The Manaverse Podcast: Magic: the Gathering Business / Game Store Entrepreneurship / LGS Professionals Tom Traplin

Welcome to another episode of the Manaverse Podcast! In this episode, I sit down with Travis Severance, the co-owner of Millennium Games in Rochester, New York. Join us as we dive into Travis's incredible journey in the gaming industry, exploring the challenges he's faced and the strategies that have made Millennium Games the largest game store in the USA.
In this interview, we cover:
Travis's early passion for gaming and how his family's gaming habits influenced him.His unique career path, from professional poker and mortgages to owning a game store.The origin story and growth of Millennium Games, expanding from a small store to a 28,000 square foot gaming haven.The importance of diversity within product categories to handle market fluctuations.Strategies for creating a successful game store, including the significance of customer feedback and community building.The role of game stores in fostering a welcoming environment and adapting communication for new customers.Insights into balancing a strong online presence with the success of a brick-and-mortar store.Personal lessons and the importance of learning from mistakes in the business.
Links Mentioned:
Millennium Games TV on YouTube
Millennium Games and Travis on Facebook
https://www.facebook.com/MillenniumGames
https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100009368408612
Millennium Games on Instagram
Millennium Games on Twitter/X
Millennium Games on Twitch
Travis also shares his experiences from industry events like the ACD open house and GenCon trade day, offering invaluable insights for aspiring game store owners and gaming enthusiasts alike.
Don't miss this episode if you're looking to learn from one of the best in the business! Make sure to like, comment, and subscribe for more interviews and insights from the gaming industry. Enjoy the interview!

Andrew Johnson comes onto the podcast to talk about creating Manapool.com, a marketplace just for Magic cards. Learn about the hottest new marketplace for Magic players and local game store owners to buy and sell Magic singles, and how Andrew and his team of co-founders and building a great solution for the Magic community.
Sign up for a Manapool.com account and get 0% seller fees for 6 months plus cash rebates.

Welcome to another episode of the Manaverse Podcast! My name is Tom Traplin and I am your host and this is the podcast where we talk about building successful friendly local game stores. Today, we’re talking with Michael Bahr, the mind behind the LGS Net Income newsletter and former owner of Desert Sky Games in Arizona. 
Michael relatively recently sold DSG to another game store owner, and I say relatively because I’ve been sitting on this recording for way too long, but we dive into what it takes to build a game store into a sellable asset. The processes and systems that you need to have in place to create a business that not only functions without you, but also gives you the opportunity to potentially exit the business profitably and on your own terms. 
It’s an excellent conversation, and if you want more of a backstage pass look into the operational side of a local game store I definitely recommend signing up for the LGSNI Substack. I’m a member and Michael’s insights into the crunchy, data driven aspects of the business are tremendously valuable. You can go to manaversesaga.com/lgsni to sign up. I’m not affiliated or anything with the newsletter, but I am a big fan, so check it out!
Before we jump into the conversation, I’ve also got a fairly big announcement to make as well. 
As of today, I am officially a co-founding member of the 2nd Hand Geek team! I’m coming on as the CMO for 2nd Hand Geek and together we are going to build a marketplace that truly supports the local game stores that are the heart of the hobbies we all love.
If you haven’t heard of 2nd Hand Geek yet, check out my interview with Alan Blakeborough in episode 138, to find out more about what it’s all about. 
I am very excited about the future of 2nd Hand Geek and how it will change the way hobbyists buy and sell online, while also giving back and supporting the local game stores that built up those communities of gamers that make everything possible in the first place.
LinksLGS Net Income
MVP138
2ndHandGeek.com

In this episode of the Manaverse Podcast, I interview Marcus Kearsey, a game designer for the Altered TCG team. We discuss the unique aspects of Altered TCG, including its non-combat focus, digital integration, and innovative deck-building mechanics. Kearsey shares his journey into game design, the challenges and rewards of developing a new TCG, and how player feedback shapes the game. They delve into the game's lore, art, and future plans, including organized play and competitive aspects. The episode offers a deep dive into the creative process behind Altered TCG.
Questions:What initially inspired the concept of Altered, and how has it evolved from its original idea?
Can you share insights into the creative process behind the game's unique blend of lore and visual design, especially with influences from Miyazaki and Dixit-like illustrations?
What challenges did you face in creating a balanced yet engaging gameplay experience in Altered?
Could you elaborate on how the game’s unique rarity system and algorithmically generated cards impact both gameplay and player strategy?
How did you approach the lore creation for the six factions in Altered? What inspired their distinct characteristics and stories?
Can you delve into the process of integrating the game's lore with its mechanics and card design?
What does a typical day look like for you as a game designer on Altered?
How do you balance creativity with the technical aspects of game design?
In what ways has player feedback shaped the development of Altered?
What future expansions or developments can players look forward to in the Altered universe?
How do you envision the growth of Altered in the competitive TCG scene?
What have been some of the most challenging aspects of developing Altered, and how did you overcome them?
Can you share a particularly rewarding moment or milestone in the game’s journey so far?
What advice would you give to someone aspiring to enter the field of game design, especially in the TCG genre?
How has working on Altered influenced your personal views on game design and storytelling?
If you could go back to the beginning of the Altered project, is there anything you would do differently?
Check out the Altered TCG Kickstarter campaign!
https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/equinox-studio/altered-tcg
Book a 30 minute strategy session with us to get your game store digital marketing plan created for free. It's yours to keep either way so you have nothing to lose. Go to https://manaversesaga.com/mma to book your call and start off 2024 strong.

Welcome to another exciting episode of our podcast! Today, we dive deep into the world of gaming retail with Joshua Pyle-Carter from The Deck Box. Joshua shares his incredible journey of building a successful gaming store from scratch. We explore how The Deck Box has created a community-centric environment, offering a personalized client service that goes beyond just selling products.
You'll hear about the innovative strategies in inventory management, pricing, and staff empowerment that have contributed to the store's success. Joshua also sheds light on the future plans for The Deck Box, including balancing online and in-store sales and maintaining a profitable margin to support community events.
This episode is a must-listen for anyone interested in gaming retail, community building, or just loves a good success story. Tune in for insights and inspiration from a gaming retail expert!
Linkshttps://www.thedeckboxhalifax.com/
https://www.facebook.com/DeckBoxHalifax
https://www.instagram.com/thedeckboxhalifax/

In Part 4 of my interview, Joshua Pyle-Carter digs into the future plans for The Deck Box, with their 10-year anniversary quickly approaching this summer.
Josh talks about the balance between online and in-store sales, stressing that each requires a vastly different approach and business model, and why he favours the local first approach for his community.
Book a 30 minute strategy session with us to get your game store digital marketing plan created for free. It's yours to keep either way so you have nothing to lose. Go to https://manaversesaga.com/mma to book your call and start off 2024 strong.