Wizards of the Coast is quietly preparing something unexpected for tabletop fans.
Instead of another expansion or spin-off product for Magic: The Gathering, the company is debuting an entirely new, fast-play card game designed by Magic’s longtime head designer Mark Rosewater.
The game will make its first public appearance at MagicCon: Las Vegas in May, where attendees can sit down and try it in short, demo-friendly sessions throughout the weekend.
And yes – this is a completely separate game, not a new Magic format.
What We Know So Far
Wizards is keeping most details under wraps, but here’s what’s confirmed:
- It is not part of Magic: The Gathering
- Built to be fast to learn and fast to play
- Designed specifically for quick “sit down and go” sessions
- Created directly by Mark Rosewater
- Playable publicly for the first time at MagicCon Las Vegas
From early descriptions, the focus is on accessibility and speed – something closer to a convention-floor game you can jump into between events rather than a full 60–90 minute commitment.
In other words: less “shuffle for ten minutes and draft,” more “deal, play, laugh, reset.”
Why This Matters
Rosewater has spent decades shaping Magic’s most iconic mechanics, sets, and philosophies. When he designs something from scratch outside of Magic, it tends to signal experimentation.
That’s interesting for a few reasons:
1. Wizards expanding beyond TCG scale
Not every player wants a lifestyle game. A quick, portable card game could hit:
- casual groups
- families
- board game cafés
- impulse convention purchases
Basically: the “tabletop snack” category.
2. Convention-first design
Debuting at MagicCon suggests this was made with live play and quick demos in mind. That’s often how breakout hits start (see: Exploding Kittens, Love Letter, etc.).
3. Rosewater’s design DNA
If Magic taught us anything, it’s that Rosewater understands:
- clean rules
- strong hooks
- “easy to learn, hard to master” gameplay
That combination usually produces something sticky.
What We Don’t Know (Yet)
Because Wizards loves mystery almost as much as it loves booster packs:
- Game name
- Player count
- Release date
- Retail plans
- Price
- Theme or setting
Right now, it’s strictly a hands-on demo situation set for May.
The Bigger Picture
Wizards experimenting outside of Magic is a smart move.
The tabletop space has shifted heavily toward:
- compact games
- quick setup
- lower commitment
- convention-friendly products
A Rosewater-led design aimed at that audience feels less like a side project and more like a calculated test balloon.
If reception is strong at MagicCon, don’t be surprised if this gets a retail launch faster than expected.
Final Thoughts
New IP from Wizards doesn’t happen often. New IP designed by Mark Rosewater happens even less.
Even without details, that alone makes this one worth watching.
If you’re attending MagicCon Las Vegas, this might be the sleeper hit hiding between the Commander pods and draft queues.
We’ll update as soon as Wizards reveals more.
