Is Draft Coming to MetaZoo? & The Fate of the 4th Wall

During the June 16 MetaZoo Monday chat, Charlie answered community questions about limited formats, casual play, and the possible return of 4th Wall mechanics.

Draft and Sealed Format Discussion

A fan raised the idea of limited formats like draft and sealed in MetaZoo. Charlie confirmed that these formats have absolutely been considered:

Given thought? A ton of it, actually. Especially before the game came out. So many different aspects of the product are impacted by the desire to keep doors open for certain things.

- Charlie Hurlocker

But timing matters. Organized play around limited formats might still be a way off:

I think we are early to be talking about robust sanctioned environments around alternative formats. But the most played format is always ‘what a group of friends/family do when they get a box at the kitchen table.’ And we think about that a lot on top of the standard format being developed.

- Charlie Hurlocker

Could 4th Wall Mechanics Return?

Another fan asked whether the 4th Wall — a defining and divisive feature from the original MetaZoo ruleset — could reappear. Charlie responded:

I’ve covered it in interviews, questions here, etc. but I’m happy to highlight my position a final time. Not opposed to finding unique activations. Especially some special event at something like a Gencon in the future.

- Charlie Hurlocker

The core game, however, remains the focus:

We are primarily focused on developing the game that we have right now that I think has a ton of room to grow and innovate. I think there were other elements of the events like theming and site specific interactions that could be cool to lean into over time.

- Charlie Hurlocker

So while 4th Wall interactions may return in limited or thematic contexts, they likely won’t return as a foundational mechanic. This reflects a broader shift in MetaZoo’s philosophy: the game is moving from novelty-driven mechanics toward long-term competitive infrastructure. By focusing on standardized, testable formats, the design team is better able to support organized play, international expansion, and collectible product lines without creating gameplay confusion or accessibility concerns

That said, the 4th Wall remains a defining part of MetaZoo’s identity — and Charlie’s openness to site-specific or event-based reactivations suggests it’s not gone forever. Instead, it may evolve into something more curated: a special ingredient used sparingly, not the base of the recipe.