So last Saturday I purchased a $30 Pre-Release Kit for Innistrad: Midnight Hunt but didn't realize that I needed a smartphone to scan a QR Code which I didn't have. I asked the cashier If I needed a refund since I didn't own a smartphone to scan the QR Code and he told me no even though I paid for the kit in cash since I didn't have a debt card on me as well. A couple days later I called my LGS about the situation again to confirm whether or not If I owed them extra money for the Pre-Release Kit since I don't own a smartphone device as a QR Code scanner. Unfortunately one of the co-workers hung up on me though I think he had his hands full helping a customer at the time. Long story short: I'm not in trouble and they told me not to worry about it.
I can't help but wonder If QR code scans are going to be the new normal for purchasing Pre-Release Kits for those who choose not to participate in Pre-Release Events due to the pandemic. Last time I purchased a Pre-Release Kit in the past a smartphone QR code scan wasn't even a requirement to pay for it. There's no law stating that you can't buy or sell without scanning a QR code with a smartphone device. I was worried that the QR code scan wasn't optional but since it appears that it is then I don't really have anything to worry about unless it somehow becomes mandatory. Has anyone here had any troubles with this that don't own smartphones? I'm part of the minority but still I have my reasons for not owning a smartphone though I do carry a regular phone.
"Restriction breeds creativity." - Sheldon Menery on EDH / Commander in Magic: The Gathering
"Cancel Culture is the real reason why everyone's not allowed to have nice things anymore." - Anonymous
"For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world, and loses his own soul?" - Mark 8:36
"Most men and women will grow up to love their servitude and will never dream of revolution." - Aldous Huxley, Brave New World
"Every life decision is always a risk / reward proposition." - Sanjay Gupta
One of my local LGS sold me 3 on Pre-release day for $24 each for take home play. (No tax on those either) Some places are chill others are a pain in the butt. Of course I had to drive 25 miles away, 50 miles roundtrip. But I live out in the sticks so I don't have many options.
Private Mod Note
():
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
Playing since 1994: Currently MAGS (HomeBrew),Standard & Pauper (Pioneer and Modern are degenerate trash formats)
STOP using "dude/bro" as a pejorative or insult. Grow up.
Margaret Thatcher: “The problem with socialism is that you eventually run out of other people's money.”
Benjamin Franklin: "Those who would give up essential Liberty, to purchase a little temporary Safety, deserve neither Liberty nor Safety."
Martin Luther King Jr.: "I have a dream that my four little children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin, but by the content of their character."
One of my local LGS sold me 3 on Pre-release day for $24 each for take home play. (No tax on those either) Some places are chill others are a pain in the butt. Of course I had to drive 25 miles away, 50 miles roundtrip. But I live out in the sticks so I don't have many options.
Did they require you to scan a QR code through your smartphone by any chance?
Private Mod Note
():
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
America Bless Christ Jesus
"Restriction breeds creativity." - Sheldon Menery on EDH / Commander in Magic: The Gathering
"Cancel Culture is the real reason why everyone's not allowed to have nice things anymore." - Anonymous
"For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world, and loses his own soul?" - Mark 8:36
"Most men and women will grow up to love their servitude and will never dream of revolution." - Aldous Huxley, Brave New World
"Every life decision is always a risk / reward proposition." - Sanjay Gupta
One of my local LGS sold me 3 on Pre-release day for $24 each for take home play. (No tax on those either) Some places are chill others are a pain in the butt. Of course I had to drive 25 miles away, 50 miles roundtrip. But I live out in the sticks so I don't have many options.
Did they require you to scan a QR code through your smartphone by any chance?
Nope. Nor have they for the last few pre-release dates for take home play. It may have something to do if you want to claim points or participation towards your DCI account potentially. My store is just happy to get the sale. Remember the stores have already purchased these from WotC and are theirs to sell as they wish.
Private Mod Note
():
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
Playing since 1994: Currently MAGS (HomeBrew),Standard & Pauper (Pioneer and Modern are degenerate trash formats)
STOP using "dude/bro" as a pejorative or insult. Grow up.
Margaret Thatcher: “The problem with socialism is that you eventually run out of other people's money.”
