Down to Business

Greetings and welcome to the first ever installment of Djinn and Juice, a column written exclusively for Front Range Magic (dot coooom!!!!). Some of you know me through my Djinn's Playground podcasts, some of you know me as that tall guy with "the voice", and others, well… "if you don't know me by now, you will never, ever, ever know me…oooooooh".

My claim to fame - I've been playing Magic here locally for the past 14 years, I've competed in multiple Grand Prix's, qualified for two Pro Tours, qualified for the 2004 and 2008 Nationals Championships, and I am your current 2008 Regional Champion.

/flex

If you're reading this, that means you have found what we hope will be *The* Premier Website for all things Magic: The Gathering here in the Colorado Region and beyond. The question on all your minds might be…

"So … why this site? Why now?"

So glad you asked.

After the 2008 Grand Prix here in Denver, many people around the Magic community have been looking at one another and asking "What do we do now?". Those players, including myself, have been curious about what the future holds for all of us and this game that we adore. That prompted several of us to put our heads together (ouch), and we came up with an idea: a website that is dedicated specifically for our local Magic playing community. We envisioneda website where people could come together, talk about Magic in the Forums, see what events are occurring around the region, as well as read up on new developments in our local gaming community.

We have a lot of really cool plans in the works for this site. We're excited to bring it to you, and at the same time, excited for all of you to be a part of it.

That said, we need your help!!! All of us here at Front Range Magic are currently looking for writers! We are looking for motivated individuals who would enjoy writing about Magic, as well as covering local events (feature match coverage, local event journalism, etc). If you enjoy Magic and enjoy writing about it even more, please contact us for details!

Now onto a little bit of news and commentary from yours truly

Recently we had our Shards of Alara Pre-release, and I have to say that I am impressed with the turnout that we had. It's clear to me that the players want the more grandiose style pre-releases. Who can blame them? As we all know, there was a directive handed down from WOTC that the pre-releases were going to be moved into the stores. In spite of that, many TO's went against the grain by organizing the larger scale pre-release to the best of their ability. Our hero, Scott Marshall, stepped up to the plate and hit a home run for the players in my book. My guess is that the next go around – the Conflux Pre-release – will be even bigger and better than the last one.

As you read this, Wizards is crunching down all of the data on the pre-releases and launch parties while fielding all of the feedback from everyone involved (yes, even the players). All of this info will greatly influence the kind of decisions WOTC will make for the next pre-release and launch parties in February (it's definitely not too late to let your voice be heard…hint-hint).

Here is what I'm hoping WOTC will do differently. WOTC's gotta help the people out that are trying to help them. And that starts with giving the TO's more product. Traditional pre-releases gave 2½ packs per player at each pre-release not including judge/volunteer support. They reduced that to 1.5 packs per player for prize and judge support. This is a bit of a slap in the face to everyone who wants to be a part of this. Less excitement and prizes for the players, less compensation for those hard working judges (and they DO work hard), and a real insult to the TO's and everyone involved who try to support this game.

The second thing they need to do is allow the drafts to come back. Not being able to draft this set at all during the pre-release is a real let down to everyone across the board.

Now I know that these changes were done to placate the store owners, who in fairness support WOTC's product too. But there are definitely better ways to stimulate interest, sales, and growth for those store owners instead of neutering our beloved pre-releases. Just as an example, I think that if they focus on revamping the City Championships, you will get more players interested and returning to those stores. They have a really good idea with City Champs, it just needs to be hammered out a bit more.

SATURDAY NOVEMBER 1st - Front Range Magic and Legion Events presents:

Game in the Gulf: Cruise Qualifier

This "Battle for the Boat" is Colorado's very first Post Shards of Alara Standard Event, and it's a DOOZIE. Ever since Shards was released, players have been tuning and trying out different ideas. This will be the first large scale tournament where those ideas will materialize and be on display. Besides packs and other swag, all who enter this event has a shot at a free "Magic" cruise in February. For more information on the cruise itself, check out Legion Events. This event is also going to serve as THE warm-up to the Colorado State Championship.

WARNING! It's anticipated that this tournament is going to be so popular that Valhalla's Game Center is enforcing a player cap on the attendance at 100 players. My sincere advice to everyone: I expect this tournament to fill up to capacity. SIGN UP EARLY (see below). I especially encourage those who plan on traveling to play in this tournament to pre-reg. If you elect not to pre-reg., it's a first come first serve deal when you get to the tournament site.

Click here, then on 'Items' to pre-Register on line and guarantee yourself a spot.

SATURDAY NOVEMBER 8th- Front Range Magic and Wizards of the Coast presents:

The Colorado State Championship

Folks, it just doesn't get any bigger than this. The State Championship here in Colorado is a time honored event that showcases the best of the best in the State. Players from all over the Front Range will travel to compete for the coveted plaque and the chance to claim the title of 2008 State Champion. In addition to the title, the winner will receive FREE entry into the TO Sponsored tournaments for an entire year! Exclusive playmats and card promos will be given to the Top 8, along with Shards of Alara product. And as a special bonus — every Colorado State Champion of the past and present will receive FREE entry into the event! Guys like Kenny York, Josh Napper, the two-time State Champion Alex Smith, and the defending 2007 State Champion Rob Schiermeyer will have a free ride into the big dance to reclaim former glory!

Like the Cruise Qualifier, on-line registration is available - use that same link up above.

And now for something completely different...

On a personal note, I am fully aware of the regional battle lines that are drawn when these events come around each year. In the past, the Denver/Boulder area has dominated the State title. On the other hand, the players down in Colorado Springs enjoy talking a big game while not really putting up the numbers. Now we could see a potential uprising of the Springs' players in these two upcoming events, while the Denver players sit and hope that their numbers will carry them. But, I don't think that's going to happen. Of course, I have always been and ever shall be a Denver player, and those silly rabbits down in the Springs will always and forever be the red-headed step child of the Front Range Magic Community. I predict that the Denver players will once again reign supreme this year and take the title, right on schedule, with minimal disruption from our friends from the South. Sure, they might get lucky and squeeze one competitor into the Top 8 of one of these events, and that'll be cute and all, but let's be realistic: they really don't stand a chance. That all said, for those Denver players reading this—just because we have the numbers doesn't give you license to be complacent! Let's keep the title here in the Mile High City, where it belongs!