This community was founded in September of 2004 in case we ever needed it, and recently it seems we have. But our history starts long before that. It's time to go back:
In the late 90s, Ray Yu (Also known as DG) started an MTG Fansite called Land of Destoguardania. It was a small news site with a forum which he personally maintained. Eventually it become part of a webring called the CCGNews Network. Then, in 2002, the site changed to the Virtual Bulletin forum software (VB) that we (and News) use today and was officialy renamed to MTGNews.
Then, in late 2002, Ray Yu was involved in a motorcycle accident. By this time he had hired many independant moderators (Such as Rancored_Elf and JeffVondruska, as well as Darth Cow and many others) who were able to take care of his site during his absence. Unfortunately, that was the beginning of the end of his run on the website. From that point on, he was never very active in the site maintenence, and the moderators pretty much controlled the entire forum system, as well as the front page.
Finally, in early 2004, DG decided to retire his website. He intended to move the entire site offline and cut all ties to the forums. He planned to give the forums away, but he eventually changed his mind and said he'd sell them. By this time, two moderators (Rancored_Elf, and JeffVondruska) had begun a paypal account to keep the site running, and were accepting member donations towards their cause. Unfortunately, their efforts failed, and the administrative team agreed with DG that it would be best if Greg (Raa) of FindMagicCards.com purchased the site.
The Fall of MTGNews
Under the owner of FindMagicCards.com, who called himself Raa on the forum, the site rallied. This was our hope for a newer, better MTGNews than ever before. What we got was quite the opposite.
It started almost the day the transaction was complete. It took Raa a week to introduce himself to the community. It was decided by Raa to upgrade the forums to VB3 aa soon as possable. Due to events beyond anyone's control, in early march an error with viewing the forum made that upgrade a necessity, so it was done. Though the upgrade itself was most likely a good ide, the unfortunate backlash of it was that a lot of "hacks" implemented by Darth Cow and widely considered very important to the forum were deleted. This made quite a few people (especially those in the dice-rolling game, as dice were a hack) very upset. However, we were promised that we'd get our hacks back. As of yet we have not seen that.
Then things started happening. Bad things. There came the First Exodus, as I will call it because I am bored. Rancored_Elf, and JeffVondruska quit their moderation jobs due to Raa's lack of attention to the site. They still posted, they just didn't moderate. This angered Raa. In fact, he got so angry that he deleted all Rancored_Elf's posts about quitting. Which is unfortunate, because now I have no source material. But I know what happened. He called up his buddy Scott (Subterranian_Spirit), and asked him to moderate. Now Scott seemed nice to the community, but in the background, he taunted Rancored_Elf and JeffVondruska until an agreement was reached and they came back to the site as moderators.
An Uneasy Peace, Of Sorts
Eventually, Scott disappeared, and live returned to relative normalcy. Not normalcy as in pre-Raa normalcy, but post-Raa normalcy. Meaning little got accomplished as far as site maintenence. Now, this wasn't the best state of affairs, but at least we still had forums. But then problems started. In October, Rancored_Elf told Subterranian_Spirit in the Moderator Lounge that information he was asking for was clearly available to him. Now this displeased Subterranian_Spirit, so he suspended R_E for 24 hours until he apologised. Subterranian_Spirit also decided that "going behind his back" and talking to Raa was a bad thing. After a while, Rancored_Elf decided that he would not take this tyranny any longer, and set a date to quit. That date was January 1st, 2005. On this date, he and about half of the active moderating staff (Actually slightly more than half) left. They posted a message on the front page and they were gone. Upon seeing the meassge, Subterranian_Spirit promptly deleted it. The contents of the message follow:
Quote from Rancored_Elf on MTGNews front page »
Rancored_Elf wrote:
This message will be erased when it is noticed by "Raa" or "Subterranean_Spirit", the current owners of this site, as they have done with important unauthorized reports in the past. But for those of you who see it:
Most of the staff of this site has just resigned as of midnight EST. This includes:
Jeff_Vondruska (administrator)
rancored_elf (administrator)
Cateran (administrator)
most moderators and global moderators
I think most of you know why this happened. Many promises were made to us, and to you as users of this site, and they were not delivered. We are tired of apologizing and making excuses fo the owners who have done nothing to help this site. It went from the best site and forums (for several years straight) to a complete disaster. It is now not much more than an advertising vehicle of Shuffle and Cut.com and Findmagiccards.com.
