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About

Current Landscape of TCG:

  • As a lifelong fan of trading card games, I felt like there was something flawed with the games that I fell in love with as a child. Over the years, the games have reached a point of complexity where you need an encyclopedia just to finish a game. On top of that, the overall cost to play competitively in either casual or professional contexts is incredibly high. And finally, as a collector, the games were going in so many directions with alternate arts, frame variants, hologram variants, crossover sets, and more – it was dizzying and left a feeling of emptiness; a feeling as if I’d never be able to feel satisfied, or like I can complete a collection to my satisfaction. Now, in my 40’s, with kids of my own, I realized that the game I loved so much growing up was one I didn’t want to pass on to my kids. Something had to be done.

Emerging TCGs:

  • After researching the landscape of TCGs, it was clear that a true contender for the #3 position among the top trading card games had not yet been named – and was very much in demand.
  • I saw dozens of new Trading Card Games going to market on Kickstarter and other platforms, and each of them, as a player and collector of the top 2 TCGs, fell short of my personal standards. To keep it short, they were:
  1. Hybridizing formats (mixing formats like Board Games and Trading Cards).
  2. Hyping collectibility with pre-slabbed cards, NFTs, and other gimmicks.
  3. Recruiting past game designers to boost credibility.
  4. Using misleading claims like “research-based” to artificially boost credibility.
  5. Changing core gameplay mechanics to “be different”, instead of using proper research and user testing protocols.

Inspiration:

  • I grew up in a culture of philanthropy and participated in community and fundraising events to support families impacted by blindness and mental disabilities. I also lost a close friend of mine to the war in Iraq, only weeks after returning home for the birth of his son.
  • Having experienced the loss of my own father and bullying at a young age, along with other challenges like ADHD, social anxiety, and a fear of public speaking, I always dreamed about living up to the examples of other people; individuals who gave their time, and in some cases, their lives to make a difference in the world.
  • Reflecting on my childhood, the Comic Book and Trading Card Game culture helped me overcome many of my childhood struggles, including socializing and making friends. It’s also well-documented that trading card games in general also help kids and military members with Autism, ADHD, and PTSD to make friends, building soft skills, and have a sense of community.
  • The current TCG landscape is broken.
  • The emerging TCG competitors are unsatisfactory.
  • A single project allows me to combine my skills as an artist, love for gaming, and passion for philanthropy.
  • And it just so happens to be in a market long overdue for a true competitor.#LETSGO!

Research-based Approach

  • In order to create truly exceptional gameplay, I harnessed over 20 years of experience in research and design, and over 30 years of history as a TCG player to research the space and create a vision for the product.
  • Through both qualitative and quantitative methods, interviews with pro players and other game founders, and more, I was able to use research data to highlight what people love, discard what people don’t, and combine that information to create something truly exceptional.

Artist Platform

  • As a fellow artist, I understand how difficult it can be for artists to carve out an identity, network, build a follower base, and generate a list of supporting patrons. Beyond that, many artists equally struggle with merchandising and marketing their skills in different creative marketplaces. With MageTCG, in addition to a digital variant of the game, our vision is to create a platform where artists can thrive!
  • While currently MageTCG is in a “proof of concept” stage, our goal is to evolve beyond that and commission artists for alternate art variants and limited promotional releases of our core set and future set releases.

Aesthetic & Gameplay Inspiration

  • Drawing inspiration from the aesthetic and gameplay of Trading Card Games back in the mid 90’s, “taboo” games like Tarot and Ouija, and even modern video games like Dark Souls, Witcher, and Skyrim, Elder Mage’s art direction establishes a more realistic, immersive, grittier, and in some cases, darker aesthetic and gameplay compared to other more commercialized TCG’s in the market. We believe the results speak for themselves, and we’re excited to go on this journey together with you!

Building In Public With The Community

  • We’re building in public, and with our community. That means everyone who participates becomes part of our story — especially through our Hall of Mages program, where players create original characters based on their own traits, powers, and personality. These Mages are then immortalized in our cards and lore, woven into our 13-book epic series, and set to appear in future comics, games, and adaptations.
  • Once our Alpha launches next year, this model will let us partner with causes, give back to communities, and keep delivering a game that’s as much about people as it is about play.

Our Progress So Far

In just our first stage of development, we’ve built an unstoppable foundation:

  • Pro Player R&D Team — competitive minds pushing the gameplay to its limits.

  • International Award-Winning Artists — crafting the visual world of MageTCG from day one.

  • Genius Game Designer, Grizzle — dialing in mechanics for a balanced, skill-based experience.

  • Active Playtesting Network — from our core team to partnered stores gathering live feedback.

  • Premium Printing Tests — first printer passed with flying colors; now testing new options to set an even higher standard.

  • Alliance with Dr. Robert Renteria & From the Barrio Foundation — building relationships at conferences, charity events, and community initiatives.

  • 10,000-Store Email Network — primed for nationwide retailer outreach through our partnership with the Tabletop Alliance.

  • Sales Team in Formation — securing sponsors for our Chicagoland & NW Indiana proof-of-concept tournament series.

  • Sponsor Deck & Tiers Ready — with plans to back cosplayers, commission more artists, and amplify community causes.

  • 320+ Page Lore, Art, and Rulebook — setting the tone for our future set releases, graphic novels, and more.

  • Flash Fiction Challenge — drawing in new authors to expand our universe even further.

  • Podcast Series — interviewing our community, store partners, and team members to tell their stories and amplify their voices.

  • YouTube & TikTok Vision Series — breaking down our mission, sharing behind-the-scenes progress, and keeping the flame burning for our growing audience.

We’re not just making a card game.
We’re building a legacy — and we’re doing it together.

Follow the Project

AI Art Policy

At MageTCG, we collaborate with professional artists across a range of mediums, including traditional and digital formats. While some artists may incorporate AI-assisted tools at specific stages of their creative process, every work we publish is guided, directed, and refined by human artistry.

We recognize that AI technology is now present in nearly every creative and professional industry. The critical question is not whether AI exists, but whether it is used ethically—to empower and create opportunities for artists rather than replace them. Our answer to that question is unequivocal: yes.

We are committed to upholding the highest standards of artistic integrity. We strongly oppose the exploitative and unprincipled use of AI that results in mass-produced, soulless content made solely for profit.

Our mission is to:

  • Create sustainable jobs for artists and writers.

  • Support the revival of the in-person gaming community.

  • Partner with local game stores, retailers, and community organizations.

  • Work alongside charities and causes that make a meaningful difference.

AI, when used under our direction, is never a substitute for human creativity—it is a tool that, in limited and ethical use, can enhance an artist’s workflow while preserving the heart, soul, and originality that only people can provide.