When we continue to buy these un-inspired products one-after-the-other-after the-other-after the other, we send a very clear message to WOTC/Hasbro…we approve, send more dross.

When we fool ourselves into believing that modern sets with print runs in the millions (billions?) of cards containing a few carefully controlled and placed chase, specialty treatment, alt art, or serialized cards are indeed rare, scarce or have real value based on those two points are somehow sound investments or healthy for the game, we are encouraging WOTC/Hasbro to focus on profit over the game and speculators over players.
Let’s leave that kind of thinking where it belongs, the Pokémon franchise.

When the non-player consumer base has slaked their thirst upon these sugary gimmicks and player’s interest wear smooth on lack of utility, creativity and commitment to the original product, slow sales and the pinch of the bottom line will be felt. WOTC/Hasbro will pivot again make more unwanted changes and assuredly dangle yet another pretty hook in front of us.

Do not take the bait.

Stop supporting this behavior with dumb money .

Invest in vintage.

Play Magic, not the market.

Completed my first Beta play set!

Collectibles are just one form of investment and one that needs to be considered very carefully.
You must consider what a collectible is and what it is not.
What its true rarity or scarcity is, not what is perceived.
What its real value is, which can be based on a number of points which may be dependent on any number of other points.
You should be familiar and comfortable dealing in the actual ‘trade’ profession of the collectible market you are buying and selling in.
You most certainly need to understand risk, risk, risk. How much you are willing to take on and what that really means.
These are just a few basic points to consider, there are many, many more and doing some research will uncover them.

Before you dump your money into the next hot M:tG IP release you may be better served by doing the following:
Max out your 401K, IRA and HSA for the month.
If you don’t have those or know what they are, please talk to some one who does.
Pay your damn bills for the month…completely.
Pay down your credit card debt and/or loans for the month…then pay more.
IF you find yourself with an abundance of cash after paying your bills, cost of living expenses, debt, retirement investments maybe then dip your toe into a collectible investment.
But, at that point will it really be the newest ‘Fill in the Blank’ M:tG IP crossover…really?

How many more outside IP’s can be shoehorned into a game that once created joy, memories and community all on its own creativity and merit?
How long will we continue to prop up this kind of self destructive behavior by flooding money into an obvious corporate cash grab and then fool ourselves into believing that the product is somehow rare or collectable?
When will this corruption fully take hold and finally kill the host, leaving a bloated corpse to cook in the sun?
Maybe that day will never come.
Maybe Magic will simply secure a spot on the dung heap of IP crossover games like Monopoly, Risk and their ilk that persist in perpetuity and annuity for countless ages, reborn anew every Christmas on the shelves of Walmart and Target as a kitschy seasonal item wrapped in clean, crystal clear plastic.

Our game, IS dying.
Stop consuming these products.
Vote with YOUR money, there’s still time to turnabout.

Play Magic like it’s 1993.