Subject: Re: Is Magic Dead
Date: Tue, 22 Sep 1998 07:33:12 +0000
From: bbrown@accesscorp.com
To: fkusumot@ix.netcom.com

How ironic that when I went to the Dojo this morning I see this
posting.  Only yesterday I took in all my power cards (Lotus,
PowerBlue, etc.) to sell.  I still love the game its just I don't
much care for the current environment and players that it has
spawned.  I played my last Type I match this weekend as I'm sick of
all the catcalls about "This is a Bill card" because I chose to try
and build my own personal decks.  The funny thing is these "Bill"
cards have been integral cards in winning decks before such as
Titanias Song, Fastbond, Icy Manipulator etc. they just are not in
any current posted decks.  I know good deck builders like Finkel and
Buehler could build a winning deck with just about any card (perhaps
not the best deck but surely a competitive one) and suddenly they
would be "hot" cards.  Is Magic dead? who knows but I know it is
suddenly in need of a massive infusion of new blood because the
turnover of "older" players is almost complete, its a new game and
time will tell if it has improved.  In nature the food chain can only
support a few "top of the chain" organisms and Magic is no different,
lose all the "scrubs" and their will be no ProTour which is dependent
on the popularity of the game to support the events.  I will still
play Pre-Release and Sealed deck tourneys as I can build a deck
without being subject to constant ridicule.  I can dish back and
insult with the best but it really ruins the game for me and I won't
play any longer with such a negative atmosphere.  Simple economics
seem to be lost on shop owners who host tourneys and allow their
local "team" members to create a hostile and negative environment, it
is the "scrub" who most likely purchases the most cards and the
casual collector/player. So while I will miss playing Magic 3-5 times
a week I  know I'll find another hobby to replace the time and money
spent on cards like so many others before me.