Magic The Gathering's 30th Anniversary Edition Is Not For You 

What would you rather spend $1,000 on instead? Let me know! ... ... And remember! My Discord has a 100% free "Looking For Game" section, with games of everything from Commander to Modern (and even Pauper) firing off. So if you want to get some webcam Magic, just check out discord.gg/tolariancommunitycollege

We really went from "this product is not for you" to "most of these products are not for you" to "this company is not for you" huh.

When the majority of what wizards sells becomes “not for me” it means that the game as a whole starts becoming “not for me”

We did something so special we'll make sure 99.999% of our playerbase can't have it.

Somewhere in the multiverse, there is a universe where this was a typo, the packs costed $9.99, and we all had a good laugh about how ridiculous it would be to sell four packs for $999.

Hey Prof., you haven't been "Too negative" recently. You've only been correct in what you were saying, a much heavier crime. Thanks for making a video about this.

This should be 4$ a pack and include a "Sorry we've screwed y'all over for 30 years" special apology card in every pack.

"just how big did we go?" "so, so big, that's how big" I can never get over how fake and soulless that line is. It is an incredible achievement. It's like they were trying to capture the very essence of being dead inside and forcing yourself to try and sell something you know perfectly well to be a steaming pile of trash. They nailed it in the most spectacular fashion imaginable. She might as well be screaming into a megaphone "ignore absolutely everything we are going to say and stay the F away from this absolute garbage".

Yugioh player checking in, I know nothing about Magic the Gathering but wanted to know what all the buzz is with the new 30th Anniversary packs. A thousand dollars for four random packs of non tournament legal cards?! And they only give ONE to local game stores?! That sounds absolutely insane. Complete robbery. I thank you for making such a comprehensive, well spoken breakdown of this product. Even I could understand it and I don't know the first thing about the game.

A quote from the actual article "So few people had the experience of opening a Black Lotus or Mox Sapphire when Magic was originally released" so they end up releasing a product so egregiously overpriced that even fewer people will get the opportunity!

Prof. Thank you for putting the community's voice in a megaphone. This is pure money grabbing at it's peak. And it's a shame because this could have been an amazing product for EVERYONE to enjoy, instead of just people with insane amounts of money.

I have no words for this. Not even Yu-Gi-Oh, lead by Konami of all companies has done things this scummy (in fact I feel most of the time there are fair with it's consumers). I can't believe the direction of magic in these last years.

I’m 41 years old and I’m by no means an expert of magic. What I am is a fan remembering when I was 14-15 years (1995-1996) old and being introduced to this new world of game play. Such a fun time remembering how everyone gathered to play this game, either played in the back of an old comic store or on the floor (where ever) to play. The point that I’m trying to make is that the innocence of a youth being able to afford a pack and share it with friends is long gone. I grew up poor but for my father to be able to purchase a single pack was huge for me let alone two. Just scrolling YT and to see that this product is being sold at these prices is ridiculous, especially for cards that can’t be used is silly. And in that pack I opened an “Icy Manipulator”, not a rare card but something I was happy for. Sad to see these companies try to squeeze the pockets of potential future players and leave the core fans out (exclusivity). Side note, surprisingly I was able to find my original decks from the 90’s in my garage. What great memories and that is something you can’t put a price on.

Proxy artists should release their own 30th anniversary packs for a fraction of the price

The comedic timing of Gavin shortly after the reveal of the proxies making a video about how much they appreciate the LGS was truly amazing.

Man, everytime I get the itch to play MTG again and get back into the scene, something like this always rears itself into view. Just utterly kills any inspiration.

wizards: 4 random rares and 56 commons for $999 (plus tax) konami: here's a box with cards so shiny you'll need sunglasses so you don't go blind from opening the box. $20 MSRB

Reminder that Pokemon TCG printed "Evolutions", which was essentially a reprint of their Alpha - Base Set. It was priced like any other set and booster. It wasn't just printed "to demand", it was overprinted and included in every bundle, pack and other product. Despite that, the moment it was out of print, it skyrocketed in price, because it was so beloved and fun to open.

This really is the saddest thing wizards did. Secret lair was iffy at times, “commander” masters was pushing it and now this, this is going too far

I really wonder if they did a cost analysis between releasing this at 1000 bucks to a handful of people, or maybe 10 bucks a pack to most people, or 4 bucks a pack to everyone. Can you imagine if they printed this like a regular set? It would sell huge.

