MTG VP Thinks Future Square Enix Crossovers Are A “When, Not If”

Magic: The Gathering‘s upcoming Final Fantasy Universes Beyond crossover set is hotly anticipated by players ahead of its release in June. Not only is Final Fantasy an inherently popular series, but the collaboration will also be the first-ever Universes Beyond set to be legal in standard formats. The decision to move Universes Beyond from the more casual formats like Commander into standard play remains controversial.

In an interview conducted by GameSpot with the set’s lead game designer Gavin Verhey and Wizards of the Coast’s franchise vice president Rebecca Shepard, the pair seemed confident of future collaborations with Square Enix.

Magic: The Gathering x Championship Manager?

“I don’t think there’s ever an end to any partnership,” Shepard says. “Even if the product is done and we don’t reprint it anymore because the term of the contract expired, we still stay in contact. So much like any other partnership, we can revisit it like we revisit our own worlds. I’m not confirming something is in the works here, but it’s likely a matter of when not if.”

With 16 mainline games and countless spin-offs, Final Fantasy remains ripe for adaptation if Wizards ever want to print more crossover cards. Square Enix also owns a lot more intellectual property, albeit less popular than Final Fantasy. There’s certainly crossover potential with franchises like Kingdom Hearts, Mana and SaGa.

Also revealed in the interview is that Wizards has been working with Square Enix on the upcoming Final Fantasy set for over four years: “It takes so much time and conversation,” Shepard explains. “From the first reveal like we did recently, to the set’s launch, and then to any post-launch plans like reprints and everything else. Universes Beyond partnerships can be five, six, sometimes seven-year relationships depending on the pipeline.”

Verhey revealed that several figures at Square Enix are very invested in Magic, including Final Fantasy producer Shoichi Ichikawa. “One of the team members over there owns a Black Lotus. These are serious Magic players,” Verhey says. For those unaware, Black Lotus is the most expensive card in Magic: The Gathering, with the cheapest prints still selling for thousands.

Final Fantasy Universes Beyond releases June 13, with a future Marvel’s Spider-Man set planned for later this year.

Magic: The Gathering

Franchise

Magic: The Gathering

Original Release Date

August 5, 1993

Player Count

2+