. An example of this is Nicol Bolas, an ancient dragon Planeswalker, whose villainous schemes began in 2008 with the Shards of Alara set and concluded in 2019's War of the Spark. Similarly, the TV series should adopt this approach, telling ongoing tales. However, each season should primarily focus on one storyline to avoid overwhelming the audience. Even for dedicated fans of the game, the abundance of narratives can be daunting, causing some to solely concentrate on the gameplay rather than the stories.

The card game contains three main stories intertwined with smaller plots. The first is the Brother's War, which began with the terrifying Phyrexians attempting to assimilate the entire multiverse. Another major story revolves around Nicol Bolas, who manipulates events from behind the scenes, slowly unveiling his grand plan. The final significant antagonists are the Eldrazi, Lovecraftian beings from other dimensions that consume planes. Although there appears to be a conclusion to their storyline in different sets on different planes, there are indications of their eventual return.

These stories possess abundant material and themes that could span multiple seasons, rivaling the complexity and popularity of Breaking Bad for the Magic: The Gathering TV series.

Popular Planes

The essence of Magic: The Gathering lies in the exploration of diverse worlds that its characters embark upon. While the game originated on Dominaria as the central hub of the multiverse, it soon expanded to encompass an array of vastly contrasting planes teeming with unique cultures and extraordinary creatures, including goblins, angels, vampires, and exceedingly intelligent dragons. Though the incorporation of various planes may initially appear overwhelming for a television series, a plausible approach could be adopted akin to that of Doctor Who. This renowned series delves into distinct time periods or planets with each episode, drawing a parallel to the concept of different planes.

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Naturally, the Magic: The Gathering show must showcase all the fan-favorite locations. Among these, Ravnica stands out as a highly acclaimed plane, captivating players with its sprawling cityscape and constant political power struggles between factions. Another intriguing plane is Mirrodin, initially created as a personal sanctuary by the Planeswalker Karn until the Phyrexians invaded and transformed it into the menacing New Phyrexia. The original plane, Dominaria, boasts a grandiose high fantasy realm twice the size of Earth, featuring vast continents, expansive oceans, and a rich history that has inspired numerous expansions within the game.

While it is not necessary for every plane to be introduced within a single season, the show should carefully pace and stagger the introduction of each one to maintain an optimal flow. It is crucial that the series only ventures into different planes when there is a valid narrative reason to do so, ensuring that each plane feels distinct and holds significant importance within the storyline.

Magic The Gathering

Magic the Gathering is both a physical and digital collectible card game. It was created by Richard Garfield in 1993 and published by Wizards of the Coast. In this game, players assume the role of a Planeswalker and engage in battles against one another using a combination of spells, summoned creatures, and artifacts. Magic the Gathering offers two main rule categories, namely constructed and limited, and provides the option for two or more players to participate simultaneously.

Editor's P/S

As a Gen Z netizen, I am excited about the upcoming Magic: The Gathering TV series on Netflix. I have been a fan of the card game for many years, and I believe that the rich lore and characters of the game will translate well to the small screen.

I think that the most important thing for the TV series to do is to stay true to the essence of the game. This means focusing on the Planeswalkers, exploring the different planes, and telling epic stories. I also think that the series should be visually stunning, as the art of the game is one of its most appealing aspects. Finally, I hope that the series will be accessible to both fans of the game and newcomers alike.