MAGIC: THE GATHERING BUSINESS PLAN (1993)

Below are copies of the major elements of the Garfield Games subscriber package, distributed by Peter Adkison to potential investors in Garfield Games in 1993 to raise capital to publish Magic: The Gathering (at that time still titled Mana Flash). These elements are (1) a cover letter from Peter Adkison, (2) the Garfield Games Business Plan, and (3) a mock-up showing six sample cards. Other elements of the subscriber package, pictured at the end but not shown in full, are a draft of the game rules, the stock structure and offering summary, a summary of bylaws and articles of incorporation, a stock subscription agreement, an art show invitation, and Peter Adkison's business card.

It is striking how foresightful the business plan was and how accurate it turned out to be. It is also extremely well-written and carefully edited. All great success requires a little bit of luck, but you can see from the plan that the vast majority of the success of Magic and Wizards of the Coast was due to a thorough understanding of the market, a conscious effort to create a new product category within the market, and good execution where it really mattered.