We apologize to anyone this hurts - and we know that is a lot of people. But we feel that we are only continuing a grave disservice to the Magic community by allowing this to continue. We have all been lied to, manipulated, and tricked since February last year when Raa bought this site from DG. It's finally over.
As for rumors, I will not be continuing to provide this site with information I receive from my sources. I want to personally thank all the sources I've spoken with in the past - from the guy who gave me the complete Legions spoiler two months early to "a source we can trust" to the many people who provided me with just one little tidbit and then disappeared forever. I think WotC is breathing a sigh of relief and throwing a party... while a lot of people are more than a little upset about this. Please understand I do this not to harm you, but to make a statement to the owners who have destroyed MTGnews as it was. I love news and rumors as much as you do! I hope to see the spoilers up, somewhere on the internet, in plenty of time for the prereleases! Contact me on AIM sometime and maybe I'll have a new card or two to talk about! But you won't be seeing me post them in the Rumor Mill here.
I want to say a personal thank you to everyone I have met in my time here. I don't really believe in "internet friends" for the most part, but I can't help but think back very fondly on several hundred people or so that I've come to know. The staff, my clan, and all the members I've posted alongside. There have been some amazing times and I wish I could name all the people I've gotten to know, but that would lead to some names being missed, so I'll leave it at that. I hope we can keep in touch. Add me to your AIM (rancoredelf) or drop me an email (drutter AT hotmail DOT com). I can't speak for Jeff, Cateran, or the others, but I'm sure most of them would be glad to speak with you all as well.
Best of luck in 2005. Best wishes to you all.
rancored_elf, on behalf of the MTGnews administration and moderators.
When Scott saw this, he closed the MTGNews Forums for almost 8 hours and closed the article comment system, in addition to deleting the post and replacing it with his own. Members trying to sign in to MTGNews that afternoon had no idea what was going on, and went several places. The most popular seemed to be MTGSalvation, the site this article is posted on, which eventually even drew in Rancored_Elf. With this started a war.
MTG News Under Martial Law
Since the forums re-opened, MTGNews has been under martial law (A term used by Scott himself in a post at MTGNews). Registrations were disabled, and any mention of any rival site was punished hard and fast with a banning. THEDARKPRIESTCYRIC, a previous moderator, has been reassigned to moderation duties, despite the conditions of his firing earlier this year. Posts speaking out against Raa or Subterranian_Sprit, or posts talking about alternative sites, have been consistently purged from the system and their creators banned. More and more members have been moving to MTGSalvation, either exclusively, or in a dual-enrollment setup. The comments system for articles at MTGNews has been turning on and off at very short intervals due to advertisements for other sites. Overall, Subterranian_Spirit has been on "damage control" duties, which seem to amount to insulting Rancored_Elf and telling anyone who will listen what "Good Businessmen" do in his opinion. However, on MTGSalvation started a MTGNews Discussion forum, which quickly devolved into a forum more appropriately titled "Find As Many Bad Names As You Can To Call Subterranian_Spirit". Though not the most mature discussion forum ever, it was really the only place on the internet to get developing news on the situation.
The Fall of Subterranian_Spirit
On January 6th, 2005 at an unknown time, Raa demoted Subterranian_Spirit to the position of a normal member. All the recently baned accounts were unbanned, and life is slowly returning back to normal. Raa publically denounced S_S' actions and wrote a public list of moderator rules on the front page for all to see. He also promised that he would be more active in the community. It is still not clear precisely what this means, but at the very least, Subterranian_Spirit is out of power and life at 'News seems to be going normally once more.
