Magic: The Gathering Art Director on 'No Babe Art' Rule

Jesper Myrfors, the original art director for Magic: The Gathering, recently offered behind-the-scenes insights into the game's early development. He detailed his efforts to ensure the game's art celebrated female empowerment through a specific directive: "No babe art!"

Myrfors explained that he wanted to avoid the common gaming tropes of women as "window dressing" or damsels in distress. Instead, he focused on hiring women artists to create a unique visual style and a more inclusive world. While he admitted the rule wasn't 100% enforced, his goal was to appeal to a wider audience beyond traditional male power fantasies.

In a recent social media post, Jesper Myrfors detailed the specific guidelines he established for Magic: The Gathering art. He stated that one of his primary rules was "No babe art!", which he defined as artwork that shows a "scantily clad woman in a subservient or weak position."

Myrfors expressed a desire to move beyond the limitations of traditional fantasy art. He noted that while he enjoyed works like the Conan books, he wanted Magic to have a "bigger audience." His vision was for an "inclusive power fantasy that did not favor a single sex." He emphasized that he wanted the game to be a world that celebrated female empowerment along with male empowerment, rather than just portraying women as "damsels who needed rescuing."

To achieve his vision, Myrfors made a deliberate effort to hire women artists. He believed that in a "male dominated industry," the voices of women would provide the distinct look he was seeking. He noted that five of the 25 artists who worked on the game's first release were women.

Myrfors argued that this approach was not about being "woke," but about normalcy and business. He stated, "It's crazy to me that one of the secrets to Magic's success was as obvious and simple as 'hire talented women'." He pushed back against the idea that inclusivity is a negative concept, suggesting that those who use the term "woke" derogatorily are hiding their own weakness.

While Myrfors established these guidelines, he acknowledged that the "No babe art" rule was not enforced 100% of the time. He referenced the card Earthbind as an example of art that fit the category he tried to avoid. However, he maintained that the sets he worked on largely avoided these tropes.

His efforts contributed to a foundation of inclusivity, though the game has seen fluctuations in art direction over the years. In 2018, designer Mark Rosewater announced that Wizards of the Coast was moving away from scantily clad characters to ensure players felt comfortable. Additionally, 2015 data indicated the player base was 62% male and 38% female, highlighting the importance of appealing to a diverse audience.

Jesper Myrfors' recent comments shed light on the foundational philosophy behind Magic: The Gathering's art. His commitment to avoiding "babe art" and hiring diverse talent was a strategic move to broaden the game's appeal. By prioritizing an inclusive fantasy world, he helped set the stage for a game that could be enjoyed by everyone, regardless of gender.