Universes Beyond: Difference between revisions

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''Universes Beyond'' is a series that combines the gameplay of ''Magic: The Gathering'' with worlds, characters, and stories of other IPs.<ref name="Voyages"/><ref>{{EzTumblr|https://markrosewater.tumblr.com/post/644216862653202432/im-not-excited-about-about-the-universe-beyond|title=The answer is something we call “economy of scale”.|February 26, 2021}}</ref> The series is branded slightly differently from regular products and has a specific look as a result. These are still ''Magic'' cards, but the [[card frame]] will be distinct and has a triangular [[holofoil stamp]] that denotes them as the [[non-canon card]]s. This holofoil stamp was first seen on cards of the ''[[Secret Lair Drop Series: The Walking Dead]]'', and that set was grandfathered in into the ''Universes Beyond''-series. Another [[border]] color for ''UB'' cards was dismissed, because [[R&D]] (and Sales) feared that the ''UB'' sets wouldn't get treated as “this is a different subset of ''[[Magic]]''”, but rather as “this isn’t a real ''Magic'' card”.<ref>{{EzTumblr|https://markrosewater.tumblr.com/post/644222129547706369/tournaments-for-universes-beyond-could-have-been|title=Why did yall feel it was necessary to pollute the identity of the core game rather than just spin off a "Universes Beyond" format that was Legacy + UB cards?|February 27, 2021}}</ref>
''Universes Beyond'' is a series that combines the gameplay of ''Magic: The Gathering'' with worlds, characters, and stories of other IPs.<ref name="Voyages"/><ref>{{EzTumblr|https://markrosewater.tumblr.com/post/644216862653202432/im-not-excited-about-about-the-universe-beyond|title=The answer is something we call “economy of scale”.|February 26, 2021}}</ref> The series is branded slightly differently from regular products and has a specific look as a result. These are still ''Magic'' cards, but the [[card frame]] will be distinct and has a triangular [[holofoil stamp]] that denotes them as the [[non-canon card]]s. This holofoil stamp was first seen on cards of the ''[[Secret Lair Drop Series: The Walking Dead]]'', and that set was grandfathered in into the ''Universes Beyond''-series. Another [[border]] color for ''UB'' cards was dismissed, because [[R&D]] (and Sales) feared that the ''UB'' sets wouldn't get treated as “this is a different subset of ''[[Magic]]''”, but rather as “this isn’t a real ''Magic'' card”.<ref>{{EzTumblr|https://markrosewater.tumblr.com/post/644222129547706369/tournaments-for-universes-beyond-could-have-been|title=Why did yall feel it was necessary to pollute the identity of the core game rather than just spin off a "Universes Beyond" format that was Legacy + UB cards?|February 27, 2021}}</ref>


Wizards of the Coast may utilize the treatment from the [[Ikoria: Lair of Behemoths/Box Toppers|Ikoria Godzilla cards]] (existing ''Magic'' cards skinned with the alternate universe). But mostly, the sets will be like ''The Walking Dead'' (alternate universe cards that stand on their own). According to [[Mark Rosewater]], it is not feasible to have a ''Magic'' version for every new UB card, but [[R&D]] have the ability to make ''Magic'' versions of any UB card if the need arises.<ref>{{EzTumblr|https://markrosewater.tumblr.com/post/644305973166669824/ive-read-several-of-your-comments-about-some|title=I didn't love Secret Lair Walking Dead, because my choice wasn't Walking Dead Negan or MtG (Name), my choice is Negan, or nothing.|February 27, 2021}}</ref> The other way around, ''Universes Beyond'' may feature straight [[reprint]]s from original ''Magic'' sets with the same [[card name]] (but new [[art]]) and same mechanical cards but with a new name. It depends on how well the name fits the IP.<ref>{{EzTumblr|https://markrosewater.tumblr.com/post/644305465684131840/i-got-a-question-about-ub-cards-if-we-end-up-with|title=If we end up with reprints from MTG sets would they get Godzilla card treatment from Ikoria or something else in mind?|February 27, 2021}}</ref>
===Distribution===
''Universes Beyond'' products will not only be found in ''[[Secret Lair]]''s, but will be sold in the whole range of ''Magic'' products. [[Wizards of the Coast]] may occasionally do associated ''Secret Lair'' products related to the main release, like the [[Secret Lair Drop Series: The Godzilla Lands|Secret Lair Godzilla lands]] when ''[[Ikoria: Lair of Behemoths]]'' came out. There will also be the occasional standalone product like ''The Walking Dead'', but the intention is to typically make ''Universes Beyond'' as available as any other ''Magic'' product.
 
