Magic Price Crash Situation Is Crazy

Summary

The *Magic: The Gathering* community faces turmoil following the banning of four powerful cards, leading to significant market crashes and intense backlash from players. The situation escalated after the death of Sheldon Menery, the creator of the popular *Commander* format, leaving a power vacuum in its governance. In response to threats against the rules committee, Wizards of the Coast took control of *Commander*, shifting authority from fans to the company. This incident highlights the tension between community-driven gaming and corporate oversight, raising concerns about the future of *Commander* and the delicate balance between player interests and corporate profits.

Takeaways

• 🎴 The Magic: The Gathering community faced significant turmoil following the ban of four powerful cards in the Commander format.
• 👑 Sheldon Menery, a key figure in Magic's history, invented the Commander format, which encourages casual, multiplayer gameplay.
• ⚖️ The principle of 'Rule Zero' allows players to adjust rules and ban cards for a more enjoyable experience.
• 🕊️ After Sheldon's death in late 2023, Wizards of the Coast honored him with a commemorative card, but governance of Commander became uncertain.
• 📉 The banning of cards like Mana Crypt and Jeweled Lotus led to dramatic price drops, with some cards losing over 70% of their value overnight.
• 📢 Community reactions were intense, with players signing petitions, seeking refunds, and some even attempting to offload their banned cards at local stores.
• 👩‍⚖️ Olivia, a member of the Rules Committee, became a target for online harassment due to her involvement in the decision to ban the cards.
• 🏛️ In response to the backlash, Wizards of the Coast announced they would assume full control over the Commander format, ending the community's self-governance.
• 📊 Wizards plans to implement a tiered power system for card legality, complicating the simple nature of the Commander format.
• 💸 The prices of the banned cards have started to spike again as players speculate on their potential unbanning, highlighting the market's volatility.

Q & A

What event triggered the chaos in the Magic: The Gathering community?

The chaos was triggered by the banning of four powerful and popular cards in the Commander format, leading to significant drops in card prices and community backlash.

Who is Sheldon Menery and what was his contribution to Magic: The Gathering?

Sheldon Menery was a prominent figure in the Magic community, known for inventing the Commander format, which allows for a more casual and multiplayer approach to the game. He also served on the Commander rules committee.

What is the Commander format and how does it differ from traditional Magic gameplay?

Commander is a multiplayer format that uses a deck of 100 unique cards, including a 'Commander' card that serves as the player's main character. Unlike traditional 1v1 play, Commander emphasizes fun and social interaction among multiple players.

What is 'Rule Zero' in the Commander format?

'Rule Zero' is a guideline that allows players to customize their games, including altering rules and card usage, as long as all players agree. It's designed to promote fun and flexibility in gameplay.

What was the community's reaction to the banning of the four cards?

The community reacted with outrage, as players had lost significant value in their collections. Many demanded the bans be reversed and some even threatened legal action against the rules committee.

How did Wizards of the Coast respond to the backlash from the community?

Wizards of the Coast issued a statement claiming responsibility for the Commander format, taking over the decision-making powers from the rules committee, which had been under threat and harassment.

What implications did the ban have for the financial value of the affected cards?

The bans caused the prices of the affected cards, such as Mana Crypt, to plummet from around $180 to $50 almost overnight, leading to significant financial losses for collectors and players.

What was the impact of Sheldon's passing on the Commander format?

After Sheldon's passing, the leadership and structure of the Commander rules committee became uncertain, leading to challenges in maintaining the format, which culminated in the recent banning controversy.

How did players initially react to the idea of banning cards in Commander?

While some players acknowledged that the banned cards were powerful and might warrant a ban, many were upset about the abrupt decision and the way it was communicated, leading to feelings of betrayal.

What are the potential future changes for the Commander format following this controversy?

Wizards of the Coast indicated they might implement a power-level system for Commander, categorizing cards and possibly unbanning some previously banned cards, which could complicate the format and affect its casual nature.