This is going to lead to a weird situation where the sealed versions of these packs may be worth more than anything they could contain because unopened ones are more rare than the circulating supply of their contents.

fucking heartbreaking that the ONLY thing wizards can see the 30th anniversary of their game as is a chance for more money

I find hilarious that Konami's idea for a $1000 anniversary limited run is to stamp and print a 0.2kg ingot of real silver into its poster child monster with original art and a certificate of authenticity, and WotC's is to sell random proxy packs.

I actually cried during the beginning, the beginning was so heart felt and amazing, to be crushed by the price and and the negativity was absolutely wrecking

Charlie said this was the best video to watch about MTG 30th anniversary and boy did he nail it. Amazing video, I didn’t think I would be standing here, bystander to the game at 8am completely invested. 😂

I'm glad that wizards of the coast decided to go in this direction for the 30th anniversary. It made it easy to decide not to buy anymore of their products retail.

when you said "imagine beta draft" my heart immediately broke for what could have been. yes, i can always just proxy these cards myself, but a whole lgs of people drafting beta isnt a power i have. what could have been.

Asmongold did a reaction video to this. It makes me so happy the amount of reach this issue has which is going beyond MTG players and reaching more widespread larger communities. I truly hope WoTC here's this loud and clear that we will not stand for this type of betrayal.

It's stuff like this that helps me justify my recent decision to stop buying retail Magic products full-stop. At the same time, it's stuff like this that reminds me how freakin blessed we are to have the Prof on our side. Thank you, Prof, and I wish you many curved-out games.

When a game maker keeps making things that aren't for 90% of its community it is sending a very clear message.

The worst part is that if I had an extra grand to use on cards I'd just buy a real Gaea's Cradle or 2-3 dual lands

I was introduced to MTG shortly after the release of Homelands, Ice Age, and 4th edition. I really got into it during Mirage and Alliances. I still own thousands of cards and have 75 decks ready to play, but I haven't purchased any new cards since, well, I can't even remember since when. Today's MTG makes me sick to my stomach is such a sad downward spiral for what was once a truly innovative idea and an incredibly fun and addictive game.

I'd really love to hear Richard Garfield's take on this (as I eagerly anticipate the release of Solforge Fusion).

I DEFINITELY feel like WotC has solidly decided we are no longer their Target Demographic and it's definitely a sad year.

As someone who is a contemporary of thr Prof, I started playing around the time Arabian nights came out... I really started getting serious playing/collecting when revised came out... when I saw that they were going to be releasing proxy cards for thr 30th anniversary I was so pumped I was almost shaking... who cares if they had different backs!? My playgroup (2 out of 3 other players ive known since those days) could draft our hearts out and have a nostalgia high... but as I read on I saw thr price and literally thought it was a typo until I texted my buddy and he confirmed... honestly one of the biggest let downs/missed opportunities I've ever seen.... what a joke. Literally would have been better to not release anything

I'm not a MTG player, but sheesh, this price tag is insane. My condolences to MTG fans everywhere.

Great video mate ! Sadly this kind of situation is happening to many other types of medias and games. Sad to see this

You could have just said, "it's not a celebration, it's an exploitation of the good will players have given to Wizards of the Coast"

Hasbros greed destroyed the best game ever created. They actually managed to do it. Listening to those keynotes from Wizards/Hasbros management, feels like regular politicians trying to convince you the the worst possible idea is: “Good”. This makes me so, deeply sad. Thank you Prof for sharing!

Yeah this hurts. I just started playing in spring 2020 and your opening statement got me so pumped to learn about the game through real play. But now it feels like im watching The Onion cover mtg

12:08 holy cow I was there, GP Vegas, making my first every Day 2, great memories. I quit MtG in 2014, and it's sad to see this is how things have evolved for the game.

My jaw *literally* dropped when you revealed the price. I was actually astonished.

The Prof is all of us. He is the heart and soul of MTG. It's really awful to see the direction continue down this path for WotC.

Thank you for the video , changed my mind returning to MTG this weekend .

