this should bring a sigh of relief that the Secret lair cards that are UB will be functionally reprinted in Magic form which can be found on “the list” (yes aware only 25% pull rate from that) but however they will be more likely to pull in the list, and they will stay inside till the request/popularity is gone.
and if even better if the popular is really really high they may appear as reprints in MTG sets and yes in MTG form not UB form
EDIT: bad news is TWD probably wont get hit by this
so is it the perfect solution, no but it’s a step in the right direction for a couple reasons.
1. Sort of Kills the second reserve list theory
2. It’s in the form as if from the MTG universe and not a outside IP (still need this fix for the UB sets and commander decks though)
3. Makes these card more accessible for everyone who’s on a budget in the universe they prefer.
So it took them *checks date* eights months since the release of the Walking Dead Secret Lair to finally come up with a solution to not only those cards, but also Magic versions of them when six months before that the solution already existed with the Godzilla versions of cards. So it took them 14 months to find a solution that already existed to a problem that didn't need to exist in the first place. By pushing this idea out they are acting like they fixed something when in reality what they did is ignore the actual previous solution.
Is this a solution? Yes. Is there any reason why the base card(s) need to be from another franchise rather than it being a Magic card first? No.
Them putting these in the list is honestly, what I think is, them looking to push set boosters more and likely trying to get rid of draft boosters. It's far better for them to sell packs that cost $6-$7 rather than $4. It's also them showing they are not 100% confident in UB if they're going "you can find these elsewhere in product you'll probably actually buy" though you'd have to open a ton of them to do so.
I don't know how easily this kills the "Crossover Reserved List", most definitely damages the idea of it at least, as they won't be tossing in every UB card in there and it will take a lot of time to go through them all. With how hard it is for them to reprint some cards, like fetch lands, I bet the same issue will arise for the more expensive UB cards that end up as Vintage/Legacy staples. "Sorry, we're not reprinting Kermit or the Red Stapler any time soon." This is evident by them saying they can't do it for The Walking Dead SL, likely because the contract made up didn't include that, shows we do still have the "Crossover Reserved List" already.
On a personal note I'm still not going to enjoy the Magic version of a card technically being based on UB card, while artistically it may be better, I will still get to look down and go "Oh, this is actually Gandalf (or Mickey Mouse) I'm playing with" and I still do not want that.
Quote from From the Article »
This upcoming Universes Beyond Secret Lair (it's worth the wait to hear about, we swear)
So confident in it that they have to add in a "we swear it's good" is almost pathetic on their part.
Them putting these in the list is honestly, what I think is, them looking to push set boosters more and likely trying to get rid of draft boosters.
They won't get rid of draft boosters. Limited is a big enough part of Magic that the monetary losses would be significant. If even a product like MH2 is designed to be drafted, then drafting is just too much of a moneymaker to get rid of.
Them putting these in the list is honestly, what I think is, them looking to push set boosters more and likely trying to get rid of draft boosters.
They won't get rid of draft boosters. Limited is a big enough part of Magic that the monetary losses would be significant. If even a product like MH2 is designed to be drafted, then drafting is just too much of a moneymaker to get rid of.
Them decreasing the quantity of draft boosters with Strixhaven proves they are okay with less of them though. Then there's the rumor that MH2 will have less draft boosters as well, but we'll see if that rumor is true in a bit.
Them putting these in the list is honestly, what I think is, them looking to push set boosters more and likely trying to get rid of draft boosters.
They won't get rid of draft boosters. Limited is a big enough part of Magic that the monetary losses would be significant. If even a product like MH2 is designed to be drafted, then drafting is just too much of a moneymaker to get rid of.
Them decreasing the quantity of draft boosters with Strixhaven proves they are okay with less of them though. Then there's the rumor that MH2 will have less draft boosters as well, but we'll see if that rumor is true in a bit.
If people buy set boosters that's gonna shift some volume that way. There's not a shortage of draft boosters as far as I can tell and neither of those products is a limited print run, so it's not like people are being forced to buy set boosters to get their cards.
