In a recent poll of Wizards Play Network (WPN) local game stores, the Magic community's reception of Marvel Super Heroes is tepid at best.
In the poll, which was put out to WPN members by Wizards of the Coast, 42 percent of respondents say that their communities have had a "neutral" response to the set. 35 percent say the response has been positive while 16 percent say the set was negatively received by their players.
"It has been ok," says Magic Judge Daniel Crabtree, who runs events for stores in the Joplin, Mo., area. "Everyone here has moved on to The Hobbit, though LOL! The amount of product fatigue is real."
Brian Williams of Legacy Cards and Games in Victoria, Tex., echoes that sentiment of product fatigue.
"People are over Universes Beyond," he comments. "Not so much the IPs but the cost and overall disappointment in cards. The chase cards only in collectors boxes also hurts sales of play booster."
Tiffany Voss of Farmville Gathering Place in Farmville, Vir., says her players are simply looking ahead to other, non-Marvel releases, saying "Our customers are looking forward to Hobbit and Reality Fracture."
Not all WPN member game stores reported poor sales and player reception, however. Some stores, such as Blackbag Games in Farmington, NM, say sales have been good.
"Sales were fantastic," he says. "Best we've had."
Nick Barnes of Rune & Board in Beaverton, Ore., says his players have been rather accepting of the set.
"Reception has been better than expected, nut product fatigue continues to grow," he says.
Magic: The Gathering's next release will also be a Universes Beyond set. The Hobbit is scheduled to come out on Aug. 14 with its prerelease to take place on Aug. 7 through the 13th.
