Get ready to summon the power of the crystals and join forces with the iconic characters of Final Fantasy in the latest crossover event between Magic: The Gathering and Square Enix. In this exclusive first look, we’re diving into the world of Commander decks, preconstructed sets, and the creative process behind this highly anticipated collaboration.
A Crossover of Epic Proportions
Magic: The Gathering has a history of teaming up with beloved franchises, but this Final Fantasy crossover is something special. With four mainline games represented across the preconstructed Commander decks, fans of both series are in for a treat. Each deck includes 100 cards, featuring a mix of reprints with new Final Fantasy art and brand-new cards designed specifically for the Commander format.
A Deep Dive into the Lore
Senior Game Designer Daniel Holt and Principal Narrative Game Designer Dillon Deveney shared their insights on the creative process behind this set. According to Holt, the team chose Final Fantasy 6, 7, 10, and 14 based on a balance of gameplay and overall recognition. “Final Fantasy games are so rich with flavor, beloved characters, and unique settings that choosing a single game as the theme provided more than enough material to design a full deck of cards around,” Holt explains.
Deveney adds, “Our core approach to Final Fantasy VII was to capture the original PS1 game’s narrative, while using Final Fantasy VII Remake and Final Fantasy VII Rebirth’s modern aesthetics to push the fidelity of each character design, story moment, and memorable location to the next level.”
Nostalgia and Innovation
The team’s approach to Final Fantasy 6 was particularly interesting. Without the modern art references of the other three games, they had to get creative. Deveney explains, “We developed a workflow that asked concept artists and card artists to pull hallmark character designs from Yoshitaka Amano’s original concept art, the original FFVI sprites, and the FFVI Pixel Remaster character portraits, to synthesize the most consistent elements of each character’s design into something ‘new.'”
The Lead Characters
Choosing the lead characters for each deck was a crucial part of the process. Cloud was an obvious pick for Final Fantasy 7, but the others required some brainstorming. Celes was considered for Final Fantasy 6, while Yuna was considered for Final Fantasy 10. In the end, they stuck with the “lead” characters on those games, but Final Fantasy 14 presented a unique challenge. “For Y’shtola, it came down to a mix of popularity of the character as well as being a spellcaster, her story and character development offered a wide range of abilities and moments to pull from to lead the deck,” Holt explains.
What to Expect
The Magic: The Gathering Final Fantasy crossover is set to launch this June, featuring four preconstructed Commander decks, each with 100 cards. The decks will be fully draftable and Standard-legal, offering a unique gaming experience for fans of both series.
Actionable Insights
- Get ready to summon the power of the crystals and join forces with iconic Final Fantasy characters in the latest crossover event between Magic: The Gathering and Square Enix.
- Each of the four preconstructed Commander decks features 100 cards, including reprints with new Final Fantasy art and brand-new cards designed specifically for the Commander format.
- The creative process behind this set involved a deep dive into the lore of each Final Fantasy game, with the team choosing characters and storylines that would resonate with fans of both series.
Summary
The Magic: The Gathering Final Fantasy crossover is a game-changer for fans of both series. With four preconstructed Commander decks, each featuring 100 cards, this set offers a unique gaming experience that combines the best of both worlds. From the nostalgic charm of Final Fantasy 6 to the modern aesthetics of Final Fantasy 7 Remake, this crossover is a must-have for anyone who loves strategy, storytelling, and the magic of the crystals.