Ravensburger’s Ryan Miller discusses 2025 highlights for Disney Lorcana – and his favourite aspect of the game

Ryan, it’s been another big year for Disney Lorcana. What are some of the biggest additions to the game that your 2025 sets introduced?
The first thing that comes to mind is dual inkcards introduced in Archazia’s Island. Aside from looking really cool, they added a fun new twist to deckbuilding. The Iconic and Epic rare cards we added in Fabled have made collecting and pack-opening so much more exciting! I finally opened my first Epic just last week, and it really took me back to the days of The First Chapter.

Fabled is the latest set – and, as you mention, it introduced Iconic and Epic rarities. How you decide which characters take these new rare spots?
The process is similar to how we choose enchanted rares: a mix of card utility – that is, how useful the game text is – and the ‘star power’ of the character. Star power is totally subjective and debatable, but we try to choose cards that are very exciting from a character or story perspective. Of course, we also like to surprise and delight, so not all cards follow this path… Making Winnie the Pooh – Hunny Wizard an Enchanted card in Fabled is a great example of this!

On that, are there any cards from Fabled that you were especially excited to launch?
I’ve been lucky in that I’ve been able to meet thousands of Disney Lorcana fans over the past couple of years, and one of the most asked-about franchises is A Goofy Movie! Of course, I knew when we’d be doing it, but I couldn’t say anything! Making games is like that feeling you get when you’ve bought someone a gift and you can’t wait for them to open it. Cards from A Goofy Movie have been in the works for a long time, and I’m excited that Disney Lorcana fans finally get to play with them!

We’re now a few years into the brand’s history and it remains a sensation. How has your relationship with Disney evolved over this time?
When we started this journey, well before the game came out, we had lots of dreams of where it could go. Maybe we could be in the Parks? Maybe on the Cruises? Maybe we could work with Disney artists for card art? The team we work with daily within Disney has been nothing short of amazing and, since the game’s launch, they’ve helped bring those dreams and more to reality. I’m really thankful for the Disney folks! They really have been there every step of the way to help make this game the wonderful work of art that it is.

What would you say is key to fruitful collaborations on a trading card game such as this?
TCGs are a specific type of product, and generally more complex on every level than standalone board games and card games, which are not simple products to begin with! So it was important early on to get the game into the hands of as many Disney folks as possible… That’s the best way for people to see what we’re trying to accomplish here.

I go on several trips a year to Orlando and Glendale to do immersion meetings with various Disney teams, giving them booster packs and walking them through the game and the realm it’s set in. This in-person time is an invaluable tool in communicating the concepts and needs of a TCG. It’s also a lot of fun!

What makes trading card games an especially powerful tool for igniting fandom?
One of my favourite things about TCGs is the capacity for self-expression they offer. I can express myself through the deck I build, but also with the playmat I play on, or the sleeves I use on my cards, or the way I track victory… This level of self-expression just gets me more excited for my favourite characters and stories… Now, I’m not just being told a story, I’m becoming a part of it in my own way. It’s hands down my favourite aspect of Disney Lorcana.

Now we’re a few years in, what keeps you energised and enthusiastic working on the brand?
The community. I’ve been in this industry for over 25 years now, and I’ve never been prouder to be a part of a game’s community. They are the nicest, most welcoming and creative people I’ve ever made games for, and it’s a true honour that I get to work on fun cards and events for them.

The other aspect is our team. We’ve got a growing team of talented and passionate folks working on this game, which is why it’s getting better with each set. Disney Lorcana fans give me and co-designer Steve Warner a lot of credit for this game, but the kudos really goes to the team that puts so much love and attention-to-detail into every Disney Lorcana card.

Finally, the next set, Whispers in the Well, is landing in game stores next week. Anything you can tell us that hasn’t been revealed yet – without getting into trouble?
We call that a “Bruno” question. We don’t talk about Bruno.

Ha! Worth a go! Thanks as ever Ryan – let’s speak again soon!

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