Benjamin Franklin: "Those who would give up essential Liberty, to purchase a little temporary Safety, deserve neither Liberty nor Safety."
Martin Luther King Jr.: "I have a dream that my four little children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin, but by the content of their character."
I thought Wizards of the Coast / Hasbro got rid of DCI Accounts years ago to get more players into Arena instead of Paper Magic.
Private Mod Note
():
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
America Bless Christ Jesus
"Restriction breeds creativity." - Sheldon Menery on EDH / Commander in Magic: The Gathering
"Cancel Culture is the real reason why everyone's not allowed to have nice things anymore." - Anonymous
"For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world, and loses his own soul?" - Mark 8:36
"Most men and women will grow up to love their servitude and will never dream of revolution." - Aldous Huxley, Brave New World
"Every life decision is always a risk / reward proposition." - Sanjay Gupta
Yeah they got rid of that but I think players may still have a Wizards Account or something of that nature. With so little in person tournaments I'm not sure how they are doing it anymore. Whatever the case I just show up to my LGS and buy a kit/kits and take it home for play. At least for the foreseeable future while we are still dealing with covid.
Playing since 1994: Currently MAGS (HomeBrew),Standard & Pauper (Pioneer and Modern are degenerate trash formats)
STOP using "dude/bro" as a pejorative or insult. Grow up.
Margaret Thatcher: “The problem with socialism is that you eventually run out of other people's money.”
Benjamin Franklin: "Those who would give up essential Liberty, to purchase a little temporary Safety, deserve neither Liberty nor Safety."
Martin Luther King Jr.: "I have a dream that my four little children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin, but by the content of their character."
The reason why Wizards of the Coast / Hasbro is enforcing this on Paper Magic players is that they have this false assumption that everyone owns a smartphone device to scan for QR codes when not everyone does. They recently launched this new mobile app known as "Companion" to replace players' DCI Accounts and Win / Loss Records for Official Paper Magic Tournaments. So now If you're wanting to enter an Officially Sanctioned Paper Magic Tournament like a Pre-Release, Grand Prix (which is apparently coming back according to the Magic Historian on YouTube), or Standard Tournament then a smartphone device is mandatory to use the Companion mobile app. Since I've chosen not to own a smartphone to use the Companion app let alone being more of a Casual player than Competitive with my Paper Magic format of choice being EDH / Commander, my LGS was kind enough to give me an exemption for my $30 Pre-Release Kit purchase for Innistrad: Midnight Hunt. Because of the ongoing pandemic you can still choose not to participate in the Pre-Release Event.
This explains why there's not as many Paper Magic players showing up to play Standard recently because of the Companion mobile app mandate that Wizards of the Coast / Hasbro is trying to enforce on these players and Local Game Stores who are WPN approved. All this is going to do is drive away sales for these Local Game Stores who are trying to profit off of these Sanctioned Events that will eventually make it harder for new players to get into Paper Magic unless they're okay with owning a smartphone device for a mobile app mandate. Whatever happened to just paying an entry fee to enter an In-Person Tournament but no they had to throw in a mandate over something that really should be a players right to choose to begin with. I don't see companies like Konami, Bushiroad, and Pokémon Company International enforcing these kinds of mobile app mandates for Organized Play in regards to Yu-Gi-Oh!, Cardfight!! Vanguard, and Pokémon TCG. I don't think smartphone mobile apps should be mandatory for buying or selling items when monetary exchanges through cash, credit, or debt SHOULD be enough.
Private Mod Note
():
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
America Bless Christ Jesus
"Restriction breeds creativity." - Sheldon Menery on EDH / Commander in Magic: The Gathering
"Cancel Culture is the real reason why everyone's not allowed to have nice things anymore." - Anonymous
"For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world, and loses his own soul?" - Mark 8:36
"Most men and women will grow up to love their servitude and will never dream of revolution." - Aldous Huxley, Brave New World
"Every life decision is always a risk / reward proposition." - Sanjay Gupta
You seem to have ignored everyone else in this thread to promote some weird conspiracy theory that obviously has no basis in fact. There is no requirement like you are describing. I played in the prerelease for MID and I brought a credit card; no Companion Mobile App or scanning a QR code required.
