MTG lead designer asks community to be “better” following RC bans

As a seasoned gamer with years of Magic: The Gathering under my belt, I can empathize with Mark Rosewater’s predicament. The passion and investment we put into our hobbies can sometimes lead to intense reactions when changes are made that we don’t agree with. However, the level of harassment he and the Rules Committee have faced is simply uncalled for.


Mark Rosewater, lead designer of Magic: The Gathering, acknowledged and responded to the strong criticism from certain players following the ban of several cards within the Commander gameplay format.

On September 23rd, it was officially announced by Wizards of the Coast that the Rules Committee for the Commander format had promptly prohibited four cards: Dockside Extortionist, Jeweled Lotus, Mana Crypt, and Nadu, Winged Wisdom.

On September 28th, a blog post posed a question to Rosewater about addressing “misconduct directed at the RC and CAG to discourage such behavior,” to which he responded extensively.

Attributing much of the extreme vitriol to internet anonymity, he said:

Occasionally, we engage in actions that draw strong disapproval from many. In such instances, situations can become somewhat contentious. A significant amount of polite behavior is woven into our daily interactions. There are things we avoid doing or saying to others in person. Much of this etiquette tends to be discarded in online environments.

MTG lead designer asks community to be “better” following RC bans

Rosewater stated, “I’ve learned that someone being rude is often more about them than me. I’ve chosen to grow a tough exterior so I can keep pursuing what I enjoy, despite harsh criticism.” He also acknowledged, “It’s sad that such behavior is necessary.

Instead of asking directly, Rosewater subtly suggested that those who act negatively should consider the possible damaging consequences of their actions. In closing, he appealed to the entire Magic community, expressing his belief in our capacity for improvement: “Let’s strive to do better. I know we can. I’ve witnessed it.

After the prohibition announcement on September 23, allegations of insider trading arose due to the high secondary market value of all four impacted cards. These accusations prompted the Rules Committee to refute them, while also emphasizing that they had no intention or desire to reverse any of the changes made.

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2024-09-29 13:50