In the world of Dungeons & Dragons, a war has been waged, and the fans have emerged victorious. The battle began when rumors of a new Open Gaming License (OGL) circulated. Wizards of the Coast, the game’s creator, denied the validity of the leaks, claiming they were just a draft. However, their attempt at negotiation soon backfired, and the community responded with fury. Paizo, the studio behind the popular game Pathfinder, created the Open RPG Creative License (ORC). This new license allows for free and unrestricted sharing of system rules among the tabletop community, and Wizards eventually conceded defeat by moving the Dungeons and Dragons System Rules to a Creative Commons license.
Another war has been brewing within the Magic: The Gathering community for some time now. The Reserved List, a collection of cards that Wizards of the Coast has pledged never to reprint, has long been a point of contention.
MarketWatch recently published an article around the MTG Reserved List, and we wanted to share our thoughts on the matter.
Some players are demanding that the list be repealed, but the decision ultimately lies with WOTC. With the game’s popularity reaching new heights and the emergence of new formats and game modes, the pressure to repeal the Reserved List is mounting. However, there are compelling reasons why WOTC may choose to maintain it, such as maintaining the value of certain cards and upholding their promise to players.
For players who find themselves priced out of owning Reserved List cards, MTG proxy cards provide a solution. These replica cards allow players to use powerful cards in their decks without breaking the bank. Not only do proxy cards make the game more accessible to a wider range of players, but they also level the playing field by giving all players access to the same cards. Additionally, they provide a cost-effective way for players to test out new deck ideas and strategies without making significant financial investments upfront.
In the end, whether it be the fight over the D&D OGL or the debate surrounding the Reserved List in Magic: The Gathering, the community will continue to be passionate and vocal about what they believe is right. While the final decisions rest with the game creators, the fans will always have a say in how their favorite games evolve.