EDIT: If there are any addendums to be made to this thread, please PM me and I will update it.
MTNews going to Vb3 = bad, 'cuz' no hacks.
MTGSalvation going to vB3 = good. Even without hacks.
Meh...
The difference there being that we're actively working to install hacks, whereas it took nine months for them to install even the most basic.
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Sing lustily and with good courage.
Be aware of singing as if you were half dead,
or half asleep:
but lift your voice with strength.
Be no more afraid of your voice now,
nor more ashamed of its being heard,
than when you sang the songs of Satan.
Interesing. Would you mind posting the many conversations that took place on the front page? There is a lot of material in there that is very important.
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By kingcobweb and Goblinboy.
Official Elitist of [thread=40859][RBS][/thread]
Quote from kingcobweb »
I don't understand the purpose of gimmick accounts.
Interesing. Would you mind posting the many conversations that took place on the front page? There is a lot of material in there that is very important.
I fear that they are too biased to be posted. The information in them is not valuable enough to justify posting all six pages (!) and editing them would only lead to bias.
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I have no extendo-sig. Sorry, I'm just not vain enough to think someone will click on it.
This is so bias it isn't funny. You assume that R_E is telling the truth. Me, I'm inclined to believe him. But if you are posting a history, then you have to be impartial.
This is so bias it isn't funny. You assume that R_E is telling the truth. Me, I'm inclined to believe him. But if you are posting a history, then you have to be impartial.
please. its plastik, hes horribly childish and rather irrelevant.
This history is really flawed. I don't know where do begin. Just don't pass it off as authoritative.
IM me if you want specifics (darthc0w).
As Kevy stated, it would definitely be interesting to hear more information regarding the history.
As someone very central to that history, your side of the story would definitely be of interest.
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Dacarnix
------------------
Don't say I'm out of touch with this rampant chaos - your reality
I know well what lies beyond my sleeping refuge - the nightmare I built my own world to escape
from "Imaginary" by Evanescence
It's good to know what's been going on lately, since I haven't been online here a lot.You say you founded this place in septembre 2004, did you already expect at that time that Mtgnews would 'fall'?
This is so bias it isn't funny. You assume that R_E is telling the truth. Me, I'm inclined to believe him. But if you are posting a history, then you have to be impartial.
Where? I mean, I intentionally didn't include anything from any "side", that's why it's so damn vague.
ZONEACE: I'd like to see you do better. Or, you know, be respected. Or do anything on this board other than insulting me.
Renier: No, it was, you know, just in case.
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I have no extendo-sig. Sorry, I'm just not vain enough to think someone will click on it.
Where? I mean, I intentionally didn't include anything from any "side", that's why it's so damn vague.
ZONEACE: I'd like to see you do better. Or, you know, be respected. Or do anything on this board other than insulting me.
Renier: No, it was, you know, just in case.
You included R_E's leaving speech, but not scott's response. If it was suffice enough to say that scott deleted it, without posting scott's own reasons, then it should be enough to post only that R_E left, and not his own motives, as he stated them.
You haven't done much to tell Scott's side of the story, which reeks of bias from where I'm sitting.
You included R_E's leaving speech, but not scott's response. If it was suffice enough to say that scott deleted it, without posting scott's own reasons, then it should be enough to post only that R_E left, and not his own motives, as he stated them.
You haven't done much to tell Scott's side of the story, which reeks of bias from where I'm sitting.
I haven't done much to say R_E's side of the story either. And besides, if you link me to Scott's post, I'll post it, but he kinda deleted it.
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I have no extendo-sig. Sorry, I'm just not vain enough to think someone will click on it.
What are some of the hack by DarthCow? I don't really remember using them, and never used the dice.
