As I was driving to work today I heard on the radio that supposedly troops stationed over seas were given free magic the gathering cards. Apparently wizards shipped a bunch of cards to the troops at one point in time. I was curious if anyone else had heard about this? From the context of what they were saying, it sounded like it was a while back.
When I was in the military I had a hard time finding anyone that wanted to play. I am sure there are plenty of other guys who do play, but I'd consider them part of the minority. It seems cool, but it also seems like a weird move on Wizards part, to send deployed troops cards for a game that many of them probably wouldn't play.
Having never served, I'm speaking from personal opinion, but I'd say why wouldn't Wizards sent troops boxes of cards? They've got nothing to lose, if it catches on then the guys and gals over there have something to get into when they come home, I'm told it can be hard to adjust to life post service, Magic would be a good way to regulate.
Where on the radio were they talking about Magic? What was the context of the show?
As far as i know they have people in the military who play regularly when they can get a chance. I have a friend who was in the army named Shane and he even told me that he once got to go to a PTQ while on deployment in Afghanistan the service paid for it all. I think he said there is even a military magic orginization called M.A.N.A. it stands for marines, army, navy, and airforce.
When I was deployed myself and about 5 other soldiers bought some duel decks on ebay and had them shipped to us. It was actually where I first played magic. We would play in the cafeteria on our off times (wasn't much) and we'd have other soldiers watch and ask to learn to play. I'd say that is an awesome move on Wizards part!
First I've heard of it, but as others said it wouldn't surprise me if WotC did this.
I'm active duty and stationed in South Korea right now. There is a decent group of guys (and girls) that play here and it's been catching on with others. I already had a decent bit of disposable income back in the States but when your here and don't have a ton of bills, meals paid for and live in the dorms, well... let's just say I'm finally putting together a nice collection of Legacy staples that I've always wanted.
Having never served, I'm speaking from personal opinion, but I'd say why wouldn't Wizards sent troops boxes of cards? They've got nothing to lose, if it catches on then the guys and gals over there have something to get into when they come home, I'm told it can be hard to adjust to life post service, Magic would be a good way to regulate.
Where on the radio were they talking about Magic? What was the context of the show?
It was in Houston. The radio hosts were talking about the Walking Dead returning to TV and somehow they got on the subject of festivals. The radio show is a comedy show and they were joking around that there should be a zombie festival similar to the renaissance festival. From there, one of the radio show hosts replied that they were uncomfortable with people "losing touch with reality" and mentioned people who play magic the gathering. He asked if any of the other radio hosts had heard of the game and one responded that while he was serving they received a bunch of free cards (but it sounded like he served a while back). That was the broad context of the conversation, so it was really just mentioned as a side note.
I actually talked to a fellow, at my lgs, who received the cards when he was on active duty, he said it was back in the days of Alpha and Beta and that's what got him started in the game.
I'm not surprised that WotC did it, but I am surprised to hear about people in the military playing MTG. I had a number of Magic-playing friends that got out of the game for a while when they enlisted because they didn't want to risk damaging their cards in their travels. Every last one of 'em said there weren't very many MTG players but there were a lot of tabletop RPG players. I get the impression that it's more now than there used to be now that a soldier can have their entire RPG library on a tablet.
they use to have some kind of program just for military people if i'm not mistaken... that was way back though, i remember seeing something about it in an inquest from back in like 97/98 i think.
they use to have some kind of program just for military people if i'm not mistaken... that was way back though, i remember seeing something about it in an inquest from back in like 97/98 i think.
That Inquest reference totally rings a bell; I was wondering why I was thinking I had heard about this before.
As I was driving to work today I heard on the radio that supposedly troops stationed over seas were given free magic the gathering cards. Apparently wizards shipped a bunch of cards to the troops at one point in time. I was curious if anyone else had heard about this? From the context of what they were saying, it sounded like it was a while back.
I know people have shipped cards. Evan Erwin and some of his friends did that a few years ago.
I'm not surprised that WotC did it, but I am surprised to hear about people in the military playing MTG. I had a number of Magic-playing friends that got out of the game for a while when they enlisted because they didn't want to risk damaging their cards in their travels. Every last one of 'em said there weren't very many MTG players but there were a lot of tabletop RPG players. I get the impression that it's more now than there used to be now that a soldier can have their entire RPG library on a tablet.
It also just depends on what field you are in, for instance, computer programmers play video games d&d and mtg or other tcgs all the time
I would totally support/donate to any programs charities that do this. I have friends & family in the armed services, and I'm also fond of sharing my favorite game, so
I know that back during Desert Sheild/Desert Storm, Topps sent every military unit that was deployed to the conflict enough boxes that each service member was supposed to get one pack of baseball cards. They were from the 1991 Baseball set, and every one of the 792 cards in that set were given an alternate printing with a Desert Shield gold embossing in one corner of the card.
These packs rarely, if ever, made it to the actual troops, instead being kept by postal clerks (usually within the unit) who opened them and discovered what they were, and kept them for themselves. It was not until about a year later that it was publically noticed that this had happened, and most of the individuals had changed commands or left the service, and it was very difficult to prove that they were, indeed, the one who had done it.
Would or has Wizards done this? I would think it would do better for them to send out intro packs rather than booster boxes, if they wanted to get people interested in playing the game.
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Currently playing:
Standard: WBRG Aggro-Reanimator Humans GRBW
Modern: UR Twinning RU G Venus Fly Trap G U Artifacts Aggro U
In 1997 WOTC launched the MANA League. MANA stood for "Marines, Army, Navy, Air Force". It ran for a few seasons before petering out. I've got one of the playmats if anyone wants me to post pics.