Maybe your LGS *is* mandating that but the experience thus far says that they are the outlier and not following any sort of directive from Wizards to do that.
I've actually talked to one of the managers at my LGS In-Person and she told me that the store isn't following any directive that would be discriminatory toward the players and customers within our local community. She understands that not everyone owns a smartphone for downloading free mobile apps regardless of whether or not If they're Paper Magic players. Besides, Wizards of the Coast / Hasbro couldn't really force this on any LGS regardless of how big they are as a corporate conglomerate but it's times like these that makes me feel grateful for sticking to the Casual side of Paper Magic more than Competitive with everything that's been happening in the last 18+ months up to this point. The company is so out of touch with the Competitive side of Paper Magic that all they're really doing is pushing more power creep to sell more new cards to EDH / Commander players.
Haven't been keeping up too much with Arena and Standard bans as of late especially Modern but it's not as bad as it was in previous years. At least this situation I've been through will make me think twice before purchasing another Pre-Release Kit without having to attend an event If this is the way Wizards of the Coast / Hasbro wants this to be. Since the Companion mobile app isn't what's keeping Paper Magic players at my LGS from playing in Standard events then it's most likely due to other factors with players having to work more hours due to staff shortages with more Americans quitting their jobs as of late. We did have a turnout of over 30 players in our last In-Person Pre-Release Event for Innistrad: Midnight Hunt. Other than that, Organized Play isn't really what it once was Pre-COVID as you can already tell. Were not quite at the finish line just yet but we're getting really close.
Private Mod Note
():
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
America Bless Christ Jesus
"Restriction breeds creativity." - Sheldon Menery on EDH / Commander in Magic: The Gathering
"Cancel Culture is the real reason why everyone's not allowed to have nice things anymore." - Anonymous
"For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world, and loses his own soul?" - Mark 8:36
"Most men and women will grow up to love their servitude and will never dream of revolution." - Aldous Huxley, Brave New World
"Every life decision is always a risk / reward proposition." - Sanjay Gupta
I've actually talked to one of the managers at my LGS In-Person and she told me that the store isn't following any directive that would be discriminatory toward the players and customers within our local community. She understands that not everyone owns a smartphone for downloading free mobile apps regardless of whether or not If they're Paper Magic players. Besides, Wizards of the Coast / Hasbro couldn't really force this on any LGS regardless of how big they are as a corporate conglomerate but it's times like these that makes me feel grateful for sticking to the Casual side of Paper Magic more than Competitive with everything that's been happening in the last 18+ months up to this point. The company is so out of touch with the Competitive side of Paper Magic that all they're really doing is pushing more power creep to sell more new cards to EDH / Commander players.
Haven't been keeping up too much with Arena and Standard bans as of late especially Modern but it's not as bad as it was in previous years. At least this situation I've been through will make me think twice before purchasing another Pre-Release Kit without having to attend an event If this is the way Wizards of the Coast / Hasbro wants this to be. Since the Companion mobile app isn't what's keeping Paper Magic players at my LGS from playing in Standard events then it's most likely due to other factors with players having to work more hours due to staff shortages with more Americans quitting their jobs as of late. We did have a turnout of over 30 players in our last In-Person Pre-Release Event for Innistrad: Midnight Hunt. Other than that, Organized Play isn't really what it once was Pre-COVID as you can already tell. Were not quite at the finish line just yet but we're getting really close.
huh? i think this is making an issue where none exists for the sake of making an issue.
i walked in, bought a kit by paying with money, and that was it. transaction done. i got my kit, the store got its money. everyone else did the same. no scanning of anything required by anyone.
like, what qr code are you even talking about? are you sure you aren't mistakenly thinking of the key to unlock the 6 free boosters on arena? your story also doesn't seem to add up since even the clerks seem to have been confused by what you were asking and didn't issue you a refund.
there is no required qr code scanning for purchase. you get a prerelease kit of boosters in exchange for money. no extra steps. same as always.
are you sure you aren't mistakenly thinking of the key to unlock the 6 free boosters on arena?
Yep. Unlocking the 6 free booster packs on Arena was what it was. Didn't realize it until you just told me.