It's just a lot of minor stuff. Like not aving to click that little popup that shows up when you send a PM. You know, stuff like that which helps a forum run a little smoother. Trust me, it makes all the difference.
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I have no extendo-sig. Sorry, I'm just not vain enough to think someone will click on it.
That you so much for taking the time to post that.
I've only been following MTGNews for about 2 years so I never knew how bad it was.
But the move to hear has really made me appreciate how good a forum can be.
Thank you again.
The truth is that I visited it for a couple years, too. Back in the day, I'd login every other night, but right after the new layout and everything, the content just seemed to degrade by the hour.
Recently, I was visiting it because it was "spoiler season" and when I learned about R_E leaving the place, I had no reason to go back, he was about the only source for good info left there.
So here I am, wondering if I should go and close my account at MTGNews with a spectacular banning...
...or is there a last, messy job you guys would like me to do before blowin' my cover??? :-D
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I know the perfect guy for the third faction:
"When you show up to the Mirrodin Besieged Prerelease, you'll be asked to choose a faction: Mirran, Phyrexian, or Jaded A-Hole" Aaron Forsythe, on Twitter
Everything changes, nothing remains without a change - Buddha
I'd really like a detailed explanation of everything. It seems a little vague, as you mentioned you did on purpose to sound a little less biased. I guess I'd have to say that even though I'm going to be here instead of MTGNews, I just don't care in the way that some other people do here. It seems like everyone is blowing this whole thing out of proportion. It seems like everyone is being a complete baby in their own way. No one is being the better person and everyone involved is going over the edge. I guess what I'm saying is: "who cares?" Everyone's acting like MTGNews and/or MTGSalvation matter or something... they don't... they're not a big deal, either site. It's not like you're curing cancer. How can you get so mad and uppity about something so petty and meaningless? I'm only going to be here for the same reason I was at MTGNews: to get news on any Magic-related topic early, be it cards from unreleased sets, product information or price changes, YMTC, etc. It's not like I "care," and I'm not on anybody's "side."
To recap: what are the specifics? Did anything seriously bad happen? Did Scott hit on Darren's (is that R_E's name?) wife or something?
150,000+ have been killed in a flood recently, if you haven't checked a paper or the news in the last week, and you guys are bickering about a pointless website that reports on a meaningless game :-\
One last thing: all this talk about Subterranean Spirit, or Scott, reminds me of that episode of South Park when they all went to Canada to see the new Prime Minister, who turned out to be Saddam Hussein (I guess he took a sabbatical from Hell, I don't know). Well, everyone from Canada was nice except for the character named Scott, whom everyone on the show called a "dick." Very funny and seems to apply here quite nicely :-D
I believe someone else quoted the "Scott from Canada" thing from South Park before. I didn't quite get the reference, but that adds more light to it On a side note, nice avatar Zoneace.
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New Rules come out for 1999 6th Edition... "THEY'RE TURNING MAGIC INTO PORTAL! THE GAME IS RUINED! EVERYONE PETITION AND GET THEM TO CHANGE IT BACK!"
New Rules come out for 2010 Edition... "THEY'RE TURNING MAGIC INTO YU-GI-OH! THE GAME IS RUINED! EVERYONE PETITION AND GET THEM TO CHANGE IT BACK!"
New Rules come out for *Reserved for something in 2020* "THEY'RE TURNING MAGIC INTO *currently "simple" game by the more "skilled" players*! THE GAME IS..." etc.
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I have no extendo-sig. Sorry, I'm just not vain enough to think someone will click on it.
IM me if you want specifics (darthc0w).
Loonook = Nothing
Nothing > Jesus
Currently accepting disciples. Inquire within.
ORDER THE CAKE DAMNIT!
MTNews going to Vb3 = bad, 'cuz' no hacks.
MTGSalvation going to vB3 = good. Even without hacks.
Meh...
The difference there being that we're actively working to install hacks, whereas it took nine months for them to install even the most basic.
