Controversy Surrounding MTG Arena’s New Microtransactions

The arrival of Modern Horizons 3 on MTG Arena has been highly anticipated by the player base of Magic: The Gathering. The cards from this set have gained immense popularity in physical Magic, and soon Arena players will have the chance to use them as well.

Despite this, Modern Horizons 3’s launch may be overshadowed by the inclusion of exclusive rewards that are only available to players who make a payment.

MTG Arena has consistently operated on a monetization model, requiring players to purchase Gems in order to acquire digital card packs, cosmetic items, draft unlocks, and additional features.

Although online TCG platforms often incorporate some form of monetization, it is important to approach any additional methods of encouraging players to spend money with caution. The issue facing MTG Arena players in anticipation of Modern Horizons 3 is centered around a newly introduced feature known as Psychic Frog’s Horizon Hideaway.

Horizons Hideaway arena official Wizards screenshot — WotC

Aside from its charming name, this additional tab in MTG Arena’s in-game storefront serves as an alternative to purchasing a Mastery pass, as the current Outlaws of Thunder Junction Mastery Pass is still available for purchase.

The Hideaway appears to be equipped with a variety of impressive features, including the option for players to obtain packs, cosmetics, and other rewards. However, what sets this prize-filled package apart from MTG Arena’s standard Mastery Pass is its lack of a free track.

The Mastery Pass system effectively motivates players to purchase the premium pass by prominently displaying its rewards, but at least the free version of the pass still offers rewards as well.

Obtaining tickets for the hideaway, which is the in-game currency used to unlock its rewards, is possible through regular Arena gameplay. It is fortunate that they can be accumulated quickly. However, players who have the Mastery Pass will not be able to use this currency unless they pay 2800 Gems to unlock the Hideaway.

To add insult to injury, this set amount cannot be easily purchased with cash, making the Gem-based unlock an unfortunate requirement. The cost of the Hideaway is not equivalent to any individual bundle of Gems available in the store, resulting in players having to purchase multiple sets of Gems in order to obtain the Hideaway’s benefits.

Some players on the MTG Arena subreddit are expressing their dissatisfaction with the Hideaway feature, with a few even labeling it as “predatory.”

As pointed out by the original commenter, it is frustrating to constantly earn currency that cannot be used. Every few minutes, a reminder appears to remind you of this fact.

Another user also chimed in, stating, “I concur that the frequent notifications about earning currency that cannot be used without making a lump sum payment are distasteful.”

While Commander may hold the top spot among in-person formats in MTG, Arena continues to be a haven for beloved formats such as Standard, offering a diverse range of gameplay options that are becoming scarce in paper Magic.

Surprisingly, Arena does not support the Modern format, meaning that players will have to utilize the cards from this set in other well-known formats such as Standard and Historic.

Although Modern Horizons 3’s release on MTG Arena should be a time to celebrate the set’s fantastic Limited experience, it is disappointing to see early excitement hindered by the addition of unfriendly microtransactions.