Magic: The Gathering’s lead designer Mark Rosewater responded to the significant backlash from certain players after the banning of several cards in the Commander format.
On September 23, Wizards of the Coast officially announced that four cards – Dockside Extortionist, Jeweled Lotus, Mana Crypt, and Nadu, Winged Wisdom – had been banned from Commander with immediate effect by the format’s Rules Committee.
In a blog post dated September 28, Rosewater addressed a player’s question regarding “harassment towards the RC and CAG to deter these harassers,” providing an extensive response.
He attributed much of the harsh criticism to the anonymity afforded by the internet, stating:
“At times, we do things a majority are *very* unhappy with. That’s when things can get a bit ugly. There are many civilities built into daily life. There are behaviors you avoid saying or doing to another person. Most of that disappears online.”
Jeweled Lotus, one of the banned cards, was noted for its high market value.
Discussing how he copes with personal attacks and threats, Rosewater shared, “I have come to realize that someone being nasty reflects more on them than on me. I’ve consciously chosen to develop a thick skin and endure social media, allowing me to continue doing what I love,” he stated, acknowledging that “It saddens me that I have to.”
Rosewater openly urged those engaging in negative behaviors to consider the potential harm they cause, concluding with a call for the community, “I ask the Magic community to be better. I know we have the potential. I’ve seen it.”
The high secondary market value of these four cards led to allegations of insider trading soon after the September 23 announcement, prompting the Rules Committee to refute these claims and confirm they had “no desire or intent” to reverse any of the changes.
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