I'm sure this question has been asked before but this is a question that came into my mind the first time I ever saw Magic products in a store. Over time I suppose the inquiry has simply come to rest at the back of my mind but I just started wondering again for the nth time: What does "The Gathering" subtitle mean? Is it the gathering of all 5 colors of mana? Of all the creatures and spells in the game? People? A clever subtitle to illustrate the fact that the game is a collectible trading card game? I know that the original plan was for each Magic set to have a different subtitle but that doesn't really answer my question. What does "The Gathering" mean?
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"Pop in, find a dragon, roast a dragon."
-Chandra Nalaar
It's a way to make the title non-generic enough to be trademarked.
While Richard Garfield was having the game playtested, it was simply called "Magic". When it came time to produce it, they needed a name to trademark, so they tried "Mana Clash", but everyone kept calling it "Magic". The current name was finally settled on after some brainstorming with a lawyer.
I always understood it as the gathering of mages - of the players, emphasizing the sense of community and social aspect of the game, bringing people together.
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Let this great clan rest in peace (2001-2011)
The same reason why DCI means Duelist's Convocation International. The initial spirit was as said an assembly of mages dueling between themselves, this established also the brand.
As far as I remember, from the Anthologies booklet, -"The Gathering" was supposed to be the name of the first set (alpha,beta, unlimited) and each set was gonna have a different card back and name (ie: Magic: The Gathering, Magic: Arabian Nights, etc) but the idea of having different card back plus the fact that "Magic: The Gathering" was already a well known name, turned that into the full name of the game
Could you imagine having different card backs? We wouldn't be able to play without opaque sleeves. "That's my lightning bolt, cause it's the only card from that set in my deck."
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Modern
Competitive: GW Hatebears - UG Infect - BGW Liege Rhino
Casual: GR Titan Ramp - BR Aggro
WIP: BUW Control Mill
Could you imagine having different card backs? We wouldn't be able to play without opaque sleeves. "That's my lightning bolt, cause it's the only card from that set in my deck."
The idea was that you wouldn't be able to mix sets. Basically, block constructed would be the only format.
I kinda thought (before reading this thread) it had to do with either 'gathering' a collection of cards, or spells, and/or lands, or the representation of lands and thus magical power. You effectively 'gather' power each game via playing lands when you can each turn, but it could also refer to collecting cards, creating a sort of dual meaning.
Could you imagine having different card backs? We wouldn't be able to play without opaque sleeves. "That's my lightning bolt, cause it's the only card from that set in my deck."
The idea was that you wouldn't be able to mix sets. Basically, block constructed would be the only format.
I'm really glad we dodged that bullet.
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“Tell me who you walk with, and I'll tell you who you are.” Esmeralda Santiago Art is life itself.
I always saw it as referring both to the player gathering lands/mana throughout the game, and collecting the cards. So a double meaning.
I read from an interview somewhere on the internet that the naming structure was taken from the rpgs by White Wolf, who use names like Vampire: The Masquerade, Werewolf: The Apocalypse, Mage: The Ascension etc. Apparently at the time when mtg was being made, Wizards had a close relationship with rpg companies (like White Wolf), and someone in Wizard's management thought that style of naming was appropriate. I need to find that interview, it was interesting.
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-Chandra Nalaar
While Richard Garfield was having the game playtested, it was simply called "Magic". When it came time to produce it, they needed a name to trademark, so they tried "Mana Clash", but everyone kept calling it "Magic". The current name was finally settled on after some brainstorming with a lawyer.
Two Score, Minus Two or: A Stargate Tail
(Image by totallynotabrony)
Let this great clan rest in peace (2001-2011)
Could you imagine having different card backs? We wouldn't be able to play without opaque sleeves. "That's my lightning bolt, cause it's the only card from that set in my deck."
Competitive: GW Hatebears - UG Infect - BGW Liege Rhino
Casual: GR Titan Ramp - BR Aggro
WIP: BUW Control Mill
I'm really glad we dodged that bullet.
Art is life itself.
http://mtgsalvation.gamepedia.com/Arabian_Nights
http://magic.wizards.com/en/articles/archive/making-arabian-nights-2002-08-05
I read from an interview somewhere on the internet that the naming structure was taken from the rpgs by White Wolf, who use names like Vampire: The Masquerade, Werewolf: The Apocalypse, Mage: The Ascension etc. Apparently at the time when mtg was being made, Wizards had a close relationship with rpg companies (like White Wolf), and someone in Wizard's management thought that style of naming was appropriate. I need to find that interview, it was interesting.