Reading Michael's article got me to thinking...

There are lots of things that a lot of people are going to find wrong with Magic Online. Currently, the pricing scheme seems to be the root of most complaints.

While I think that the pricing scheme definitely shocked a lot of us, I believe that it is the fairest thing for Wizards to do. Of course, Wizards should care about the players... But as many people have pointed out, they also have a responsibility to the retailers who sell their products. I'm not going to pretend to know what Wizards' business rules are, but most Supplier/Retailer relationships are based on a legally-binding contract which states that the supplier will not sell the product directly to the public for less than the retailer can. (It'd be nice... - The Ferrett)

Before the advent of the internet, this practice was the only logical solution for suppliers who had a problem getting their product to the public. They could invest their time and money in creating and manufacturing the product, and the retailers were able to invest their time and money in getting the product on the streets. Now, with the web, suppliers are finding it easier and easier to reach their target audience directly... But have you ever wondered why you can't buy packs of cards directly from Wizards cheaper than you can from Star City?

More money?

Maybe... But that's pretty pessimistic and petty.

I think it has to do with more than that. Wizards doesn't want to undermine the retailers with whom they have contracts and obligations. By keeping the retailers in business (or at least not directly competing with them), Wizards is fostering a healthy gaming environment - which is only going to lead to more sales.

So. Do I find the pricing structure for Magic Online a little frustrating? Yep.

Do I think it's unfair? Not in the slightest.

The current pricing structure is the fairest thing that Wizards could do, since we currently lack the means to make cardboard cards = virtual cards.

Kudos to Wizards for putting the welfare of their retailers on the list of things they actually care about.

So I think the pricing is fair. Obviously, the program is great. (Sans the random disconnects) Am I going to pay to play?

Hell, no!

Why not? Well, the one thing that that I am whining about is the lack of support for older cards.

I've been playing off and on since '94 and poured thousands into this cardboard crack game. (Which is only slightly less than I've spent on real drugs.)

So am I going to start paying for a chance to start back at zero again? And only to play Type II? Never.

My ideal Magic: Online? I want to be able to use my current collection online.

(this next part is important)

Including Type One.

The major complaint that I've been seeing around the web is that people would prefer to have a monthly fee instead of paying for the cards by the pack. As I've just outlined above, paying a monthly fee for new packs is unfair and unreasonable. I think the solution to everyone's problems would be to have two different pricing structures. The current format is great, as is; however, the monthly structure would take quite a bit of work to implement. First and foremost, it would require access to older sets, as I don't think that current Standard cards should be included in a monthly fee.

I don't know how many people have noticed, but if you uncheck the"My Cards" box when you're building a deck, you can use almost any card ever printed... Wow. So can I play with the Beta Black Lotus that I sold my first-born for? Nope.

You can look at them... You can even build decks with them... But you can't play with them.

Yet.

Understandably, it will take a long time to program every Magic card ever made. But I think it's worth it. I'd be the first to sign up for a Magic Online where I could play the greatest format ever. Why not support Type 1? The vast majority of reseller profit comes from selling boxes and Type II cards, so I don't think that this would adversely affect card sales. My suggestion is this:

Keep the current structure for selling new cards (but, for the love of God, let me buy a display box at a discount!).

Allow Sanctioned online play, using only cards that you virtually own. (Is that an oxymoron?)

Charge a monthly fee for access to all cards* not in the current Standard environment, to be used in casual play only.**

As Oscar Tan has reiterated numerous times, you CAN play Type 1... If only Wizards would support it.

I think they can support it, make money while doing so, and help make Magic Online a much better place to play overall.

If we're going to whine about something, let's whine about something that makes sense. No one really makes much money on Type 1 anymore anyway. Not that I think this would hurt sales of Type 1 cards... Nothing beats slapping down that Beta Lotus first turn - not even attacking for two. I'm still going to finish my Power Nine set whether I can use them for free online or not.

Changing the pricing structure of Standard might make Magic Online a more viable alternative to IRL Magic for the players - but overall, I'm certain that it would be detrimental to the gaming community as a whole. So like Mr. Granaas said, let's quit whining about the pricing and the inventory wipe (we all knew it was going to happen), and let's start being constructive.

Thanks for taking the time to read my rant,
Jim Rice

* - At least until there's some way to feed our current collections into the computer... I can't see that ever happening, though.

** - Standard cards can be used, but only if you virtually own them.

What do YOU think? Share your opinion with the community and you just may walk away with some FREE Magic cards... courtesy of your friends at StarCityGames.com!