You are so spot on about this. I've always had money for case or two of magic since 1994 and this one was just unreasonable and over the top. So sad it's come to this. Makes me want to sell my collection and get out completely.

I attended Magic Celebration for the 20th anniversary at my lgs. Wizards gave everyone 30 card decks of the core set in the color they wanted to play. There were at least 30 of us there. WotC provided boosters to give out in between rounds, three rounds of play. Then we got promos at the end, albeit old promos from the LGS. It was all free to the Magic community, and one of the most enjoyable events I've ever attended. This offering for the 30th anniversary is anti player.

Thank you professor for being the voice that many of us don't have this 30th anniversary was a slap in our face for the community

The entire content could be applied to so many others like gaming, awesome video dude

I love this channel. Haven't played MTG in over ten years but still love the videos.

I simulated opening 4,000 packs, and my results were: $1,183.65 spent per dual land $3,083.33 spent per piece of power A Revised Edition Volcanic Island can be bought for $455, and an Unlimited Edition Ancestral Recall can be bought for $2,899 at the time of writing on TCGPlayer.

Wow, even the CEO of Games Workshop would see this reveal and probably think "well this is maybe pushing it too far"

Honestly, I dont even play Magic: The Gathering, but you really are so informative and have such a passion for this game that I am drawn to watching your content, its a shame iv always wanted to get into the game but it isnt really a poor mans game it seems =/

Never watched one of your videos. But I must say well done sir. 100% correct. Now I have not played magic since probably when Ice Age came out. I started playing Magic in 1995 and fell in love with it. I am still a collector of many things. Some are high end comic statues. But I'm wanted to get back some of my magic cards I had when I was a kid. I had 3 power nines when I played. Time twister time walk and ancestral recall. But I went online and found a amazing proxy company and bought all power 9 cards for around $30 and they look amazing! It is a shame what this company did to celebrate 30 years. Thanks for your time.

I hate the fact that my friend made me come to love magic a few years back, because I grew to love it just in time to watch what it be squeezed for every penny it was worth.

Thank you for adding the video of the announcement…. It was horrifying. I hated the announcement video and how they just announced $999 with straight faces. Such an insult. Anyway. Thank you prof. This video was so important. Thank you for standing up for us.

ironically this video got me interested in magic, such great channel for the community it cracked me up and couldnt stop ever since

Never played magic, just a casual yugioh player and I have to say two things. One thank you for this beautiful and candid video. Two, even as a casual player of a different TCG under a different company, I am disgusted. All of my friends and other members of my Yugioh community have a profound respect for MTG and what it has stood for for all TCGs. The level of greed and disregard for the community that is the life blood of their company is an insult to all TCGs. I can only hope that Konami sees the vast amount of outrage and is reminded to always respect the players.

Your framing around how this could be a celebration is everything. An anniversary should be a time where people are excited to be playing and part of the game, and usually get rewarded for that.

I remember when the collector's edition and the world tour decks came out. They were priced reasonably, and were so fun to play with since I couldn't ever afford those cards as a kid. Had they done something similar again, I would be all over it. This is just sad.

I love how the professor gives it to you straight.

Strong Uncle Joey from Full House vibes ;) Great video, awesome insights

You hit the nail in the head. Beta drafts with this product would have been awesome and made everyone happy. But they had to ruin it with the pricing.

Can I just comment on the fact that I've never even played Magic but simply the pure love and passion this man has for his craft, has me watching his videos on a regular basis for the past few years. Thank you for the content Professor! Truly an inspiring content creator

Played Magic off an on since middle school for over 15 years. I've never dropped money on it, my decks were given to me by friends. Never played Commander or EDH or any of that, just your basic Magic with an ooooollllld Bushido deck. It saddens me to hear what Wizards is doing to the game, but ill still be playing with my old decks. You sir are very well spoken and impeccably well dressed, thank you for the information, you have earned my sub.

As a former Magic player this actually hurts me. But I get my card game addiction covered by KeyForge. Thankfully we have plenty of various other card games out there so hopefully we'll see a thriving community with several different games!

There aren't many of us who've been playing since 93 (I'm one of them). But I was so disappointed in this product announcement. I thought for sure there were people at Wizards that understood the community. Clearly, if there are, they have no voice in the decision making process. Next year could have been an amazing celebratory year for us as a community. This is the first time in my 30 years of magic fandom that I am seriously considering not giving another dime to them. My logical mind says this is the trial balloon. If it sells out, it's the first, and least disgusting product we'll see in the coming years, and I don't know if I want to be a part of it anymore.