I have 3 or 4 enlisted friends who play. It is spreading for the reasons stated above. Many of them have free time, lots of disposable income, and a need for mental stimulation. Also a deck doesn't take up a lot of space which many of them are quite limited on. I think that this would be an extremely smart thing for WOTC to do. It's a great PR move and it's the perfect demographic.
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The Collection:
Every English card ever printed: 99.02%
Arabian Nights through Lorwyn: Complete
Alpha: 94.2% Beta: 95.0%
Unlimited through M10: Complete
Would anyone be interested in putting together some care packages of cards for soldiers?
We could organize it and make it to where each box had a few 'starter' decks that we put together for them and some basic instructions.
Then we could toss in some other cards so they could modify the deck and whatnot.
As a person who served overseas, I can tell you that at least SOME of the soldiers/airman/marines/sailors that receive a package like this would be super grateful.
[EDIT] I'd even be willing to create a Facebook page/website where soldiers could sign up for the shipments...that way we are not blindly shipping product over there. [/EDIT]
That sounds like a pretty amazing idea to me. When my buddy went over to Iraq we sent him a couple of decks like this and he taught some guys to play and had a blast while sitting in tents at night.
In 1997 WOTC launched the MANA League. MANA stood for "Marines, Army, Navy, Air Force". It ran for a few seasons before petering out. I've got one of the playmats if anyone wants me to post pics.
Wizard will most definitely send deployed solders cards,i just emailed them yesterday april 13th and they emailed me back today that they are sending cards. When i recieve them i will make sure to put a picture up.
But who knows? You get bored on deployment.
Where on the radio were they talking about Magic? What was the context of the show?
GWUBRDraft my Old Border Nostalgia Cube! and/or The Little Pauper Cube That Could!RBUWG
Modern:WDeath & TaxesW | RUGRUG DelverRUG
Military deployed over sees get something near $1,000 a month combat pay plus free room and board, so they have nothing to spend it on.
Seems good.
I'm active duty and stationed in South Korea right now. There is a decent group of guys (and girls) that play here and it's been catching on with others. I already had a decent bit of disposable income back in the States but when your here and don't have a ton of bills, meals paid for and live in the dorms, well... let's just say I'm finally putting together a nice collection of Legacy staples that I've always wanted.
It was in Houston. The radio hosts were talking about the Walking Dead returning to TV and somehow they got on the subject of festivals. The radio show is a comedy show and they were joking around that there should be a zombie festival similar to the renaissance festival. From there, one of the radio show hosts replied that they were uncomfortable with people "losing touch with reality" and mentioned people who play magic the gathering. He asked if any of the other radio hosts had heard of the game and one responded that while he was serving they received a bunch of free cards (but it sounded like he served a while back). That was the broad context of the conversation, so it was really just mentioned as a side note.
GModern Belcher
GGreen Deck Wins
3I'm the King
RBlazeTron
That Inquest reference totally rings a bell; I was wondering why I was thinking I had heard about this before.
GWUBRDraft my Old Border Nostalgia Cube! and/or The Little Pauper Cube That Could!RBUWG
Modern:WDeath & TaxesW | RUGRUG DelverRUG
I know people have shipped cards. Evan Erwin and some of his friends did that a few years ago.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bVspSsWWFHg
It also just depends on what field you are in, for instance, computer programmers play video games d&d and mtg or other tcgs all the time
These packs rarely, if ever, made it to the actual troops, instead being kept by postal clerks (usually within the unit) who opened them and discovered what they were, and kept them for themselves. It was not until about a year later that it was publically noticed that this had happened, and most of the individuals had changed commands or left the service, and it was very difficult to prove that they were, indeed, the one who had done it.
http://www.baseball-cards.com/vintage-baseball-cards/1991-topps-desert-shield.shtml
Would or has Wizards done this? I would think it would do better for them to send out intro packs rather than booster boxes, if they wanted to get people interested in playing the game.
Standard:
WBRG Aggro-Reanimator Humans GRBW
Modern:
UR Twinning RU
G Venus Fly Trap G
U Artifacts Aggro U
Legacy:
B Reanimator B
WU Stoneblade UW
EDH
WBGGhave, Guru of SporesGBW
URGRiku of the Two ReflectionsGRU
WUBRGScion of the Ur-DragonGRBUW
Casual
Far too many to list
I have 3 or 4 enlisted friends who play. It is spreading for the reasons stated above. Many of them have free time, lots of disposable income, and a need for mental stimulation. Also a deck doesn't take up a lot of space which many of them are quite limited on. I think that this would be an extremely smart thing for WOTC to do. It's a great PR move and it's the perfect demographic.
Every English card ever printed: 99.02%
Arabian Nights through Lorwyn: Complete
Alpha: 94.2% Beta: 95.0%
Unlimited through M10: Complete
[Clan Flamingo]
Standard:
RW Boros devotion/Purphoros combo
RGB Jund Midrange
Modern:
WB Martyr.proc
We could organize it and make it to where each box had a few 'starter' decks that we put together for them and some basic instructions.
Then we could toss in some other cards so they could modify the deck and whatnot.
As a person who served overseas, I can tell you that at least SOME of the soldiers/airman/marines/sailors that receive a package like this would be super grateful.
[EDIT] I'd even be willing to create a Facebook page/website where soldiers could sign up for the shipments...that way we are not blindly shipping product over there. [/EDIT]
I would like to see it!
matter of fact thats how i found MTG