Be aware of singing as if you were half dead,
or half asleep:
but lift your voice with strength.
Be no more afraid of your voice now,
nor more ashamed of its being heard,
than when you sang the songs of Satan.
Fixed, oh, and read my post. I asked for PMs so you wouldn't look retarded. Now I fixed the post, and someone looks retarded. Not my fault.
I have no extendo-sig. Sorry, I'm just not vain enough to think someone will click on it.
By kingcobweb and Goblinboy.
Official Elitist of [thread=40859][RBS][/thread]
I fear that they are too biased to be posted. The information in them is not valuable enough to justify posting all six pages (!) and editing them would only lead to bias.
I have no extendo-sig. Sorry, I'm just not vain enough to think someone will click on it.
please. its plastik, hes horribly childish and rather irrelevant.
DotP
Plastik
As Kevy stated, it would definitely be interesting to hear more information regarding the history.
As someone very central to that history, your side of the story would definitely be of interest.
------------------
Don't say I'm out of touch with this rampant chaos - your reality
I know well what lies beyond my sleeping refuge - the nightmare I built my own world to escape
from "Imaginary" by Evanescence
Where? I mean, I intentionally didn't include anything from any "side", that's why it's so damn vague.
ZONEACE: I'd like to see you do better. Or, you know, be respected. Or do anything on this board other than insulting me.
Renier: No, it was, you know, just in case.
I have no extendo-sig. Sorry, I'm just not vain enough to think someone will click on it.
id love to stop insulting you, but you continue to act like a small child. GROW THE HELL UP YOU USELESS SPAMMING WHINER.
DotP
Plastik
You included R_E's leaving speech, but not scott's response. If it was suffice enough to say that scott deleted it, without posting scott's own reasons, then it should be enough to post only that R_E left, and not his own motives, as he stated them.
You haven't done much to tell Scott's side of the story, which reeks of bias from where I'm sitting.
I haven't done much to say R_E's side of the story either. And besides, if you link me to Scott's post, I'll post it, but he kinda deleted it.
I have no extendo-sig. Sorry, I'm just not vain enough to think someone will click on it.
It somewhere on the old retetched board. I'll dig it out when I have the time.
And I'll be much obliged to post it.
I have no extendo-sig. Sorry, I'm just not vain enough to think someone will click on it.
It's just a lot of minor stuff. Like not aving to click that little popup that shows up when you send a PM. You know, stuff like that which helps a forum run a little smoother. Trust me, it makes all the difference.
I have no extendo-sig. Sorry, I'm just not vain enough to think someone will click on it.
I've only been following MTGNews for about 2 years so I never knew how bad it was.
But the move to hear has really made me appreciate how good a forum can be.
Thank you again.
Recently, I was visiting it because it was "spoiler season" and when I learned about R_E leaving the place, I had no reason to go back, he was about the only source for good info left there.
So here I am, wondering if I should go and close my account at MTGNews with a spectacular banning...
...or is there a last, messy job you guys would like me to do before blowin' my cover??? :-D
"When you show up to the Mirrodin Besieged Prerelease, you'll be asked to choose a faction: Mirran, Phyrexian, or Jaded A-Hole" Aaron Forsythe, on Twitter
Everything changes, nothing remains without a change - Buddha
To recap: what are the specifics? Did anything seriously bad happen? Did Scott hit on Darren's (is that R_E's name?) wife or something?
150,000+ have been killed in a flood recently, if you haven't checked a paper or the news in the last week, and you guys are bickering about a pointless website that reports on a meaningless game :-\
One last thing: all this talk about Subterranean Spirit, or Scott, reminds me of that episode of South Park when they all went to Canada to see the new Prime Minister, who turned out to be Saddam Hussein (I guess he took a sabbatical from Hell, I don't know). Well, everyone from Canada was nice except for the character named Scott, whom everyone on the show called a "dick." Very funny and seems to apply here quite nicely :-D