Community and what it means to MTGO

MTGO has been around for 5 years, 9 months in live form 1.x or 2.x. Since 6/2002 it has been a strange phenomenon. Digital Objects for trade and sale. Digital objects in games that people "license to use from WOTC/Hasbro" yet in most folks held views they own them.

Its been a rough time since 2003 and the release of 2.x MTGO. MTGO has struggled due to its success with 1.x and also with 1.x flaws in design: hard coding each card's rules and a centralized master server as a bottleneck restricting growth. MTGO's team (post Leaping Lizards) tried to fix some things with 2.0 in 2003 but the crash was so horrid and nasty that they had to roll back. Ever since then 2.x has had its problems and crash/lag instability (past 3,000 or so users online at once).

Flash forward to April 2008. We're nearing the launch of MTGO V3. Its not the prettiest UI (I hate the vertical chat bar) and will launch without Leagues/Multiplayer (unless they fix that at the last minute).

Lets hope with the new 3.x infrastructure (cluster servers, better uniform coding for card rules/cards and expandibility) - we get growth in MTGO again.

What has held us together for the last 5 years of pain? Community. MTGO users on the forums and in MTGO have helped grow the community and keep it cobbled together. Critics and fans of WOTC both help make the MTGO Forums and MTGO itself a better place. I applaud one thing WOTC DOES right: They let us speak our minds on the wizards.com MTGO Forums (within some reason).

Regarding PDCWAR: Rise of Commonaria - we will be launching the Beta 1 Post V3. V3 is so close, I dont want a hangover between the downing of 2.x live and the launch of V3.

More news to come soon on PDC and MTGO!

Morningtide Release events are nearly over...

And MTGO survived. Had single client restrictions (SCR = 1 user account on at one time), alternating days for different events and other speed control mechanisms. Once V3 hits live - we'll have a stronger base system (and not 1 master server for most nongame interactions).

MOR is good to PDC - good ww stuff and other creative fun stuff. Dredge is a dangerous tech in Extended and such. I like Reinforce and Clash for MOR tech. Look forward to More fun stuff with Shadowmoon.

Continued work on PDCWAR: The Rise of Commonaria - we're finalizing the launch of the beta with more info to come.

The battle for Commonaria begins soon!

The storms of war have been brewing for some time now. The continental shifts because of the Planeswalker Wars have created great turmoil. A decision by five mages (one from each school of magic) ages ago to save part of Dominaria in a protected vale called Commonaria. Shielded by powerful and ancient magic - it was a safe place for common folk, beasts and magics to live in peace. That millenium of peace has come to an end. Cracks in the the protective ward are growing from the ongoing War outside Commonaria. Each village senses the storm ahead and have begun preparations for war.

PDCX, as it has been announced, is Pauper Deck Wars: The Rise of Commonaria (PDCWAR). An upcoming beta launch date for this game will be announced soon.

Happy St Patrick's Day - Go Green PDC :)

Just wanted to wish all my pauper friends, MTGO folks and others that land here a very Happy St Patty's day! Go green and enjoy yourself in a safe and sane way. Build a Green deck today!

We're working more on PDCWARS: Rise of Commonaria (name changed) - building out the map, basic rules and such. Beta to be launched in a few weeks after MOR release is done on MTGO.

I hope to see y'all in the PDC events this week. Lots of good stuff occuring in the PDC PRE scene.

Rock on and may a pot-o-gold land in your lap today.

Peace out
Papa Pauper TW

More work and signups for Pauper Deck War: Rise of Pauperia/Common Nation

PDCX is Pauper Deck War. A multiweek event we will be beta testing in MTGO shortly. Involving 6-12 players in our first PDCWAR gaming event - it should be a lot of fun. Note that yes we will have prizes for the winner and the top3 finishers overall.

I am seeking out some assistance during this. Game rules engineering and graphics design are needed. If you wish to participate send me a note here at my blog or in MTGO/on MTGO forums.

I have modified my standard deck and will release the latest/greatest with KPA namesake. Kithkin Pauper Army :)

St Patricks Day is nearing upon us and I encourage everyone to build and play at least one green deck this weekend!

Erin Go Braugh!