Anyway, I'd say this is a step in the right direction. Hopefully we can get something similar for the non secret lair products too.
If people buy set boosters that's gonna shift some volume that way. There's not a shortage of draft boosters as far as I can tell and neither of those products is a limited print run, so it's not like people are being forced to buy set boosters to get their cards.
No, they are not forced to, but them adding more incentives to set boosters can be taken as either them not selling well (wouldn't be surprised by this, they do feel a bit redundant) or they are doing well and they want them to do even better to shift away from draft packs.
Anyway, I'd say this is a step in the right direction. Hopefully we can get something similar for the non secret lair products too.
It is most definitely a step in the right direction, when it comes to their willingness to reprint UB. My issue is why it took them so long to make this announcement or not think of this sooner. The answer already existed, either with reprints or the Godzilla format, and yet it seemed they wanted to stick with the FOMO idea many gacha/AAA video games stick with nowadays.
Perhaps they got some research that did not bode well for UB or even the game in the long run with previous policies.
Them putting these in the list is honestly, what I think is, them looking to push set boosters more and likely trying to get rid of draft boosters.
They won't get rid of draft boosters. Limited is a big enough part of Magic that the monetary losses would be significant. If even a product like MH2 is designed to be drafted, then drafting is just too much of a moneymaker to get rid of.
Them decreasing the quantity of draft boosters with Strixhaven proves they are okay with less of them though. Then there's the rumor that MH2 will have less draft boosters as well, but we'll see if that rumor is true in a bit.
Draft booster print runs have gone down because it's the pandemic and no one is drafting in person, so Wizards can get away with less draft boosters. With how big Limited is, this will not last for very long.
Draft booster print runs have gone down because it's the pandemic and no one is drafting in person, so Wizards can get away with less draft boosters. With how big Limited is, this will not last for very long.
But that didn't happen with M21, Ikoria, Zendikar, Double Masters, Jumpstart, Commander Legends, or Kaldheim. Yes, Core Set and Ikoria shipping out was fudged up due to the pandemic, but a full year after the pandemic started they start doing it? Also, people also buy them just to open, not necessarily to draft.
Draft booster print runs have gone down because it's the pandemic and no one is drafting in person, so Wizards can get away with less draft boosters. With how big Limited is, this will not last for very long.
But that didn't happen with M21, Ikoria, Zendikar, Double Masters, Jumpstart, Commander Legends, or Kaldheim. Yes, Core Set and Ikoria shipping out was fudged up due to the pandemic, but a full year after the pandemic started they start doing it? Also, people also buy them just to open, not necessarily to draft.
Hey Mark, My LGS is currently concerned about the lack of Draft boosters that they have been able to order for recent sets. Can you please assuage our fears that Wizards is phasing out draft boosters? I personally don't enjoy set/collector boosters, because I don't like opening packs without drafting them (not to mention those boosters have cards I can't get in draft boosters, which is an entirely separate complaint).
Strixhaven’s draft booster shortage was a combination of trying to gauge set booster reaction during a pandemic along with COVID-related printing issues. We have taken steps to adjust the percentage.
Draft booster print runs have gone down because it's the pandemic and no one is drafting in person, so Wizards can get away with less draft boosters. With how big Limited is, this will not last for very long.
But that didn't happen with M21, Ikoria, Zendikar, Double Masters, Jumpstart, Commander Legends, or Kaldheim. Yes, Core Set and Ikoria shipping out was fudged up due to the pandemic, but a full year after the pandemic started they start doing it? Also, people also buy them just to open, not necessarily to draft.
We also didn't have set boosters until Zendikar 3 this last fall.
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Hey Mark, My LGS is currently concerned about the lack of Draft boosters that they have been able to order for recent sets. Can you please assuage our fears that Wizards is phasing out draft boosters? I personally don't enjoy set/collector boosters, because I don't like opening packs without drafting them (not to mention those boosters have cards I can't get in draft boosters, which is an entirely separate complaint).