It hurts listening to this. You can hear the heartbreak of someone who truly loves and cares about this game watch as it crumbles apart. I also never realized what I was missing until he talked about how amazing this should have been. Going to my game store to hear someone yell across the room they got the black lotus, to feel that excitement about this game again would have been amazing.

5:06 is shocking; our neoliberal hell is absolutley buckwild!

Thank you for your video! Just a very casual MTG fan

Man if they sold these at regular booster prices this would have been an absolute triumph and would have gotten me back in the game for so many events.

I can not believe how excited I was the first minute and 57 seconds, only to be unimaginably let down. I started playing at Revised Edition. This would have brought me so much joy. Happy 30th Anniversary MTG.

As a guy whose primary TCG happens to be WotC's ex(Pokemon), I'm sorry you lot had to go through this. For the sake of comparison, last year we got the Celebrations set, which was an ETB that had 10 boosters which had 25 unique cards based on various legendary Pokemon + Pikachu variants and a special full art version of the original Pikachu card, and 25 reprinted cards throughout the history of the Pokemon TCG, be it collector faves lile Base Set Charizard or Umbreon Gold Star, to tournament staples like Neo Genesis Cleffa or Luxray GL Lv. X. ...and it was only 50 bucks.

As someone who doesn't even really play MTG (just have a few old decks in a drawer) I feel so bad for any more dedicated fans. I'm so sorry this happened to you all.

This is a straight money grab. Hasbro is shaking down Wizards like Activision extorted Blizzard.

Man... $1000? I would commission a Proxy artist to proxy 5 full commander decks instead, maybe more.

yeah I was pretty hyped for that 30th anniversary box.... then I saw the price tag. I'm on disability and barely get that much in a month! so *no way* I'm ever getting my hands on one of those... I mean $99 I would've at least considered it but not for a whole grand that I can't afford!!

I wasn't going to comment since this is so old but... Yugioh just had their 25th anniversary and not only have we gotten a wonderful reprint pack (has allowed me to buy some cards I thought I'd never own due to price for 1-2 dollars each! Usually less) but also some of the most iconic original sets reprinted with updated errata and are tournament legal (everything they release is always tournament legal till a card is banned) at regular price while also providing some expensive options for the collectors that I can't afford that are still cheaper than the Wilds of Eldraine booster box. It's so crazy to me. Blows my mind.

I quit MTG in 2020 because I felt it was heading down a road I didn't want to follow. I came back in 2022 because it is a hard hobby to give up. It's my only real connection to getting out of the house, and being part of a local community. But I can see that the signs I saw back in 2020 were just the beginning.

This 1K product made me actually go out and buy a ton of proxy (actual fake mtg) cards. In addition, our play group voted to use proxies whether you own the card or not...previously you had to own one copy to proxy it. My day of buying expensive cards has come to an end. Its just been too much lately.

This is so tragic! I've been checked out of Magic since 2019 and had this show up in my recommendations. The intro was just gut wrenching! I was genuinely surprised at the fact that I would've been able to buy a box of beta to keep around for fun even if they were proxies, but my jaw dropped once you told the reality of what this product was. Makes me happy I'm not a fan of Magic anymore and most likely never will be.

This product, as an old school almost ptq grinder, makes me so happy ive changed my hobbies. back in lorwyn/morningtide to zendikar/worldwake i never thought id stop playing this game. Everytime I check in for nostalgia sake, I'm so happy I gave up the cardboard crack.

I appreciate so much, that someone so invested in mtg is willing to call wizards on being pirates. He’s the peoples Prof.

They really managed to nail the spirit of Magic, caving to speculators while simultaneously pricing players out of the game.

Konami: Celebrates Yu-Gi-Oh's anniversary with a $1000 Blue Eyes White Dragon Card made of 99.9% silver in a display case and official certificate, technically tournament legal. Also re-releases the first 5 booster packs ever released and an exclusive anniversary card in a collector's box for $30 which are also tournament legal. WOTC: 60 cards you can't play for $1000

Hi there, You want proxies from 1993 beta? you have 2 options: 1- Local office works shop to print em for 40 cents each 2- buy 30th anniversary packs for $999 for 4 packs or $16.65 a card or $250 a rare I'd personally print a middle finger and tweet it to HasBRO. What would you do?

