Change is inevitable, fear is optional

I'd like to take credit for this little gem, but I saw it in an advertisement for document scanning software. Regardless of its origin, I think it's very appropriate in light of the changes Wizards announced on Friday.

And if you haven't figured it out by now, I'm actually not going to criticize them. Yes, that's right, I am taking Wizards' side on this issue.

Oh, hold on a second; the four horsemen are at the door.

What intrigues me most about the situation is that many people seemed shocked by Wizards announcement. Now I tried to find the original press release for the creation of the Extended format, but Wizards search engine is a joke. However, if my memory serves, Extended was never supposed to be a static format. And in fact there have been rotations in the past (of course, none so dramatic as the one Wizards implemented last week). And more importantly these periodic changes are critical to the long-term health of the game. Magic, like big tobacco, will continue to thrive only if it brings in (and holds the attention of) new customers. So it makes no business sense to have a format in the Pro Tour rotation which limits participation at the PTQs due to card availability. If you think this is somehow a betrayal of long-term customers, you're taking this particular business decision a little too personally. However, Wizards is banking on the fact that for every player that gets disgusted and quits, two or more of the younger players will continue to play and will help to bring in additional customers. I know from personal experience that my Magic spending after seven years has declined. For example, my collection has grown to the point that I don't need to purchase packs when the basic set is updated... But the people who started the game recently need every card they can get their hands on. And I'm sure Wizards would rather cater to the teenagers, because they generally beg, borrow and steal to obtain product (apologies to any teens out there who do not beg, borrow and steal for their cards). (If you can find any - The Ferrett)

So I would suggest Type 1 or 1.5 for those of you who need the comfort of a static format. Of course if you want to be really unique you can sit down at a kitchen table with your friends and play with any cards you desire. The last time I checked you could play this game outside of a tournament. Or if you're really angry, you can quit. My guess is that Wizards is not going to care in any event. Not that I think that's a good thing, but it seems to be the reality of the situation.

Beyond the general comments of"I hate this!" there have also been a number of specific grievances players have voiced on the net. The most common has been:"The dual lands are gone. Arrrgh!" Sure, we're going to miss them, but everyone should have known this was coming. I remember years ago Wizards saying that duals would eventually rotate out. And even if you didn't catch that particular press release, you should have realized the change was in the works once the off-color painlands appeared in Apocalypse. Everyone who owned duals should have started trading them away the moment the spoiler for that set became available. I would imagine Friday's announcement torpedoed the trading/secondary market value of those lands in short order. Unfortunate? Yes, but unavoidable. On the up side, a fixed rotation in Extended will alleviate this type of problem in the future.

Then there was this complaint:"Having duals and older cards promotes diversity in deck construction." While that seemed true, the reality is that Extended, as it exists now, is stagnant. The development of Miracle Gro and adding red to Illusions/Donate last season does not constitute diversity. Rotating out card blocks every few years will force people to build and play different decks. Will Extended then become the old Standard? Possibly, but I've got to believe the newer sets will have an impact on what is played in the future.

At the other side of the spectrum, there are people upset because they won't be able to play the Oath or Illusions/Donate deck they've been using for the last century. When you say something like that, am I supposed to feel sorry for you? Come on; live a little. Go crazy. Break out your old CounterRebels deck and integrate some of the newer cards into it... But don't whine to me that you won't be able to play a deck that has gone through more sleeve changes than card revisions.

And there was this absurd objection made by a handful of players:"I can understand duals rotating out, but removing the Ice Age and Mirage blocks is too much, too fast." How could you consider this rotation to be"too much?" In November, you will still have access to five blocks, two basic sets, and Onslaught. I realize that's a minuscule card pool, but I'm sure players will be able to construct a deck or two from these meager pickings if they try. As to the"too fast" aspect of the above comment, keep in mind these rotations will only occur every three years. Many of the people who find this pace disturbing won't even be playing when the next rotation takes place. And for those who stick it out, I'm sure you'll be able to cope when the things change... In 2005.

I guess what I'm trying to say is this: Stop mourning your loss and adapt. The Extended qualifiers, GPs, and PTs will continue - and if you love to play Magic, so will you.

Remember, Wizards never made any promises when they created this game. Their primary objective is making money for Hasbro's stockholders; it's not keeping Magic players around the world satisfied constantly. If you are looking for a static card game, consider switching to Poker or Gin Rummy.

Michael Clauss
enderwiggan55@hotmail.com

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