A Look Back at Magic Commercials

by Bill Stark | posted at 2010-02-14 02:00:00
tagged: WOTC, MTG, Magic, Wizards, Wizards of the Coast, Magic the Gathering, Commercials

Magic marketing has come a long ways. Occasionally it's refreshing to take a walk back down memory lane to see where the game and its ads started and where they've come to today. Let's start our stroll, shall we?

 

Ice Age Promo, 1995

 

It's not even certain this one ever saw network television play, but it's a great example of the era, both for the "special" effects and where the game was at in its development. It takes you back.

 

Homelands Promo, 1995

 

In the same vein as the Ice Age spot, this version was for the Homelands set which followed the arctic release. It was originally designed to play in 3D, and was shown at the Homelands Prerelease. Back then, there was only one such event, and it was held in New York. It was designed to be more of an intense user experience than a tournament for players, showing the game off for elite fans and the press. You do get to see Prodigal Sorcerer, Serra Angel, and Hurloon Minotaur in the flesh, however.

 

Motel California, 1997

 

Perhaps the game's most infamous commercials, these four spots on MTV featured star players of the day like Mike Long, Brian Hacker, and Mark Justice explaining what Magic is and showing it off. While it's true campier things have been created in the course of history, these spots are pretty bad.

Entertainment and Competition, 1997

 

These two spots posed Magic as a refined hobby, a respite from a world of digital distractions, decreased human interaction, and life in general getting too busy. Okay, now that Magic can be found on the Xbox, personal computer, iPhone, as clothing accessories, in props in movies (watch the background of Spider Man REAL close sometime) the ads seem a bit...hypocritical, but here at TheStarkingtonPost.com we're about being thorough.

 

Fluffy Bunny, The Mailbag, The Demo Game, and Bob from Accounting, 1998

 

A personal favorite, this series of commercials is a tad reminiscent of ESPN's Sportscenters spots. Mock "behind-the-scenes" looks at the Magic offices, they featured cards from the era made real as massive mascot-like totems. Keep an eye out for Rhox, Orgg, Goblin Hero, and Kezzerdrix. No word on whether or not R&D ever plans on printing whatever card that poodle was based off of.

 

Play Magic, 2007

This series of ads were for a website designed to introduce players to Magic: PlayMagic.com. Some of the stars of the spots were actual employees of Wizards of the Coast.

 

Magic Game Day, 2007

 

This ad was specifically designed to promote Magic Game Day. The video features both the 30 and 15 second spots (wait past the short break following the 30 second version to see the second one):

 

Lorwyn, 2007

 

This brief spot showed off some of the cards from the impending release of Lorywn.

 

Here I rule, 2008

 

These ads are a different step for the game. Done in cartoon form, they were good spots to target Adult Swim audiences. Unlike previous efforts, they seem to focus less on the game and more on the essence of playing. Check out both the 30 and 15 second spots.

 

What do you think about the history of Magic ads? Share your opinions in the forum link below!

 

(Cover image copyright Wizards of the Coast)

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