Magic Celebrates 25th Anniversary In A Big Way

Magic The Gathering is the most popular trading card game of all time. The game has been transforming kitchen tables into battlefields for 25 years this year, and Wizards of the Coast has decided to celebrate the impressive accomplishment in epic fashion. Magic's official website posted a video announcing new in-store play programs, digital offerings, and more. You can check out the full video announcement above, and more information about all of what is coming for the big 25th anniversary below.

First coming this year is the unknown new world of Ixalan, and all we know so far is that there will be pirates fighting dinosaurs. The first Ixalan set is set to release on September 29th. You can check out Wizard of the Coast's official description of Ixalan below,

"For centuries, the untamed jungles of Ixalan have hidden a coveted secret: Orazca, the city of gold. But no secret can remain undiscovered, and no treasure can be taken uncontested. Unfurl your sails, saddle up a dinosaur, and battle your rivals as you embark on a journey to claim the plane's greatest fortune for yourself!"

Following the first Ixalan set we will be returning to the mysterious world on January 19, 2018, as the second set of the Ixalan block, Rivals of Ixalan will be released. There will also be a brand new art book to show off the beauty behind Ixalan, with The Art of Magic: The Gathering—Ixalan. The new book will be available January 2, 2018, and is described below:

"Set sail for the uncharted jungles of Ixalan, where dangerous beasts, magnificent ruins, and lost treasures lie waiting to be discovered. Saddle up your Dinosaur mount and brave the unknown as you search the plane for a prize forgotten by history . . . until now!"

But that will not be the end of Ixalan, as a all new multiplayer experience will be set in the world, Explorers of Ixalan. Explorers of Ixalan is described as, "an out-of-the-box multiplayer Magic experience that challenges you to defeat your opponents along the way as you search for the lost city". The new multiplayer adventure is set to release on November 24, 2017.

Ixalan is just the tip of the iceberg, as there is so much to get excited about with this big celebratory year, such as

• A new Duel Decks, Duel Decks: Merfolk vs. Goblins, which is set to release on November 10, 2017. The new duel deck will feature two of the most classic tribes in Magic history as you will chose Goblins or Merfolk in two pre-built 6-card decks.
• There will also be a new From the Vault series as From the Vault: Transform will be coming November 24, 2017. Not much is known about the release, but it will collect fifteen classic transforming cards.
• On April 28, 2018, there will be large set release as Magic fans will return to Dominaria.
• It looks like core sets are making a comeback to magic on July 20, 2018.
• Also, silver boarder cards are making a comeback with the new Unstable set, which releases December 8, 2017.
• Finally, as one of the biggest announcements in the 25th anniversary celebration, there will be a 25th anniversary–edition Masters set releasing on March 16, 2018. "The product will contain 249 cards from across Magic's entire history and will provide a drafting experience like previous Masters products. Available in English, Japanese, and Simplified Chinese".

The 25th anniversary celebration is going to begin at HASCON which is set to take place in Providence, Rhode Island, September 8–10, 2017. HASCON is a going to be a major event filled with games, previews of upcoming products, and special events. The event will also be the first time the upcoming Iconic Masters is going to be revealed. For more information on HASCON, visit hascon.hasbro.com.