Gam3Escape

Weekly Events Feb 2 - 8
Written by Jim Ziegler

Last month we finally returned to one of Magic: The Gathering’s most popular planes, Lorwyn, and based on prerelease turnout it seemed to be a huge success. Sure, there were a couple new players who were overheard asking what movie the set was based on (with the consensus apparently reached that it was a Jim Henson Studios film from the 80s that they saw when they were kids), but for many of us it was a celebration of all things Universes Within.

There was one design decision that was disappointing, however: Lorwyn Eclipsed marked the first set I can recall that didn’t include date-stamped promos in the prerelease kits. Those promos are typically pretty common, so they can be a cheap way to get foil copies of cards, but they’re also extremely collectible and a frequent souvenir for regular players. I still have my first stamped prerelease promo from 2012’s Dark Ascension, as well as an Avabruck Mayor promo from the Innistrad prerelease that featured unique art that hasn’t been printed since, and looking at them reminds me of playing Magic with the Guild of Games at UH Hilo years before Gam3Escape opened.

According to Wizards of the Coast, they discontinued stamped promos because internal research revealed that most players don’t want them, or at least don’t care about them. But “internal research” that they never release is an easy excuse for just about any changes they want to make. The stamps could have been discontinued because it saves them a few cents per card, increasing the profit margin just a little. The same excuse was used for the removal of Collector Booster Samplers from Commander precons before their price was raised, and let’s be honest: Does it seem realistic that research indicated players wanted fewer cards for a higher price?

Profit margins seem like a more likely reason. After all, Hasbro’s CEO, Chris C***s, is being sued for trying to manipulate the market for Magic cards, and has gone on record that he wants Wizards of the Coast to use AI for product development and art in order to cut production costs.

Another reason might be the pace at which they’re putting out new cards. Lorwyn Eclipsed got pushed back several months to make room for Spider-Man, and the prerelease kits were likely already printed when that decision was made.Moving the set from 2025 to 2026 would mean that the stamped promos would need to be reprinted, and it was probably faster and cheaper to just print more sheets of standard foil cards than to set a new print job for a 2026 stamp. Removing the date stamps also makes it a little easier to move other sets around if other companies insist on earlier or larger sets to represent their IPs.

IN THE WORLD OF POKÉMON
Standard Constructed Tournament
Saturday, 5:30PM
Show the world that you’re the very best, like no-one ever was. Bring your best Standard deck and compete for prizes. Entry fee: $10

Pokémon League Casual Play
Saturday, 3:00 PM
Receive a pack of your choice from any in the store, as well as a promo pack. Participants are entered into the end-of-season prize pool. Entry fee: $10

GATHER FOR MAGIC
FNM: Standard Showdown
Friday, 6:00 PM
Bring your best Standard deck and play to win! Entry fee: $10

Lorwyn Eclipsed Commander Party
Thursday, 6:00 PM
Return to one of Magic’s most beloved planes in the newest set, Lorwyn Eclipsed. Bring a deck built around a Lorwyn Commander and receive an extra raffle ticket!. Entry fee: $10

Casual Commander
Monday, Wednesday, and Thursday 6:00 PM
The most popular format in Magic, Commander, is back on the table. Bring your favorite deck, or playtest a new one against other Planeswalkers. No entry fee: These battles are for honor, not prizes!

TIME TO DUEL! YU-GI-OH!
Yu-Gi-Oh! Genesys Format Learn to Play & Tournament
Tuesday, 7:00 PM
Check out Yu-Gi-Oh! TCG at Gam3Escape's Genesys format events. These events are designed to be accessible for all ages. We will have preconstructed decks to help players learn to play. Participants will receive an OTS Pack. Entry fee: $5.00

Advanced Constructed Tournament
Thursday & Friday, 7:00 PM
Duel for supremacy in the Yu-Gi-Oh Trading Card Game. Earn booster packs and OTS Tournament Packs while demonstrating your skills as a duelist. Entry fee: $10

A WHOLE NEW WORLD OF LORCANA
Illumineer’s Quest – Palace Heist Event
Friday, 6:30 PM

Lorcana League & Learn to Play
Friday, 6:30PM
Share your love of Disney and trading card games with other enthusiasts at Gam3Escape’s Lorcana League! Entry fee: $10

STAR WARS: UNLIMITED
Casual Play League
Tuesdays, 5:30 PM
Whether you’re an aspiring Jedi, a sinister Sith, or a bounty hunter looking for your next score, Star Wars: Unlimited has all the excitement of your favorite space opera in cardboard form.

GUNDAM TCG
Gundam Card Game ST07/08 Release Event
Wednesday, 6:00 PM
Come to Gam3Escape to celebrate the newest Gundam sets Celestial Drive and Flash of Radiance!

Constructed Tournament
Sunday, 1:00pm

CARDFIGHT! VANGUARD!
Divinez Constructed Tournament
Wednesday, 5:30 PM
Bring your cards and get ready to fight! Cardfight! Vanguard is back with weekly tournaments, every Monday night. Entry fee: $6

SET SAIL FOR ONE PIECE!
One Piece Constructed Tournament
Saturday, 2:30 PM
Gather your crew and join us for Gam3Escape’s One Piece Constructed tournament! Entry fee: $10

RIFTBOUND: LEAGUE OF LEGENDS
Spiritforged Pre-release Event
Friday, 5:30 PM
Celebrate the next Riftbound set at Gam3Escape! Each Pre-Rift kit contains a mini deck and five booster packs. Entry fee: $40

Constructed Tournament
Saturday, 5:30 PM
Entry fee: $10

Casual Play
Tuesdays, 6:00 PM

TABLETOP CLASSICS
Casual Chess Play
Monday, 5:30 PM
Gam3Escape is excited to host, in conjunction with Hawaii Island Chess Association, casual play Chess every Monday at 5:30pm! Some chess boards will be provided but feel free to bring your own. Learn to play, fun for all ages. Youth under 13 must be accompanied by a responsible adult.