Strixhaven’s draft booster shortage was a combination of trying to gauge set booster reaction during a pandemic along with COVID-related printing issues. We have taken steps to adjust the percentage.
And look at that, part of it came from their focus on a new product. As for the Covid related issues it was a year in, every business should have had that figured out, many did within two months with little issues. If it didn't exist, or focused on, more draft packs would have been made. We've seen them turning focus away from draft packs as we've gotten two new boosters they want to push in the last two years (collectors and set, and more so now with set). They have increasingly wanted people to buy less draft packs, but more of the new expensive stuff. It's no surprise a business wants you to spend more on the pricier products.
Not including TWD cards is quite odd here, as if they are given completely new art and wording would have no connection to the IP, so I doubt licensing would have a play in not redoing them.
Not including TWD cards is quite odd here, as if they are given completely new art and wording would have no connection to the IP, so I doubt licensing would have a play in not redoing them.
You'd be surprised how weird licensing can be. I play one gacha game where they can't even upgrade a character because the licensing only included what was initially agreed on. It likely has some stipulation to not be included in boosters or something and they'd have to license the TWD later if they want to do do, which would cost more money every time they want to do so.
This is part of the reason the UB Reserved List is a likely thing even with this solution.
So it took them *checks date* eights months since the release of the Walking Dead Secret Lair to finally come up with a solution to not only those cards, but also Magic versions of them when six months before that the solution already existed with the Godzilla versions of cards. So it took them 14 months to find a solution that already existed to a problem that didn't need to exist in the first place. By pushing this idea out they are acting like they fixed something when in reality what they did is ignore the actual previous solution.
Is this a solution? Yes. Is there any reason why the base card(s) need to be from another franchise rather than it being a Magic card first? No.
Them putting these in the list is honestly, what I think is, them looking to push set boosters more and likely trying to get rid of draft boosters. It's far better for them to sell packs that cost $6-$7 rather than $4. It's also them showing they are not 100% confident in UB if they're going "you can find these elsewhere in product you'll probably actually buy" though you'd have to open a ton of them to do so.
I don't know how easily this kills the "Crossover Reserved List", most definitely damages the idea of it at least, as they won't be tossing in every UB card in there and it will take a lot of time to go through them all. With how hard it is for them to reprint some cards, like fetch lands, I bet the same issue will arise for the more expensive UB cards that end up as Vintage/Legacy staples. "Sorry, we're not reprinting Kermit or the Red Stapler any time soon." This is evident by them saying they can't do it for The Walking Dead SL, likely because the contract made up didn't include that, shows we do still have the "Crossover Reserved List" already.
On a personal note I'm still not going to enjoy the Magic version of a card technically being based on UB card, while artistically it may be better, I will still get to look down and go "Oh, this is actually Gandalf (or Mickey Mouse) I'm playing with" and I still do not want that.
Quote from From the Article »
This upcoming Universes Beyond Secret Lair (it's worth the wait to hear about, we swear)
So confident in it that they have to add in a "we swear it's good" is almost pathetic on their part.
If people buy set boosters that's gonna shift some volume that way. There's not a shortage of draft boosters as far as I can tell and neither of those products is a limited print run, so it's not like people are being forced to buy set boosters to get their cards.
No, they are not forced to, but them adding more incentives to set boosters can be taken as either them not selling well (wouldn't be surprised by this, they do feel a bit redundant) or they are doing well and they want them to do even better to shift away from draft packs.
Anyway, I'd say this is a step in the right direction. Hopefully we can get something similar for the non secret lair products too.
It is most definitely a step in the right direction, when it comes to their willingness to reprint UB. My issue is why it took them so long to make this announcement or not think of this sooner. The answer already existed, either with reprints or the Godzilla format, and yet it seemed they wanted to stick with the FOMO idea many gacha/AAA video games stick with nowadays.
Perhaps they got some research that did not bode well for UB or even the game in the long run with previous policies.
