On the weekend of PAX West 2025, Wizards of the Coast and Magic: The Gathering joined forces to present a dark panel brimming with fresh insights—and adversaries—regarding the eagerly awaited Spider-Man Universes Beyond set. The prior official unveiling, during a panel at San Diego Comic-Con 2025, provided fans with a glimpse behind the scenes at some of the card illustrations, featuring works from renowned Marvel comic book artists such as John Romita Sr., Steve Ditko, and Todd McFarlane.

The announcement highlighted a dominant group of villains: a coalition of six intent on eliminating Spider-Man for good. While there have been numerous versions of the Sinister Six throughout Marvel’s legacy, the version showcased in Magic: The Gathering emphasizes the original ensemble led by Dr. Octopus, first unveiled in The Amazing Spider-Man Annual No. 1 in 1964. Although Octavius was previously revealed at San Diego Comic-Con 2025, PAX West revealed the remainder of the team.

Before the Magic: The Gathering Spider-Man cards, art, and mechanics were disclosed, the lead design panel took the stage to introduce themselves. The four-member team behind the set expressed their passion for both comics and Magic: The Gathering, evident in card designs that bring New York’s iconic hero to the forefront of MTG.

The group includes Corey Bowen, senior game designer; Jadine Klomparens, principal game designer; and Sarah Wassell, senior art director. Leading the team is Mark Rosewater, Magic: The Gathering’s head designer for over three decades. Together, this blend of creative expertise crafted a set that not only respects Spider-Man’s legacy but also incorporates mechanics that seamlessly integrate into the game.

Magic: The Gathering Spider-Man Universes Beyond Mechanics

A key focus for the design team is that they stressed the card designs and functionalities are directly inspired by how these elements would manifest in Spider-Man comic panels, and that transition has been effortlessly adapted to the MTG tabletop. Both novel and returning features will be prominent throughout the set, with the newly revealed mechanics detailed below.

– Mayhem – This new keyword grants players the ability to cast a card from their graveyard (usually at a cost lower than the original mana value) if the card was discarded during the turn. While the newly introduced Green Goblin provides Mayhem to everything in the graveyard, it notably does not reduce the initial cost.

– Web-slinging – Another new keyword that operates similarly to Ninjutsu but with fewer requirements. Like Mayhem, the Web-slinging cost will almost invariably be less than the initial casting cost due to an added condition for casting. Players can cast a spell for its web-slinging cost by returning a tapped creature they control to their hand.

– Villain archetype – Although this category was previously present on cards like the Sonic the Hedgehog Secret Lair’s Dr. Eggman, it receives considerable expansion with bonuses in MTG Spider-Man Universes Beyond.

– Enchantment Saga – Enchantment Sagas make a comeback in Spider-Man, but this time the design team focused on making them resemble authentic comic panels, and as lore counters accumulate, the comic storyline progresses.

MTG Spider-Man Introduces A New Way To Play, The Pick-Two Draft

In addition to the Spider-Man card mechanics, Wizards of the Coast is unveiling a new gameplay format for Magic: The Gathering: the Pick Two Draft format. Similar to a conventional booster draft, each player commences with three booster packs. The twist is that in Pick Two, players always choose two cards from each booster pack instead of one before passing the pack to the next player.

In the first round, players open their initial booster and, after selecting two cards, pass the pack to their left. Once all cards from the first pack are drafted, players open the second booster, again choosing two at a time, but this time passing to the right. For the third and final pack, cards are passed once more to the left. At the conclusion of the draft, each player will possess the cards required to construct a 40-card deck, supplemented with basic lands.

Magic: The Gathering Spider-Man Bonus Sheet Unveiled!

Specialized treatments have dominated each MTG release, and the “Bonus Sheet” (featuring a selection of reprints from MTG, presented with new artwork) from MTG Final Fantasy showcased artwork drawn from years of illustrations, sketches, and concept art from the franchise’s history. The bonus sheet is marked by an expansion symbol distinct from the main set (the main set has SPM, while the bonus sheet has MAR), and it digs into Spider-Man’s history. Some of the most legendary moments in Spider-Man have been immortalized in Magic: The Gathering reprints, and all disclosed cards at PAX West 2025 can be viewed below.

I just finished my preview of CINDER CITY at Gamescom 2025, thanks to NVIDIA. Let me tell you, this girl hasn’t faced so many deaths in public, not to mention in front of an audience, but CINDER CITY definitely set me straight.

NCSOFT presented CINDER CITY, previously known as Project LLL, on the Gamescom showroom floor, but not before NVIDIA highlighted it at a private event showcasing DLSS 4 and the RTX 5090 GPUs. It was here that I managed to squeeze in around 20 minutes of hands-on gameplay, which included combat, looting, and a lot of dying. The experience began with a cutscene, and the game was rich in detail. The facial features and hair in the scene were astonishingly lifelike, displaying elements like wrinkles, blemishes, and under-eye bags with remarkable accuracy. The character faces were exceptionally realistic.

