Years ago, when I started playing Magic, things were a lot different. The DCI had virtually no presence in my Magic tournament experiences, and the state of Organized Play was little more than non-existent. I had no idea what the DCI was, and what it could do for me. Since then, things have changed. The DCI takes a lot of bashing, some of which is deserved, but much of which is pretty much frivolous and unjust. The DCI is a very new organization, in the grand scheme of things, and has done amazing work in the few short years that it has existed. I attribute much of it's success to the hard-working people behind the scenes. The people who are doing the investigations, managing the database, administering the policies, and doing the day to day dirty work that needs to be done. People like Jason Carl, Gordon Culp, RE Dalrymple are not exactly household names, but their work help make the DCI what it is today. There is also the legion of judges and organizers who basically volunteer their time (it isn't exactly a high paying activity) to give us an opportunity to play this amazing game. The items below are not just credited to the DCI, they are due to Organized Play and Event Properties as well, but the DCI ties everything together. Here is my list of things that the DCI has done to make Magic more enjoyable for the average tournament Magic players: 1. Speed of database administration. I remember when results would take months to be entered into the database. Nowadays, a tournament can be in the database within a week of the DCI receiving it. It's great to know that a tournament you play in a few months before a Pro Tour will count towards your ranking to secure an invite. This system is not perfect yet, and it really depends on the organizer getting the results in on time, but it is a vast improvement over years gone by. Thanks to the DCI for allowing tournament results to be entered in a timely fashion. 2. Tournament Sanctioning. In the past, it was a bit of a complex affair trying to get a tournament sanctioned. It was a little mysterious, and not the most accessible procedure. These days, it takes about 5 minutes to sanction your own tournament, and you have a vast array of tournament types to choose from. Team events, Standard, Classic, Extended - the list goes on. There used to be Type 1, Type 2 and Sealed Deck. Thanks to the DCI for giving us more options, and making the system easier to use. 3. Certified Judges. Has judging improved over the years or what? It used to be incredibly hard to find a judge that knew anything about timing issues or tournament rulings. The program is still in it's infancy, and is not perfect, but it's getting there. An email list allowing hundreds of judges from all over the world to consult with each and ask questions - isn't that amazing? Over the next few years, as resources become more and more available, I look forward to seeing judges get better and better. Thanks to the DCI for helping the judging situation immensely. 4. Premier Tournaments. It started slowly with the Homelands pre-release, then slowly built up with the Ice Age pre-release and the Alliances pre-release. Nowadays, players all over the world have a chance to play with a new expansion before it's released, and try your hand in a unique tournament that tests your skill using cards that you haven't had a chance to practice with. Along with pre-releases, Pro Tour Qualifiers have also become much more accessible. From a scant few to nearly one hundred in North America, plus many more all over the world, many players can participate in a Qualifier every weekend! Thanks to the DCI for making a shot at the Pro Tour accessible to nearly everyone and for giving us the chance to have fun at pre-release tournaments. 5. Investigations. Although not every crime will go punished, it's nice to know that the DCI is investigating the most serious problems in DCI sanctioned tournaments. One man has this difficult task, and he does it with drive and commitment. Even if it's not a perfect system, it's nice to know that someone is looking out for us. Thanks to the DCI for watching our backs. 6. Enhanced K-Value. For a long time, a system has been needed to help place a ranking value on different levels of tournaments. Obviously, winning a match at a tiny 8 man local tournament should not be worth the same amount as winning a match at a Pro Tour or World Championships. Thankfully, the DCI has devised the Enhanced K-value system to help put the various tournaments into perspective. Having won many matches at the smallest tournaments available, and many matches at the largest tournament available (Worlds), I realize that there should be a different value placed on winning the matches at the more significant tournaments - the level of intensity is just different. The system is still not perfect, and never will be, but it's leaps and bounds better than the old days. Thanks to the DCI for making rankings more meaningful. 7. Match History *. It's an amazing thing to be able to check out your complete match history over the course of your Magic career. Now, for Legends members, you can even access this on-line. Thanks to the DCI for making ranking information available so easily. "* - This is actually coming very soon, but hasn't been released publicly yet. Sorry for being a tease. - J.D." -Jeff Donais |
Subject: What has the DCI done for me lately?
Date: Tue, 01 Sep 1998 01:31:16 -0700
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