MTG head designer explains the most difficult part of making Universes Beyond sets

The article discusses the challenges faced by Mark Rosewater, the head designer of Magic: The Gathering, in creating Universes Beyond sets that integrate characters and mechanics from other popular franchises, such as Avatar, Spider-Man, and Final Fantasy. Rosewater explains that the most challenging aspect is adapting Magic's established mechanics and color pie to fit the new universes, while ensuring the sets remain true to the original properties. This requires a delicate balance, as the design team must find ways to incorporate the unique elements of each franchise without disrupting the core Magic experience. The article highlights the need to carefully consider how the new characters, abilities, and themes will interact with Magic's existing systems, ensuring a seamless and engaging gameplay experience for players. Rosewater emphasizes the importance of thorough playtesting and collaboration with the external IP holders to ensure the final products are both faithful to the source material and enjoyable for Magic players.