Mike Turian is rewriting the rules for what it means to play-it-forward. Games have changed his life and he is on a mission to make sure that others can benefit from the power of play, as well as the generosity of the games industry.

Turian is a celebrated figure in the Magic: The Gathering (MTG) community, known both for his achievements as a professional player and his ongoing contributions at an Executive Producer at Wizards of the Coast. Beyond his professional accolades, Turian is deeply committed to community volunteerism and philanthropy.

Turian has been an active participant in Gamers Engaged's annual charity tournament, The Gauntlet, for several years. In 2022, he captained a team from Wizards of the Coast to raise funds for Zeno, a Seattle-based nonprofit dedicated to early math education for BIPOC preschoolers through play-based learning. In 2021, his team raised funds for Young Women Empowered (Y-WE), an organization that empowers young women to become leaders and changemakers. At the most recent tournament, the Wizards of the Coast team raised money for Gamers Engaged's new Play-it-Forward low-barrier grant program. Turian's involvement underscores his dedication to using gaming as a platform for positive community impact.

In addition to his fundraising efforts, Turian has volunteered with MagiKids, a nonprofit that introduces children to MTG as a tool for developing critical thinking and social skills. He and fellow Wizards employees assembled card kits for distribution to schools and community centers via Hasbro’s Global Day of Joy, aiming to make the game more accessible to young learners. In past interviews, Turian has noted how MTG helped him build friendships and confidence during his youth, fueling his passion for making the game a positive force in others' lives.

Turian has also been a driving force behind Wizards of the Coast's decade-long partnership with Extra Life, a charity benefiting Children's Miracle Network Hospitals. Wizards has helped raise over $4 million for Seattle Children's Hospital through initiatives like the annual Magic Extra Life Game Day live stream and the release of special card sets.These efforts have directly supported the Seattle Children's Autism Center, funding critical services and infrastructure to improve pediatric care.

Through these initiatives, Turian exemplifies how professional success and personal passions can be paralleled by meaningful community engagement, using his platform to foster education, inclusivity, and social growth through the games he loves.

Gamers Engaged is thrilled (and a bit humbled) to feature Mike Turian as a Gamer Who Gives. Keep reading for our interview with Mike:

Why do you continue to support the Gauntlet year after year?

Wizards has been a part of the Gauntlet event since the beginning. The Gauntlet has always supported great charities and being able to be a part of that while playing games at the same time is a win-win.

What's your favorite Gauntlet memory?

My favorite part of the day is the grand finale event. The finale always is a great culmination to the day. I love that it brings all of the teams together and I appreciate the mayhem and epic scale that comes along with the activity.

Why are you a fan of Gamers Engaged?

I align with a lot of what Gamers Engaged is trying to accomplish. To me, it helps bring the idea that each of us can make a difference by doing what we love to life.

What advice do you have for others that want to connect their passion for games with giving back to others?

Get involved! There are so many great charities out there so find one that speaks to you and be proactive about joining in. Personally, in addition to leading the Wizards team for the Gauntlet. I’m on the Board for the Safe Crossings Foundations, one of the lead organizers for Magic’s involvement with Extra Life and the Children’s Miracle Network.

What game are you currently playing that you can't stop? Why?

I’ve been playing Through the Ages, Terraforming Mars, and Gloomhaven. Of course, I both get to work on and play Magic: The Gathering. They are all great games!

If you were an in-game character - what game and what role would you play? What's your alignment?

When I play D&D I love to play a Paladin and I always like to play them as lawful good. That aligns with my real life attitudes as well.

Gamers Who Give: Mike Turian