===Appearance===
Wizards of the Coast announced that on occasion they could utilize the treatment from the [[Ikoria: Lair of Behemoths/Box Toppers|Ikoria Godzilla cards]] (existing ''Magic'' cards skinned with the alternate universe). But mostly, the sets would be like ''The Walking Dead'' (alternate universe cards that stand on their own). According to [[Mark Rosewater]], it was not feasible to have a ''Magic'' version for every new UB card, but [[R&D]] have the ability to make ''Magic'' versions of any UB card if the need arises.<ref>{{EzTumblr|https://markrosewater.tumblr.com/post/644305973166669824/ive-read-several-of-your-comments-about-some|title=I didn't love Secret Lair Walking Dead, because my choice wasn't Walking Dead Negan or MtG (Name), my choice is Negan, or nothing.|February 27, 2021}}</ref> The other way around, ''Universes Beyond'' may feature straight [[reprint]]s from original ''Magic'' sets with the same [[card name]] (but new [[art]]) and same mechanical cards but with a new name. It depends on how well the name fits the IP.<ref>{{EzTumblr|https://markrosewater.tumblr.com/post/644305465684131840/i-got-a-question-about-ub-cards-if-we-end-up-with|title=If we end up with reprints from MTG sets would they get Godzilla card treatment from Ikoria or something else in mind?|February 27, 2021}}</ref>
 
====Secret Lairs====
In June 2021, the statement above was amended for Secret Lairs.<ref name="June 2021">{{DailyRef|news/secret-lair-universes-beyond-update-2021-06-07|''Secret Lair Universes Beyond'' Update|[[Wizards of the Coast]]|June 7, 2021}}</ref>  It was announced that for upcoming ''Universes Beyond'' Secret Lairs, Wizards of the Coast planned to:
* Create and print versions of the mechanically unique Secret Lair ''Universes Beyond'' cards that are set in ''Magic'' 's [[Multiverse]] approximately six months (the exact time may vary) after their release in Secret Lair.
* The in-''Magic'' versions will be available on [[The List]], findable in [[Set Booster]]s for as long as players are still interested in opening them. To start, they'll appear on The List more frequently than other cards to make them easier to find.
* Possibly reprint those cards in other products.
* The [[non-canon card]]s  and the [[canon]] cards will be considered equivalent game pieces, meaning you can only play four copies (or one copy) of either the ''Magic'' version or ''Universes Beyond'' version in your deck.
 
WotC does not plan to go back and do this for the cards from ''The Walking Dead''.<ref name="June 2021"/> Neither does this treatment extend to the larger, non-Secret Lair, product releases.


===Non-canon===
The [[Magic Story|''Magic'' story]] will not be told through any of the ''Universes Beyond'' sets.<ref>{{EzTumblr|https://markrosewater.tumblr.com/post/649052730315489280/i-want-to-voice-my-general-displeasure-at-the|April 21, 2021}}</ref>
The [[Magic Story|''Magic'' story]] will not be told through any of the ''Universes Beyond'' sets.<ref>{{EzTumblr|https://markrosewater.tumblr.com/post/649052730315489280/i-want-to-voice-my-general-displeasure-at-the|April 21, 2021}}</ref>
===Distribution===
''Universes Beyond'' products will not be strictly ''[[Secret Lair]]'' products but will be sold in the whole range of ''Magic'' products. [[Wizards of the Coast]] may occasionally do associated ''Secret Lair'' products related to the main release, like the [[Secret Lair Drop Series: The Godzilla Lands|Secret Lair Godzilla lands]] when ''[[Ikoria: Lair of Behemoths]]'' came out. There will also be the occasional standalone product like ''The Walking Dead'', but the intention is to typically make ''Universes Beyond'' as available as any other ''Magic'' product.


===List of featured brands===
===List of featured brands===

Revision as of 18:32, 7 June 2021

Universes Beyond (abbreviated as UB[1]) is a “sub-brand” of Magic: The Gathering that exists in addition to, and alongside, the regular line of products.[2] The series was announced by Chris Cocks in February, 2021 during the Hasbro 2021 Investor Event.[3][4]

The sets featured in this series are never Standard-legal.[2]

Description

Triangular holofoil stamp

Universes Beyond is a series that combines the gameplay of Magic: The Gathering with worlds, characters, and stories of other IPs.[2][5] The series is branded slightly differently from regular products and has a specific look as a result. These are still Magic cards, but the card frame will be distinct and has a triangular holofoil stamp that denotes them as the non-canon cards. This holofoil stamp was first seen on cards of the Secret Lair Drop Series: The Walking Dead, and that set was grandfathered in into the Universes Beyond-series. Another border color for UB cards was dismissed, because R&D (and Sales) feared that the UB sets wouldn't get treated as “this is a different subset of Magic”, but rather as “this isn’t a real Magic card”.[6]