Private Mod Note
():
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
America Bless Christ Jesus
"Restriction breeds creativity." - Sheldon Menery on EDH / Commander in Magic: The Gathering
"Cancel Culture is the real reason why everyone's not allowed to have nice things anymore." - Anonymous
"For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world, and loses his own soul?" - Mark 8:36
"Most men and women will grow up to love their servitude and will never dream of revolution." - Aldous Huxley, Brave New World
"Every life decision is always a risk / reward proposition." - Sanjay Gupta
So now If you're wanting to enter an Officially Sanctioned Paper Magic Tournament like a Pre-Release, Grand Prix (which is apparently coming back according to the Magic Historian on YouTube), or Standard Tournament then a smartphone device is mandatory to use the Companion mobile app.
Note: Companion is an awesome way to make accessing tournaments faster, easier, and more accessible. However, if mobile apps aren't your thing, that's okay! You never have to use Companion to play Magic at your favorite store or event; it's simply a value-added experience that works on top of the organized play experience you're already familiar with.
Get your facts straight before you make unfounded claims and please stop spreading these silly conspiracy theories.
Private Mod Note
():
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
To post a comment, please login or register a new account.
I can't help but wonder If QR code scans are going to be the new normal for purchasing Pre-Release Kits for those who choose not to participate in Pre-Release Events due to the pandemic. Last time I purchased a Pre-Release Kit in the past a smartphone QR code scan wasn't even a requirement to pay for it. There's no law stating that you can't buy or sell without scanning a QR code with a smartphone device. I was worried that the QR code scan wasn't optional but since it appears that it is then I don't really have anything to worry about unless it somehow becomes mandatory. Has anyone here had any troubles with this that don't own smartphones? I'm part of the minority but still I have my reasons for not owning a smartphone though I do carry a regular phone.
"Restriction breeds creativity." - Sheldon Menery on EDH / Commander in Magic: The Gathering
"Cancel Culture is the real reason why everyone's not allowed to have nice things anymore." - Anonymous
"For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world, and loses his own soul?" - Mark 8:36
"Most men and women will grow up to love their servitude and will never dream of revolution." - Aldous Huxley, Brave New World
"Every life decision is always a risk / reward proposition." - Sanjay Gupta
STOP using "dude/bro" as a pejorative or insult. Grow up.
Margaret Thatcher: “The problem with socialism is that you eventually run out of other people's money.”
Benjamin Franklin: "Those who would give up essential Liberty, to purchase a little temporary Safety, deserve neither Liberty nor Safety."
Martin Luther King Jr.: "I have a dream that my four little children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin, but by the content of their character."
"Restriction breeds creativity." - Sheldon Menery on EDH / Commander in Magic: The Gathering
"Cancel Culture is the real reason why everyone's not allowed to have nice things anymore." - Anonymous
"For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world, and loses his own soul?" - Mark 8:36
"Most men and women will grow up to love their servitude and will never dream of revolution." - Aldous Huxley, Brave New World
"Every life decision is always a risk / reward proposition." - Sanjay Gupta
Nope. Nor have they for the last few pre-release dates for take home play. It may have something to do if you want to claim points or participation towards your DCI account potentially. My store is just happy to get the sale. Remember the stores have already purchased these from WotC and are theirs to sell as they wish.
STOP using "dude/bro" as a pejorative or insult. Grow up.
Margaret Thatcher: “The problem with socialism is that you eventually run out of other people's money.”
Benjamin Franklin: "Those who would give up essential Liberty, to purchase a little temporary Safety, deserve neither Liberty nor Safety."
Martin Luther King Jr.: "I have a dream that my four little children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin, but by the content of their character."
"Restriction breeds creativity." - Sheldon Menery on EDH / Commander in Magic: The Gathering
"Cancel Culture is the real reason why everyone's not allowed to have nice things anymore." - Anonymous
"For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world, and loses his own soul?" - Mark 8:36
"Most men and women will grow up to love their servitude and will never dream of revolution." - Aldous Huxley, Brave New World
"Every life decision is always a risk / reward proposition." - Sanjay Gupta
I found this on Newsweek of all places.
https://www.newsweek.com/magic-gathering-retires-dci-planeswalkers-points-players-chagrin-1500475
STOP using "dude/bro" as a pejorative or insult. Grow up.