Hey Mark, My LGS is currently concerned about the lack of Draft boosters that they have been able to order for recent sets. Can you please assuage our fears that Wizards is phasing out draft boosters? I personally don't enjoy set/collector boosters, because I don't like opening packs without drafting them (not to mention those boosters have cards I can't get in draft boosters, which is an entirely separate complaint).
Strixhaven’s draft booster shortage was a combination of trying to gauge set booster reaction during a pandemic along with COVID-related printing issues. We have taken steps to adjust the percentage.
And look at that, part of it came from their focus on a new product. As for the Covid related issues it was a year in, every business should have had that figured out, many did within two months with little issues. If it didn't exist, or focused on, more draft packs would have been made. We've seen them turning focus away from draft packs as we've gotten two new boosters they want to push in the last two years (collectors and set, and more so now with set). They have increasingly wanted people to buy less draft packs, but more of the new expensive stuff. It's no surprise a business wants you to spend more on the pricier products.
Not including TWD cards is quite odd here, as if they are given completely new art and wording would have no connection to the IP, so I doubt licensing would have a play in not redoing them.
You'd be surprised how weird licensing can be. I play one gacha game where they can't even upgrade a character because the licensing only included what was initially agreed on. It likely has some stipulation to not be included in boosters or something and they'd have to license the TWD later if they want to do do, which would cost more money every time they want to do so.
This is part of the reason the UB Reserved List is a likely thing even with this solution.
Set boosters do serve multiple purposes. Opening booster packs is fun. Id assume no one seriously disputes that point at all. Set boosters are an attempt to make the opening of boosters even more fun just for the sake of opening them. They can even include cards you don't want in limited, just like you can insert cards into commander decks you wouldn't want in limited, but those are limited on how strong in constructed you can make them without creating a deck scalping problem.
So, basically there's literally no solution other than I don't like this so I don't want anyone else to have it that would really make you happy.
If they really wanted to go fear of missing out, they would do something like a secret lair with an exclusive 4 damage lightning bolt or something obviously overpowered. Instead, they printed a bunch of neat but niche cards that likely aren't seriously competitive.
Godzilla solution is completely unreasonable. It would require concepting twice, thousands of cards that will never be reprinted with the new concepting because no one even wants the thing. It's perfectly reasonable to reconcept select cards or a limted run secret lair, but you're talking about thousands of wasted names and stuff for every shock, hill giant, diviniation, etc. The other alternative of only using pre existing Magic cards is equally as bad because it runs into the exact problem Godzilla had to begin with. The cards don't fit Godzilla well and are simply shoehorned in as badly as O-Kagachi or ludevic into commander decks.
My question is - how are they going to implement this if they don't include "Magic universe" names on the ub cards. Will there be a curated list you have to cross reference? What about cards that should just be reprinted (eg shock) and not have a new functionally identical card in the ub? I truly feel the ideal solution would be introduction of new formats (standard with and without ub, commander with and without, etc). Heck, people may even desire a reserve list format where you never know if wotc will acquire licensing to reprint Gandalf. We still have a slew of almost reserve list cards - concordant Crossroads hasn't been reprinted since chronicles for little reason besides breaking color pie and having a weird enchant world subtype. Reserve list gives no hope of reprinting - a tricky intellectual property gives a glimmer of hope and may keep those cards in the less than insane price range.
Not including TWD cards is quite odd here, as if they are given completely new art and wording would have no connection to the IP, so I doubt licensing would have a play in not redoing them.
You'd be surprised how weird licensing can be. I play one gacha game where they can't even upgrade a character because the licensing only included what was initially agreed on. It likely has some stipulation to not be included in boosters or something and they'd have to license the TWD later if they want to do do, which would cost more money every time they want to do so.
This is part of the reason the UB Reserved List is a likely thing even with this solution.
They've stated explicitly (or at least MaRo has) that the TWD cards can be printed as in-universe equivalents. Why they are not included in this update is unclear and quite a shame.
Edit: not to mention that they generally consider the original reserved list a big (if not their biggest) mistake.
