Eureka!

[Gryphonclaw]

Okay, here's the concept. A varient of Magic dedicated to the casual player. I'm not talking about a new set, I'm talking about a new game.

It would have to be sanctioned by Wizards of the coast, as it would use all of the vital symbols and card structure. However, the focus would be totally different.

But the vital portions would be the same. The rules of the game would pretty much be the same, the card backs would have to be the same, and of course the card layout would be the same. Basically it would have to be able to interact with Mtg, but it would be capable of other things.

The distinction between this game and magic could be anywhere else, the border color, the art, the card names, etc. Of course none of these cards would be remotely allowed in tourney play.

They could reprint all of the old goodies with minimal impact on the values of those cards and *important* ELIMINATE RARITY.

They could drop the price of boosters too, each card would be worth the cardboard it was printed on.

Basically it would be magic, without the bannings or restrictions, without the competitiveness, without the high-value cards, without the need to use plastic sleeves, sort of a hippy version where normal Mtg is the corperate version.

What do you think? Is this viable?

I would call it Casual Magic.

[Edited by Gryphonclaw (03-24-2000 at 02:37 PM).]

[Edited by Gryphonclaw (03-24-2000 at 02:38 PM).]

 

[Apollo]

I don't think this would be a bad idea at all. However, I can tell you who would: their almighty lordships, Wizards of the Coast. People would flock to your version from the old version. Booster prices are less, you can get all of the old power cards, and you won't have to buy a box for one card because there is no rarity. Thus, prices of regular cards go down, because nobody plays it anymore. The collectors, infuriated, quit. These people have been buying lots of boxes because they are the collectors who want complete sets and that sort of thing. Eventually, since everyone is playing this game, informal tournaments will start. Soon, since regular Magic has been abanded, Wizards will start sanctioning casual magic tournaments. People complain because your "old goodies" create turn one kills and people get sick of it. These cards are banned. Now you're back in basically the same situation, except the Wizards is making less money on each booster sold and is selling less because the collectors quit and because players don't need to buy a box to find a certain rare card. Kind of screws Wizards over, doesn't it? If you can find any flaws in my logic, feel free to point them out.

Apollo

 

[Ura]

Well, first off, I do agree with Gryphon that something like that would be cool. However I also heavily agree with Apollo on this. I own a games shop and about 70% of my income is from magic, both collectors and players. If the booster prices dropped then I would make very little money on them, and because there is no rarity you wouldn't have to buy many boosters to get the "good" cards. So the shops make even less money, eventually the scenario layed out by apollo plays out and the first thing to go is the local card and games shops. Its tough enough to make ends meet with the wholesale cost of magic being so high already. While I like the idea of a casual style set I don't see it as being viable to the open market. Simply, why not just play with proxies, if its casual no one should care if you do or not (and I remember you having some terrific proxies ), as long as you aren't doing it to have a first turn kill god deck or something. Part of it being a CCG is the collectable part, which means rarity has to exist or sets have to get really big, and if sets get really big then quality would probably end up going down. WotC has enough trouble making a 143 card set all good let alone something that would be 300 to 400 cards. It would kinda end up like Uno or something where all the cards come in one box, but I don't see many repeat buyers of it.
All of the bannings and restrictions and all that junk is part of what makes magic what it is today. This group probably wound't even exist if there was no need to define the casual players from the super competitive players. Competition level isn't based on the cards or the sets, its based on the people playing the game regardless of what they have to use. Oh. and personally I like to use sleeves on my cards regardless of value because I like to keep them in good condition, even my all commons decks.

[Edited by Ura (03-25-2000 at 01:11 AM).]

 

[TomB]

Hey, I've a wild idea. Why not have WotC reprint the old cards in a special set with the word "Proxy" printed across the face of them? That should protect the collector's investments, and give new players the opportunity to play with semi-authentic looking cards. Put 'em in a set like "Unglued II" if you like. I bet it would sell then.

TomB
CPA Member

 

[Duel]

I'm getting a broken record feeling. About 12 times in the last month people have suggested reprinting the power 9 with some noticable mark that would make them illegal for tourney play. That's all well and good, but how would you feel if you just bought a Black Lotus for $300 and the kid next door will play you with the one he got for $4.50? Besides which, when the Power 9 become common, the game ends up in three-second kills. the power 9 are banned because they are no fun to play against. Though all of you would love to own them, think of how you'd feel going up against them.

[Edited by Duel (03-25-2000 at 02:40 AM).]

 

[TomB]

Umm, I have, though not all that often recently. I remember when there were no "Types" of Magic - there was just Magic, and it included everything from Mind Twist to ChannelBall. The game was still fun then, and it survived, and even thrived.

Don't forget, we're also not talking about using them in tourney-grade decks. In a set released with a declaration that it wouldn't be legal for tournaments (like Unglued) they'd only see casual play anyway, and proxied up T1. Neither would threaten anyone's DCI rankings.

In fact, it's the desire to use my Moxes more often that is the reason WHY I wouldn't mind it if more people had access to them. They're only cheesy to play with when you're playing against someone without them, and I grow tired of seeing them sitting in a deck I don't get to use very much.

But you're right, we have covered this a few times in the recent past. I only jumped in here because the thought occurred, and it was a different idea than the one I had written about before.

The fact that it keeps being brought up by different individuals should tell you something though. Newer players want and deserve an opportunity to play with these cards, even if they're only cheap imitations of the real things.

To me, the only question is how to do it in a way that's fair to everyone concerned, and that doesn't screw up T2. I'm still not sure what would be the best way, but I think if we keep trying we'll find a way.

TomB
CPA Member

 

[Chaos Turtle]

Auuugggghhhhh!!!!
Not again!

 

[Spiderman]

Hehe... I second Duel's and Chaos Turtle opinion. However, TomB, I think the reason why many people ask for the old power cards don't realize the implications of playing with them.

Also, what is "casual" play here? Something that's NOT billed as a tourney? Such as going into your shop and playing anyone there? Casual play with your friends with whom you play with on a constant basis is all well and good, but a "random" game where you meet someone new in a shop or online... face it, people are going to have their "best" decks for the occasion and with the power cards it could be a not so thrilling experience.

Call me pessemistic...