Margaret Thatcher: “The problem with socialism is that you eventually run out of other people's money.”
Benjamin Franklin: "Those who would give up essential Liberty, to purchase a little temporary Safety, deserve neither Liberty nor Safety."
Martin Luther King Jr.: "I have a dream that my four little children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin, but by the content of their character."
This explains why there's not as many Paper Magic players showing up to play Standard recently because of the Companion mobile app mandate that Wizards of the Coast / Hasbro is trying to enforce on these players and Local Game Stores who are WPN approved. All this is going to do is drive away sales for these Local Game Stores who are trying to profit off of these Sanctioned Events that will eventually make it harder for new players to get into Paper Magic unless they're okay with owning a smartphone device for a mobile app mandate. Whatever happened to just paying an entry fee to enter an In-Person Tournament but no they had to throw in a mandate over something that really should be a players right to choose to begin with. I don't see companies like Konami, Bushiroad, and Pokémon Company International enforcing these kinds of mobile app mandates for Organized Play in regards to Yu-Gi-Oh!, Cardfight!! Vanguard, and Pokémon TCG. I don't think smartphone mobile apps should be mandatory for buying or selling items when monetary exchanges through cash, credit, or debt SHOULD be enough.
"Restriction breeds creativity." - Sheldon Menery on EDH / Commander in Magic: The Gathering
"Cancel Culture is the real reason why everyone's not allowed to have nice things anymore." - Anonymous
"For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world, and loses his own soul?" - Mark 8:36
"Most men and women will grow up to love their servitude and will never dream of revolution." - Aldous Huxley, Brave New World
"Every life decision is always a risk / reward proposition." - Sanjay Gupta
Maybe your LGS *is* mandating that but the experience thus far says that they are the outlier and not following any sort of directive from Wizards to do that.
Haven't been keeping up too much with Arena and Standard bans as of late especially Modern but it's not as bad as it was in previous years. At least this situation I've been through will make me think twice before purchasing another Pre-Release Kit without having to attend an event If this is the way Wizards of the Coast / Hasbro wants this to be. Since the Companion mobile app isn't what's keeping Paper Magic players at my LGS from playing in Standard events then it's most likely due to other factors with players having to work more hours due to staff shortages with more Americans quitting their jobs as of late. We did have a turnout of over 30 players in our last In-Person Pre-Release Event for Innistrad: Midnight Hunt. Other than that, Organized Play isn't really what it once was Pre-COVID as you can already tell. Were not quite at the finish line just yet but we're getting really close.
"Restriction breeds creativity." - Sheldon Menery on EDH / Commander in Magic: The Gathering
"Cancel Culture is the real reason why everyone's not allowed to have nice things anymore." - Anonymous
"For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world, and loses his own soul?" - Mark 8:36
"Most men and women will grow up to love their servitude and will never dream of revolution." - Aldous Huxley, Brave New World
"Every life decision is always a risk / reward proposition." - Sanjay Gupta
huh? i think this is making an issue where none exists for the sake of making an issue.
i walked in, bought a kit by paying with money, and that was it. transaction done. i got my kit, the store got its money. everyone else did the same. no scanning of anything required by anyone.
like, what qr code are you even talking about? are you sure you aren't mistakenly thinking of the key to unlock the 6 free boosters on arena? your story also doesn't seem to add up since even the clerks seem to have been confused by what you were asking and didn't issue you a refund.
there is no required qr code scanning for purchase. you get a prerelease kit of boosters in exchange for money. no extra steps. same as always.
"Restriction breeds creativity." - Sheldon Menery on EDH / Commander in Magic: The Gathering
"Cancel Culture is the real reason why everyone's not allowed to have nice things anymore." - Anonymous
"For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world, and loses his own soul?" - Mark 8:36
"Most men and women will grow up to love their servitude and will never dream of revolution." - Aldous Huxley, Brave New World
"Every life decision is always a risk / reward proposition." - Sanjay Gupta
No it isn't mandatory. From here: https://magic.wizards.com/en/articles/archive/magic-companion-updates/companion-launch-2020-07-15
Get your facts straight before you make unfounded claims and please stop spreading these silly conspiracy theories.