This would've sufficed if they only did UB in Secret Lairs. But it doesn't address the "no Magic universe equivalent" issue for cards in the upcoming UB sets. I doubt they're very keen on "fixing" this since it would mean a lot of extra work. But for me, this step alone isn't enough to get me back into MtG.
Not including TWD cards is quite odd here, as if they are given completely new art and wording would have no connection to the IP, so I doubt licensing would have a play in not redoing them.
You'd be surprised how weird licensing can be. I play one gacha game where they can't even upgrade a character because the licensing only included what was initially agreed on. It likely has some stipulation to not be included in boosters or something and they'd have to license the TWD later if they want to do do, which would cost more money every time they want to do so.
This is part of the reason the UB Reserved List is a likely thing even with this solution.
They've stated explicitly (or at least MaRo has) that the TWD cards can be printed as in-universe equivalents. Why they are not included in this update is unclear and quite a shame.
Edit: not to mention that they generally consider the original reserved list a big (if not their biggest) mistake.
They're probably grandfathered into something (promissory estoppel, reserved list, etc).
However, the article says that they won't apply this particular plan to the Walking Dead cards, so maybe they'll still be reprinted as in-universe cards. Just not as outlined in the article.
They've stated explicitly (or at least MaRo has) that the TWD cards can be printed as in-universe equivalents. Why they are not included in this update is unclear and quite a shame.
Likely licensing issues. Every year they have to renew it if they want to keep using it, likely even with Magic versions as the characters name would appear on it (if they do Godzilla template with the "real name" being below the fake name.) They probably didn't renew that license this year, and if they do want to use it it will likely show up next year, if they do want to make Magic versions of TWD.
Here's another card that's not being mentioned. Zilortha, Strength Incarnate, we still don't have the actual Magic card for it, even though we actually know the name of the card. We're past a year at this point of this card existing and no sign of it.
Edit: not to mention that they generally consider the original reserved list a big (if not their biggest) mistake.
They say it is, but the way they act about it kind of contradicts that. Like when they added foils to the reserved list, which originally they could reprint foils of them.
This would've sufficed if they only did UB in Secret Lairs. But it doesn't address the "no Magic universe equivalent" issue for cards in the upcoming UB sets. I doubt they're very keen on "fixing" this since it would mean a lot of extra work. But for me, this step alone isn't enough to get me back into MtG.
This fix is more of a side step, personally. It doesn't fix that we will have hundreds of UB cards that will need Magic versions. At some point we'll just have a Magic set dedicated to UB cards and giving them Magic versions.
Of course the simplest solution to UB is to not do it or make them silver bordered.
They've stated explicitly (or at least MaRo has) that the TWD cards can be printed as in-universe equivalents. Why they are not included in this update is unclear and quite a shame.
Likely licensing issues. Every year they have to renew it if they want to keep using it, likely even with Magic versions as the characters name would appear on it (if they do Godzilla template with the "real name" being below the fake name.) They probably didn't renew that license this year, and if they do want to use it it will likely show up next year, if they do want to make Magic versions of TWD.
Here's another card that's not being mentioned. Zilortha, Strength Incarnate, we still don't have the actual Magic card for it, even though we actually know the name of the card. We're past a year at this point of this card existing and no sign of it.
Edit: not to mention that they generally consider the original reserved list a big (if not their biggest) mistake.
They say it is, but the way they act about it kind of contradicts that. Like when they added foils to the reserved list, which originally they could reprint foils of them.
That seems like a weird agreement. They'd be using only their own IP, on a card which they designed in their system. And no one at Wizards has said "Oh, we can't do that because of the licensing agreement," even though that would be a straightforward and simple explanation if it were true.
The reason they added foils was because they were actively seeking to circumvent the reserved list and people got mad. It was fallout from Wizards clearly demonstrating their dislike of it.
Edit: not to mention that they generally consider the original reserved list a big (if not their biggest) mistake.
They say it is, but the way they act about it kind of contradicts that. Like when they added foils to the reserved list, which originally they could reprint foils of them.
