Subject: Proposed 6E rule changes Date: Tue, 17 Nov 1998 09:27:21 -0600 From: Jim Dougan To: MTG-STRATEGY-L@ORACLE.WIZARDS.COM An Open Letter to Peter Adkinson and Mark Rosewater Dear Peter and Mark, As you probably know, there is a list of rule changes, to be included in the 6th edition rulebook, now posted on the Dojo. I have absolutely no idea if the list is accurate. Perhaps it is just another net rumor like "Voodoo Witch Doctor." But, if the list is correct, I expect there will be major problems. Please understand that this is not just another "Magic is Dying" thread. I have played since Fallen Empires, so I have lived through most of the major controversies. Never in the past have I been prompted to write a letter like this. In the past, I have laughed when doomsayers have fortold the death of magic. But not this time. These changes really will, I think, kill the game. The problem is, you are "dumbing down" the game. We have had some dumbing down in the past - and although we have complained, it has not been too bad. This is bad. No interupts. No mana pool. No damage prevention phase. No "tapped artifacts are turned off." These rules may be complicated, but they are not too complicated to understand. One of the reasons people love to play MTG is precisely because it is complex. We would all be playing Xena if we really wanted a simpler game. I *really* don't think that the playing community wants a simpler game - and if your marketing research tells you so then I would suggest you get new researchers! Perhaps you want to "dumb down" the game because you think that will attract new players. Perhaps it will - but you will lose older players. Is that a tradeoff you really want to make? Perhaps you do not realize this, but you already have a relatively weak hold on your veteran players. The "fad" phase of MTG has passed, and only the really dedicated players are left. We spend a LOT of money on this game (I probably buy 20 or more boxes per year). However, veterans like me do, periodically, think of packing it all in. I have lots of friends who have done so. I have considered doing so myself. If the proposed changes go into effect, I may well decide to quit. I know many others who I *know* will quit. I ask you one simple question: Are you really willing to sacrifice the business of veteran players - players with established loyalty, who spends thousands of dollars on the game - just so you might replace some of those players with 12-year-olds who spend $2.00 a week and have no loyalty to your product? If you want to attract people to a simpler game, sell them Portal or sell them Xena. Don't destroy MTG. I sincerely hope that this is all a moot point - that the suggested changes are false rumors. If the rumors are false, please make a public statement quickly so that this will all simmer down. If the rumors are true, I hope you will re-examine your decisions in light of what I expect will be *major* complaints from your veteran players. At very least, you need to immediately begin damage control. Sixth edition is months away. If you are really planning these changes, it is *not* too early to begin convincing us that we really want these changes. Thank you for listening. I look forward to hearing your response. -- Jim Dougan DCI #8302