Friday, January 20, 2006
Wizards of the Coast sues Magic: The Gathering community icon
Wizards Of The Coast Takes Legal Action
JAN. 19, 2006 (RENTON, WASH.) –
Wizards of the Coast, Inc., the world leader in hobby gaming and a subsidiary of Hasbro, Inc. (NYSE: HAS), today filed suit in U.S. District Court in Washington against Daron Rutter of Vancouver, British Columbia, an administrator of the website "MTG Salvation." The complaint alleges that Rutter intentionally and repeatedly posted on the site Wizards’ proprietary information he unlawfully obtained. Specifically alleged is the unauthorized display of prototypes from planned releases of Wizards' world-famous Magic: The Gathering® Trading Card Game (TCG). Also named in the lawsuit are individuals whom the company believes provided Rutter with Wizards of the Coast trade secrets. The names of these individuals are not known and they are identified as “JOHN DOES 1-10” in the complaint.
“Wizards of the Coast was dismayed to learn our most confidential property was being displayed on a public message board that is widely read by the Magic community,” said Jared Gustafson, Director of Marketing at Wizards of the Coast. “The unauthorized release of information about prototype cards harms the brand because the cards are seen and judged prematurely out of context of the entire set.”
“Wizards of the Coast greatly appreciates fan sites and the role they play in generating excitement for the world’s first and most popular Trading Card Game,” noted Elaine Chase, Senior Brand Manager for Magic: The Gathering at Wizards of the Coast. “While we encourage fan enthusiasm by permitting the use of authorized and other publicly available images and information, we can not tolerate the unauthorized release of confidential company information.”
Daron Rutter, better known as rancored_elf, is a respected and important member of the Magic-playing community, and I am disappointed with the direction that company has taken. Spoilers for upcoming sets heighten anticipation, and results in a fever-pitch of excitement among fans, no doubt contributing to the company's bottom line come sale date. This seems to be, at its core, an attempt to flush out the high-level leaks within Wizards, but it is sad that Daron, essentially reporting news in a journalistic fashion, should be scapegoated in this way.
See the thread discussing this turn of events over at MTG Salvation.
If you are interested in voicing your displeasure, I'd encourage you to email:
corporateinfo@wizards.com, hasbrogamespr@hasbro.com, or hasbrotoyspr@hasbro.com.
Thursday, January 19, 2006
Matrioshka Madness!
"Here we present you a special class of modern matryoshka dolls called political nesting doll. Our first personage is Lenin. Please do not demonize Lenin, an impartial scientist writes, whose words are proved by a great deal written testimony made by contemporaries. He was just an instrument of fate, and his fate, which means the fate of the whole Russia, could have been different. In 1917 a unique concatenation of circumstances took Lenin to the wave crest, that's why we got where we are now. Lenin was neither a genius nor a devil incarnate, but what personality he was (common, but not "simple") helps us comprehend what happened to Russia and the whole world in the 20th century. Height - 16 cm."
Well, no wonder Lenin failed. He was only 16 cm high! (And please don't demonize Lenin - we're watching you.)
"Another personage for political matrioshka dolls is U.S. President J.W.Bush. As specialists say: "Bush looks very common, so professor Bukenen. - He lingers if he is not prepared. He has got no presidential majesty so characteristic of ,say, Charles de Gaulle. He is not an intellectual, doesn't like reading and debating. But he learns quickly and is quick to grasp the necessary things. Bush certainly doesn't belong to the toilers, likes spending time at home, which worries many people. But as matter of fact Ronal Reagan was the same and now he is considered to be the most outstanding U.S. President. Height - 16 cm."
Well, they got the part about Bush right, anyway. And lookee how cute mini-Carter is!
BONUS: Apart from lots of politically-oriented stacking dolls, Disney dolls have a separate section. I think this proves that Reagan really did win.
Monday, January 16, 2006
Perry Bible Fellowship
Although it's been around a long time, I'm surprised at the lack of circulation the Perry Bible Fellowship has received. It's a collection of hilariously twisted comic strips made by Nicholas Gurewitch. Click around the front page to see random comics, or click the central figure to go to the full archive.
BONUS: Apparently if you submit strip ideas, Nicholas might use them! I love artists that take requests.
