How Far Ahead Does WotC Plan M:tG Products?
General forum
Posted on Jan. 5, 2016, 9:27 p.m. by DemonDragonJ
We all know that WotC plans Magic: the Gathering products far ahead of their release dates, but exactly how far ahead do they plan?
For example, I am certain that, when the first Mirrodin and Ravnica block were released, the staff of WotC did not yet have any plans at that time to return to those planes, but, by the time of the Alara and first Zendikar blocks, they had finalized such plans.
Also, I imagine that the reactions of fans, which are impossible to predict with great accuracy, must have some effect on WotC's planning process; how else would they have decided to return to specific planes and not return to other planes?
What does everyone else here say about this? How far ahead does WotC plan their products?
DemonDragonJ says... #4
Seven years?! Wow, that is amazing! Is it really necessary to plan that far ahead, and do their plans change as time passes?
January 5, 2016 10:23 p.m.
They begin work on each set 18-24 months before the set is released, but Mark Rosewater has a 7 Year Plan about what planes/themes they want to visit during the next 7 years worth of sets. Large sets get 12 months for Design while small sets get 8 months.
January 6, 2016 12:18 a.m.
EpicFreddi says... #8
I think they could "spoil" a list where they give us a quick summary of what comes ahead. ... what I want to say: DO WE GET A DINOSAUR PLAIN?
chesspi says... #2
Mark Rosewater (lead designer at WotC) has announced the "codenames" for the block coming in late 2018/early 2019 ("Spaghetti & Meatballs"), which is, as far as I know, 6 blocks ahead of Battle for Zendikar block.
January 5, 2016 9:31 p.m.