Company case study
Magic
The Gathering
Magic is a collectible card game created by mathematician Richard Garfield, where players use decks of cards to battle against each other. It came up on My First Million, hosted by Sam Parr and Shaan Puri, in the episode "We found the internet's best sales advice" (aired August 4, 2026).
At a glance
| Podcast | My First Million |
|---|---|
| Hosted by | Sam Parr and Shaan Puri |
| Episode | We found the internet's best sales advice |
| Aired | August 4, 2026 |
| Revenue and traction | $2 billion in revenue projected for the year, with average players spending about $100 a year over several years. |
| Category | E-commerce |
Figures and claims are as told on the episode, summarized from the transcript. Check the date: they describe the company at the time it aired.
What the episode said
We found the internet's best sales advice · aired August 4, 2026 · hosted by Sam Parr and Shaan Puri
Why it works
The game's model allows for a vast collection of cards that players can collect, trade, and use, creating a sense of ownership and investment in the game.
Founding story
Richard Garfield initially created a game called Five Magics, which did not succeed. He later developed Magic: The Gathering, inspired by his childhood experiences playing games that involved collection and competition.
The playbook
The game was introduced with a focus on playtesting and targeting influential players to build early adoption. The scarcity of cards also drove demand and created an economy around card trading.
Also mentioned
Magic: The Gathering has been compounding at an average of 17% a year for 17 years and is considered a significant cash cow for Hasbro, which acquired it for approximately $300 million.