Subject: insider info Date: Thu, 11 Jun 1998 17:35:24 -0500 (CDT) From: Ethan T Ubell To: sophist@grid.wizards.com CC: fkusumot@ix.netcom.com Hi Rob, and congratulations on your new post at The Duelist. In response to your request for new ideas on the future of your publication, I must first say that I am aware of several political exigencies associated with your position. First, while the slowdown of set releases (as has been suggested recently) may be an excellent policy--indeed, the best policy for insuring that a "new" strategy oriented editorial policy instituted by the magazine succeed in competing with the Dojo and other net sources, I frankly believe that such a thing is unlikely to occur. We should furthermore not expect it to occur, because such decisions are not "made" by the heads of Wizards, even, but by a complex play of the competing interests of stockholders, executives, etc. Given the success of Wizards of the Coast, Inc. in the past, they can be counted on safely to act in the best short to mid term interests of the company, not necessarily of the sport, and this is how it should be, for the current corporate structure is one that exists primarily due to Magic's immense popularity, which itself has given rise to the current debate. The sport and business of Magic are inextricably intertwined. Some would see the above and find weakness, a sport literally dictated by whims of a corporation, and this is true to an extent, until it is realized that magic the game and magic the sport are more complicated than their creators and controllers. All those people at the top, stockholders, executives, R&D, Tom Wylie, Richard Garfield, etc. are not omnicsient manipulators of the world of Magic, but rather artists, businessmen, and designers, all acting in what they think to be the most reasonable of manners for there respective interests. Nevertheless, their motivations, desires, plans, and the like, are often opaque to the view of many, if not all, of the Magic playing community. Thus far, profiles of such people as designers and businessmen in The Duellist have been highly sanitized (examples: Tempest, Stronghold), or ephemeral to the interests of Magic players (Garfield's column). The Dojo is the source par excellance for player generated commentary on all aspects of Magic, but the missing component, the ultimate question, that looms over all posts on the net with regards to the constant creation of Magic as a sport is: WHAT ARE THEY THINKING? If you find quasi-religious overtones in the above you are not mistaken. The remaining illusion of Magic is that it is magical, and springs forth from the unknown and unknowable source: Wizards of the Coast, Inc. I believe that the Duellist, and only the Duellist, as the industry magazine put out by Wizards, can pierce this illusion. You ask what the Duellist can provide that the Dojo cannot? Inside information. Any information not available to players about how the game of Magic is constructed and for what reasons, perhaps including the following: 1. Lengthy interviews (after the fact, of course) with game designers, where they discuss the hows and whys of testing, R&D, and plans for the game. Why were certain cards included, what is their expected impact? If (referencing the Dojo) a card has had a peculiar impact on the game, was it intended or accidental? etc. 2. Interviews, reports, etc. on the business of Magic. What aspects, releases, whatever, are doing well for Wizards and so are being supported over others (examples: formats of play, peripherals like the Duellist). 3. A formal setting for debate, with the implicit understanding that an official stance on topical issues can and will be taken as warranted, would be immensely helpful. As a sort of postscript, I understand that it may be seen as not in Wizards' best interest to "lift the veil" as it were, but I counter by saying it is the only way to ensure the survival of the sport of Magic in the long term. Besides, it is not overall reality of this illusion that eludes the thoughtful person, but merely the specifics which the illusion hides. Respectful of the delicacy of your position, Ethan Ubell