Improve customer confidence in MTG, and implement product redemption keys into real-life physical products.
I sent this via email, but got seemingly auto-replied to by a routine copy-and-paste message telling me to come to the forums... Corporate run arounds, what-have-you, so I'm doing just that, lol. Anyway, I'm going to just get the rough stuff out of the way:
This game's model makes me uncomfortable to invest in.
Now, some background: I've spent thousands of dollars a year on the Pokemon TCG for about 20 years now (I'm 28), but I'm looking to get away from the game and replace it with something more intricate and challenging... And I've been looking at MTG, as it's the best card game on the planet bar none... However, due to where I live, I never really have anyone to play with, so digital is the way to go.
However, MTG Arena has a huge, huge flaw: I have no confidence in its model that it's going to be here 5 to 10 years after I dump hundreds to thousands of dollars into the service a year... This is solely because the online game is not tied to the physical one at all, and due to the history of Magic's digital games being abandoned and short-lived, I have very little faith that MTG Arena is going to be around for very long, and as a result, I would lose access to everything ever purchased.
So, a recommendation: If you guys plan to keep this, why not take the Pokemon route and tie it to the physical product with redemption codes like the attached file to show consumers dedication to the platform? You could leave the in-game store inside of Arena; Just simply add redemption codes to booster packs, starter decks, or whatever you choose... I simply do not have faith that this product will be around in 10 years, and as a result, do not feel comfortable investing in it, but I really really want to, nonetheless... But, with that said, I need to get the last bit of something out of the way, too: "We currently have no plans to abandon Arena" isn't reassuring, due to the history of digital Magic The Gathering games which have been abandoned over the years.
It's not like it's a monumental task to do, either. MTG Arena already has a code redemption system built into it... All that's required is crafting a key generator, implementing it into the game, and adding an extra line of code onto the throw-away sheet of paper inside of the physical MTG products. Just a recommendation. Arena is a very solid game that shows promise, I just simply have no confidence in it.
Do some market research, Wizards. Truly. Go play with your competitor's product, as it is currently the better investment. I can't grow a collection with you, because you're attempting to bill me twice... The goal in business is to make money, but at some point you need to meet your consumers half way. Arena has the capability to be an absolute titan in the industry, but not with its current model, as it forces you to choose between digital or physical playstyles when they really shouldn't have to.