This video about the 30th Anniversary is probably the best I've seen on this topic. This game is dangerous teetering on the brink. And this comes from someone who loves Commander and is constantly wither buying sleeves or singles for a new brew. Even in these tough times. That may have to change however....I hear Flesh and Blood boxes are pretty easy to come by.

Funny thing is, if this had just be a regular product, I would have bought multiple boxes to play mtg from the 90s. Oh well

I used to have that Hypnotic Specter and it was one of my favorite cards to play.

Grade A video. I subscribed solely due to this exact video. You are 100% correct

as a 29 year player, I've been through so many iterations of "they are ruining magic". some of it was reactionary (Homelands). But they've kept me coming back. However, my old fogeys playgroup and I ( who, incidentally COULD decide to purchase some of this product ) will not be doing so. Hasbro's constant need to increase sales quarter over quarter and year over year have moved Wizards into territory that just isn't sustainable in regards to maintaining it's long term player base. Like many others, I'll be purchasing more proxies. The only way to voice our displeasure that will register is to STOP HANDING HASBRO YOUR MONEY.

Thank you Prof. for expressing my (and not only my) thoughts on this with the clearest and most polite words that only you are capable of. I am an Italian veteran collector, started at the very beginning, and I feel insulted by this product, and by WotC in general. I have always loved Magic since I was a kid, it has always been my n.1 passion. I have a very bitter taste in my mouth now that I see how they plan to "celebrate" this very important result. THIRTY YEARS! How many games have lasted so long? Do they even realize what they have? Of all the good there is in Magic, the only thing they can see is the money-making potential. Which of course, is fundamental part of Magic and its health and prosperity. But they have forgotten that this is the result of all the rest that is amazing in Magic. The game, the art, the lore, the characters... And most of all, the PLAYERS AND COLLECTORS BASE, and the STORES that make all of this possible! They are nothing without us, and still they treat us like we are nothing without them. How shabby! I don't want to write too much, but I want to conclude with this. I remember when during Lorwyn block one of the "commercial tip cards" you could find in boosters was one that simply said "15 years. Thank you." Maybe I am oversentitive, but that warmed my heart when I saw one. We didn't ask for that, but it was a simple message. It was for US, the players, the collectors, the store owners. It was free. It was sent for everyone out there. Maybe a commercial card with "30 years. Thank you." would have been better than all this scam. Sometimes less is more. When it comes to gifts and gratitude, really, what matters is the gesture itself, not the monetary value. Thanks to everyone who read this entire wall of text. A very disappointed Italian Magic lover

Same, I’m actually in a financial position to play mtg again as a 42 year old. I started playing when revised came out and had a beautiful time playing with my 12-14 year old friend group. I played up until homelands came out. I moved on to other hobbies and never imagined my beloved game of Mtg would become what it is today. I have kids of my own now that are graduating from school. Many times I’ve wanted to introduce the game to them. But where to start? Do I go back and rebuild my old decks? Do I go back to Unlimited, Arabian nights, Antiquities and spend 10-15k on nostalgia? Do I jump back into Mtg with the current sets? They only come out every 2-3 months with a new set. Which one is going to be the one? Are there starter decks? Do I buy a starter deck and and booster packs from the last 3 sets and the next 3 sets? It’s all a bit overwhelming at this point. I have kept collecting over the years, but only the cards I really like from ABU. It’s sad that this game has been reduced to a bi-monthly cash grab. It still holds a special place in my heart and it always will. If only Mtg 30th anniversary was the opportunity it should have been. A true celebration of magic the gathering that everyone could afford.