Distribution

Universes Beyond products will not only be found in Secret Lairs, but will be sold in the whole range of Magic products. Wizards of the Coast may occasionally do associated Secret Lair products related to the main release, like the Secret Lair Godzilla lands when Ikoria: Lair of Behemoths came out. There will also be the occasional standalone product like The Walking Dead, but the intention is to typically make Universes Beyond as available as any other Magic product.

Appearance

Wizards of the Coast announced that on occasion they could utilize the treatment from the Ikoria Godzilla cards (existing Magic cards skinned with the alternate universe). But mostly, the sets would be like The Walking Dead (alternate universe cards that stand on their own). According to Mark Rosewater, it was not feasible to have a Magic version for every new UB card, but R&D have the ability to make Magic versions of any UB card if the need arises.[7] The other way around, Universes Beyond may feature straight reprints from original Magic sets with the same card name (but new art) and same mechanical cards but with a new name. It depends on how well the name fits the IP.[8]

Secret Lairs

In June 2021, the statement above was amended for Secret Lairs.[9] It was announced that for upcoming Universes Beyond Secret Lairs, Wizards of the Coast planned to:

  • Create and print versions of the mechanically unique Secret Lair Universes Beyond cards that are set in Magic 's Multiverse approximately six months (the exact time may vary) after their release in Secret Lair.
  • The in-Magic versions will be available on The List, findable in Set Boosters for as long as players are still interested in opening them. To start, they'll appear on The List more frequently than other cards to make them easier to find.
  • Possibly reprint those cards in other products.
  • The non-canon cards and the canon cards will be considered equivalent game pieces, meaning you can only play four copies (or one copy) of either the Magic version or Universes Beyond version in your deck.

WotC does not plan to go back and do this for the cards from The Walking Dead.[9] Neither does this treatment extend to the larger, non-Secret Lair, product releases.

Non-canon

The Magic story will not be told through any of the Universes Beyond sets.[10]

List of featured brands

Note that the 2021 Dungeons & Dragons: Adventures in the Forgotten Realms is not part of Universes Beyond, because Wizards of the Coast owns both the Magic and Dungeons & Dragons IPs.[2]

IP Set Year Notes
The Walking Dead Secret Lair Drop Series: The Walking Dead 2020 Grandfathered in.[2]
Warhammer 40,000 Warhammer 40,000 Commander decks 2022
The Lord of the Rings Lord of the Rings TBA

References

  1. ↑ Mark Rosewater (February 27, 2021). "In the MTG style book, is UB now 'Universe Beyond'? As in a blue black is no longer referred to as UB for style purposes?". Blogatog. Tumblr.
  2. ↑ a b c d e Wizards of the Coast (February 25, 2021). "Magic's Voyages to the Universes Beyond". magicthegathering.com. Wizards of the Coast.
  3. ↑ Christian Hoffer (February 25, 2021). "Magic: The Gathering Announces Crossovers With Lord of the Rings and Warhammer 40,000". Comicbook.com/.
  4. ↑ Hipsters of the Coast (February 25, 2021). "Magic is introducing a new class of product: Universes Beyond, which will take fan-favorite brands and bring them into Magic.". Twitter.
  5. ↑ Mark Rosewater (February 26, 2021). "The answer is something we call “economy of scale”.". Blogatog. Tumblr.
  6. ↑ Mark Rosewater (February 27, 2021). "Why did yall feel it was necessary to pollute the identity of the core game rather than just spin off a "Universes Beyond" format that was Legacy + UB cards?". Blogatog. Tumblr.
  7. ↑ Mark Rosewater (February 27, 2021). "I didn't love Secret Lair Walking Dead, because my choice wasn't Walking Dead Negan or MtG (Name), my choice is Negan, or nothing.". Blogatog. Tumblr.
  8. ↑ Mark Rosewater (February 27, 2021). "If we end up with reprints from MTG sets would they get Godzilla card treatment from Ikoria or something else in mind?". Blogatog. Tumblr.
  9. ↑ a b Wizards of the Coast (June 7, 2021). "Secret Lair Universes Beyond Update". magicthegathering.com. Wizards of the Coast.
  10. ↑ Mark Rosewater (April 21, 2021). "I want to voice my general displeasure at the...". Blogatog. Tumblr.
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