Following that, the player’s character is introduced as Seven. He seems to be a highly advanced soldier, equipped with multiple weapons and gear. Your commanding officer sends you off from an airship as a final effort. Seven appears to be the go-to choice when you need the task accomplished. In a comprehensive Iron Man-like suit, you’re launched from the ship into a realm populated by Knights, who are the foes you encounter.

“Let me tell you, this girl hasn’t faced so many deaths in public, not to mention in front of an audience, but CINDER CITY definitely set me straight.”

All the adversaries I faced were human, each with distinct abilities. However, the trailer hints at a lot more. During my brief play, I was targeted by several firearms, but I also noticed large shields I had to navigate around, smoke grenades, and seemingly frantic enemies waving their guns above their heads. In many shooters, I can rush in guns blazing, but CINDER CITY appears to necessitate a certain level of strategy, unless you enjoy frequently replaying from your last checkpoint…a lot.

Switching between your weapons is straightforward, just a roll of the scroll wheel, which allows for dynamic adjustments to your gameplay. Full disclosure, I’m more of a controller player, and the keyboard and mouse setup was a bit disorienting. With the capacity to throw grenades, utilize your knife, deploy special abilities, or switch weapons, there’s a lot to manage while dodging bullets from all sides. The keyboard controls mean many of these actions are assigned in ways that might not be comfortable for someone like me with smaller hands. Of course, this could be alleviated with a Naga or similar gaming mouse, but it’s worth considering.

“I’m concerned that CINDER CITY might be attempting to shove too much into one game.”

My primary issue involves the player’s posture while crouching. The visuals during this action seem quite unnatural and odd. While crouching should lower you closer to the ground, in CINDER CITY, it resembles more of a position between standing and squatting, and the movement in this stance feels minimal, almost like a shuffle. Combined, these aspects appear rather silly, to be honest, and detracted from an otherwise visually appealing experience.

Once more, judging by the trailer, I feel like I didn’t get a genuine glimpse of what CINDER CITY will ultimately be. Although I experienced a single mission and learned a bit about my capabilities and navigation, I’m eager to see more of the in-game experience further along in the narrative. With vehicular combat, adversaries ranging from mechs to zombie-like creatures in addition to the humans I fought, acid-spewing creatures, mechs—and…was that a face-hugger—I’m worried that CINDER CITY may be trying to fit too much into one title. The trailer doesn’t seem to align with the narrative I played, aside from a short clip from a cutscene, so I genuinely want to explore deeper and see how everything coalesces.

My encounter with CINDER CITY was brief but enjoyable, and I believe once I have some time to adjust, it could turn into an exhilarating shooter experience. After the demo, I found myself wanting to learn more about Seven and his significance, as well as how everything interconnects. A game that makes you eager to return is the ultimate achievement.

**Digital Content Production: A Pathway to Fame and Impact**

The realm of digital content production has transformed from a simple pastime into a legitimate career choice, launching creators into the limelight and considerably affecting consumer habits. With traditional advertising waning, content producers have risen as influential sales conduits, revolutionizing marketing tactics and consumer interactions.

**Understanding the Creator Economy**

The creator economy encompasses platforms like YouTube and DeviantArt, where individuals distribute and monetize their creations. Content producers build robust connections with their audiences, gaining trust and authority. This connection enables creators to capitalize on their influence, altering product views and driving sales through reviews and endorsements.

**Evolution of Marketing**

Brands tap into influencer fame, with creators frequently endorsing products organically or through paid partnerships. Authenticity is paramount, as consumers favor real voices over rehearsed advertisements. Creators within specialized niches can effortlessly blend promotions, focusing on targeted audiences. The supremacy of social media over conventional media further enhances the influence of creators on consumer choices.

**Creators’ Transparency and Disclosure**

Unrevealed influencer marketing has led to a wary consumer base. Openness is essential, as misleading tactics can tarnish credibility. Aspiring creators must reveal sponsorships to uphold trust and comply with regulations such as those from the FTC.

**Income Opportunities for New Content Creators**

Creators can generate revenue through various avenues, including selling digital items, providing exclusive content via subscriptions, and utilizing platforms like Patreon. Built-in monetization features and strategic alliances can unlock earning potential. Investing in high-quality equipment and content strategies is crucial for attracting sponsorships and cultivating a dedicated audience.

Content producers have become crucial in influencing consumer choices, with the creator economy presenting profitable prospects. Nevertheless, preserving integrity and partnering with reputable brands is essential for enduring success.