Mark Rosewater, the principal designer for Magic: The Gathering at Wizards of the Coast, a veteran who has shaped cards across all of Magic`s diverse play formats, made a surprising confession at MagicCon Atlanta. During a press Q&A, Rosewater openly shared insights into his relationship with the game, revealing that he personally struggles to enjoy Commander, despite its status as MTG`s most widely played format.
When questioned about potential player exhaustion regarding “Universes Beyond” – Magic`s frequent crossovers with external intellectual properties – Rosewater expressed empathy. He acknowledged that he understands why some players might not fully embrace these collaboration sets, drawing a parallel to his own reservations about other popular Magic initiatives, particularly the Commander format.
Rosewater articulated his stance clearly: “I`m not a Commander enthusiast. For me, Magic has always been fundamentally strategic. My enjoyment comes from outmaneuvering my opponent through intellect and planning. Commander, in contrast, doesn`t feel like a strategic game; it`s more about politics, about playing the people at the table.”
The Commander format, characterized by its four-player multiplayer dynamic and vast card pool, has surged in popularity, evolving from a niche variant into the dominant mode of play for Magic. To facilitate entry for new players, numerous expansions, such as the recent Final Fantasy and Edge of Eternities releases, now conveniently include pre-built Commander decks.
He confessed to a period of “soul searching” regarding Commander, admitting to concerns that “Magic was transforming into something that no longer aligned with his personal preferences.”
Ultimately, he came to terms with the format, understanding the immense joy it brought to countless players. This acceptance was aided by the knowledge that he could always revert to his preferred one-on-one Magic formats, such as Legacy or Modern, whenever he desired.
Rosewater summarized his epiphany, stating, “The more individuals playing and enjoying the game, the stronger the game becomes overall. I had to personally reconcile with the sheer happiness this format generates. As a player, I realized I needed to accept that Magic thrives when others find joy in it.”
Beyond discussions on Commander, MagicCon Atlanta also unveiled the comprehensive 2026 release schedule for Magic: The Gathering. This includes major expansions based on beloved franchises like The Hobbit, Star Trek, and Marvel Super Heroes. Additionally, several limited-edition Secret Lair drops were announced, featuring collaborations with PlayStation, The Office, Furby, and Jaws.