The reason they added foils was because they were actively seeking to circumvent the reserved list and people got mad. It was fallout from Wizards clearly demonstrating their dislike of it.
this should bring a sigh of relief that the Secret lair cards that are UB will be functionally reprinted in Magic form which can be found on “the list” (yes aware only 25% pull rate from that) but however they will be more likely to pull in the list, and they will stay inside till the request/popularity is gone.
and if even better if the popular is really really high they may appear as reprints in MTG sets and yes in MTG form not UB form
EDIT: bad news is TWD probably wont get hit by this
so is it the perfect solution, no but it’s a step in the right direction for a couple reasons.
1. Sort of Kills the second reserve list theory
2. It’s in the form as if from the MTG universe and not a outside IP (still need this fix for the UB sets and commander decks though)
3. Makes these card more accessible for everyone who’s on a budget in the universe they prefer.
|| UW Jace, Vyn's Prodigy UW || UG Kenessos, Priest of Thassa (feat. Arixmethes) UG ||
Cards I still want to see created:
|| Olantin, Lost City || Pavios and Thanasis || Choryu ||
Additionally, an UB Secret Lair will be in an upcoming super drop, which should be soon.
Is this a solution? Yes. Is there any reason why the base card(s) need to be from another franchise rather than it being a Magic card first? No.
Them putting these in the list is honestly, what I think is, them looking to push set boosters more and likely trying to get rid of draft boosters. It's far better for them to sell packs that cost $6-$7 rather than $4. It's also them showing they are not 100% confident in UB if they're going "you can find these elsewhere in product you'll probably actually buy" though you'd have to open a ton of them to do so.
I don't know how easily this kills the "Crossover Reserved List", most definitely damages the idea of it at least, as they won't be tossing in every UB card in there and it will take a lot of time to go through them all. With how hard it is for them to reprint some cards, like fetch lands, I bet the same issue will arise for the more expensive UB cards that end up as Vintage/Legacy staples. "Sorry, we're not reprinting Kermit or the Red Stapler any time soon." This is evident by them saying they can't do it for The Walking Dead SL, likely because the contract made up didn't include that, shows we do still have the "Crossover Reserved List" already.
On a personal note I'm still not going to enjoy the Magic version of a card technically being based on UB card, while artistically it may be better, I will still get to look down and go "Oh, this is actually Gandalf (or Mickey Mouse) I'm playing with" and I still do not want that.
So confident in it that they have to add in a "we swear it's good" is almost pathetic on their part.
They won't get rid of draft boosters. Limited is a big enough part of Magic that the monetary losses would be significant. If even a product like MH2 is designed to be drafted, then drafting is just too much of a moneymaker to get rid of.
Them decreasing the quantity of draft boosters with Strixhaven proves they are okay with less of them though. Then there's the rumor that MH2 will have less draft boosters as well, but we'll see if that rumor is true in a bit.
If people buy set boosters that's gonna shift some volume that way. There's not a shortage of draft boosters as far as I can tell and neither of those products is a limited print run, so it's not like people are being forced to buy set boosters to get their cards.
Anyway, I'd say this is a step in the right direction. Hopefully we can get something similar for the non secret lair products too.
No, they are not forced to, but them adding more incentives to set boosters can be taken as either them not selling well (wouldn't be surprised by this, they do feel a bit redundant) or they are doing well and they want them to do even better to shift away from draft packs.
It is most definitely a step in the right direction, when it comes to their willingness to reprint UB. My issue is why it took them so long to make this announcement or not think of this sooner. The answer already existed, either with reprints or the Godzilla format, and yet it seemed they wanted to stick with the FOMO idea many gacha/AAA video games stick with nowadays.
Perhaps they got some research that did not bode well for UB or even the game in the long run with previous policies.
But that didn't happen with M21, Ikoria, Zendikar, Double Masters, Jumpstart, Commander Legends, or Kaldheim. Yes, Core Set and Ikoria shipping out was fudged up due to the pandemic, but a full year after the pandemic started they start doing it? Also, people also buy them just to open, not necessarily to draft.
We also didn't have set boosters until Zendikar 3 this last fall.