Here's hoping that something changes in 2023...I just got into MTG again (Stopped in Odyssey) and I loved Kamigawa: Neon Dynasty. So much, that I started buying physical cards again. It was fun - it was exciting and brought back some sliver of youthful enthusiasm that is often hard to experience, as we get older. Then New Capenna was next, and although I missed Neon Dynasty, some of NC's cards and themes grew on me. I still use Elspeth in a lot of decks of mine on Arena. But then as I took my journey to the card section at my local stores, I began to see over time, a drop in quality. To put it in a more appropriate term: I saw a decrease in the magical essence, that I always felt this TCG had and excelled at exuding. Then, as I find this Professor here, and watch his videos more, I learn why and how that essence we all knew was depleting. It's yet again, the root of most evil - money and greed. This 30th anniversary is a joke and I agree: It's not for me. When we turn MTG into a symbol of wealth and prestige, then it will lose the very essence and "magic" that made it one of the world's most notorious and fun table top games of all time. And don't get me wrong, I am not bashing the collecting aspect at all. I am building a playable, yet valuable collection. I just think that there needs to be a careful balance between the realms of collecting and the actual player-base of the game. You can't tell me Hasbro doesn't have the money to kick-in a bit more for the 30th anniversary of a timeless game such as this, insuring that Everyone has a chance to be a part of that moment. It's just a travesty when these corporate evil sorcerers swoop in to acquire a franchise, that has a fan-base whom some devote their life to, and then sell the soul out of said franchise for mere profit. To profit the pockets of some grubs that probably don't even play the game, no less. Lookin' at you too, Disney... :/

“This isn’t what Magic is about, I’m not sure what it’s about anymore.” I have felt this for about four years now. I haven’t played properly since Covid, and I’m happy about that. All of my favorite decks are banned, my friends no longer play, and WOTC has just become horrible.

How cool would it have been to have a 30th edition box topper PACK inserted in all of the booster boxes being released this year.

You nailed it completely with that intro.

- I have introduced so many players to the game since 1998 and I finally run out of time and people to play with after War of the Spark (but my heart has been really torn out of it when Mythic rares were introduced.) - I am proud to have been a part of one of the most dedicated and fucking hardcore fanbases in the history of anything. I have played any card game you can imagine, everywhere around the world and in every single store I've been the most serious and dedicated people have always been the MTG players. - One of the most enlightening experiences in my life has to be when the guy who taught me and my friends how to play purposefully drafted a pauper deck in a normal draft to teach us the value of synergies over rarity (something that makes me very mad to this day when WotC prints some broken shit). - I'm venting just to make you all know that I KNOW every Old School Mtg player is the same as me and that I am proud of what you have done! - To the crazy, diehard lunatics that still support this abominable cash-grab, perversion of what I had once loved and cherished, I have some words of comfort (because I love you too and you need it), IT'S NOT YOUR FAULT, net-decking ruined the game before you could, don't beat yourself too much. Peace!

I played Magic for 20 years of those 30. It was such a beauty of a thing. You saw someone play at school, the next week there's an entire playgroup, the next week after that we all find an LGS and hang out there. So many afternoons just having fun, making memories. Then it's the sad reality sinking in. You see the LGS (plural) in your area struggling, eventually close or change into a snack bar to pay the bills. You see the company pumping out product after product, you can't keep up anymore. You see all these shiny cool things, being limited, complicated to get and at abusive prices. You see no more PTs, no more GPs, no more exciting moments to talk about the next day with your homies. Entire formats being abandoned. Some being exploited for money like EDH. You see no flavour, no captivating stories, every set is just a bland "A to B" adventure. You even see out of place IPs being advertised within your once favorite card game. Steady increase in prices, even for older products. And now this...technically selling you 60 fake cards for 1000 dollars. A slam dunk of a product completely butchered by availability and price. And they even have the audacity to call this a celebration. I would call it murder. I discuss all of these events as they happen with my homies from way back then. We all laugh our asses off and keep saying "What he fuck happened to Magic, dude?? It USED to be so cool". But inside It literally pains my heart to see what the "game" became. It's not "Magic" anymore...just sleight of hand. A farce performed by a charlatan. What once was a fun game that could also be a cool collectible just turning into a mere «exclusive» collectible for rich people, gambling addicts, investors and shareholders. No game left to play. Fuck you, Hasbro. Fuck you, WotC. Fuck the state of this franchise.

Thank you for standing up for the players and the people who keep the game alive.

The professor: this product is wonderfull, its full of nostalgia and gives a feeling that is alien to newer players, also its either a collectable or usable as proxies. The same professor after 2 full minutes of praise: snap back to reality