"You can tell how dumb someone is by how they use Mary Sue"
And look at that, part of it came from their focus on a new product. As for the Covid related issues it was a year in, every business should have had that figured out, many did within two months with little issues. If it didn't exist, or focused on, more draft packs would have been made. We've seen them turning focus away from draft packs as we've gotten two new boosters they want to push in the last two years (collectors and set, and more so now with set). They have increasingly wanted people to buy less draft packs, but more of the new expensive stuff. It's no surprise a business wants you to spend more on the pricier products.
You'd be surprised how weird licensing can be. I play one gacha game where they can't even upgrade a character because the licensing only included what was initially agreed on. It likely has some stipulation to not be included in boosters or something and they'd have to license the TWD later if they want to do do, which would cost more money every time they want to do so.
This is part of the reason the UB Reserved List is a likely thing even with this solution.
Set boosters do serve multiple purposes. Opening booster packs is fun. Id assume no one seriously disputes that point at all. Set boosters are an attempt to make the opening of boosters even more fun just for the sake of opening them. They can even include cards you don't want in limited, just like you can insert cards into commander decks you wouldn't want in limited, but those are limited on how strong in constructed you can make them without creating a deck scalping problem.
So, basically there's literally no solution other than I don't like this so I don't want anyone else to have it that would really make you happy.
If they really wanted to go fear of missing out, they would do something like a secret lair with an exclusive 4 damage lightning bolt or something obviously overpowered. Instead, they printed a bunch of neat but niche cards that likely aren't seriously competitive.
Godzilla solution is completely unreasonable. It would require concepting twice, thousands of cards that will never be reprinted with the new concepting because no one even wants the thing. It's perfectly reasonable to reconcept select cards or a limted run secret lair, but you're talking about thousands of wasted names and stuff for every shock, hill giant, diviniation, etc. The other alternative of only using pre existing Magic cards is equally as bad because it runs into the exact problem Godzilla had to begin with. The cards don't fit Godzilla well and are simply shoehorned in as badly as O-Kagachi or ludevic into commander decks.
They've stated explicitly (or at least MaRo has) that the TWD cards can be printed as in-universe equivalents. Why they are not included in this update is unclear and quite a shame.
Edit: not to mention that they generally consider the original reserved list a big (if not their biggest) mistake.
They're probably grandfathered into something (promissory estoppel, reserved list, etc).
However, the article says that they won't apply this particular plan to the Walking Dead cards, so maybe they'll still be reprinted as in-universe cards. Just not as outlined in the article.
Likely licensing issues. Every year they have to renew it if they want to keep using it, likely even with Magic versions as the characters name would appear on it (if they do Godzilla template with the "real name" being below the fake name.) They probably didn't renew that license this year, and if they do want to use it it will likely show up next year, if they do want to make Magic versions of TWD.
Here's another card that's not being mentioned. Zilortha, Strength Incarnate, we still don't have the actual Magic card for it, even though we actually know the name of the card. We're past a year at this point of this card existing and no sign of it.
They say it is, but the way they act about it kind of contradicts that. Like when they added foils to the reserved list, which originally they could reprint foils of them.
This fix is more of a side step, personally. It doesn't fix that we will have hundreds of UB cards that will need Magic versions. At some point we'll just have a Magic set dedicated to UB cards and giving them Magic versions.
Of course the simplest solution to UB is to not do it or make them silver bordered.
But why not Walking Dead?
MaRo: One more time. We’re waiting to see how this new process goes over. Us doing this with Walking Dead is not off the table.
https://markrosewater.tumblr.com/post/653493239058464768/love-the-ub-announcement-that-all-of-those-cards#notes
That seems like a weird agreement. They'd be using only their own IP, on a card which they designed in their system. And no one at Wizards has said "Oh, we can't do that because of the licensing agreement," even though that would be a straightforward and simple explanation if it were true.
The reason they added foils was because they were actively seeking to circumvent the reserved list and people got mad. It was fallout from Wizards clearly demonstrating their dislike of it.