The intent of Spellslinging is to make your Prerelease events even more cool and cozy than they already are, especially for those who donβt happen to do well during the main event. The Spellslinger is challenged by players who got more losses than wins in a one-game match, once per day. If a player wins, he gets a prize (a booster pack from an older set, for instance). Note that this concept was formerly known as "Gunslinging". The key idea behind this is to add an extra show to your event that is dedicated to the most casual players.
So this is their solution to the "people who don't do well and drop early have nothing to do" problem caused by their removal of drafts.
And a very interesting quote from the article:
Building the right deck: A wise Spellslinger will build a sub-optimal aggressive deck than a great control one. Playing aggressively offers more interactivity: games will be tenser, hence offering more show to the audience. Finally, with shorter games, the Spellslinger will be able to both improve the quality of advice given, and play against more players, who will most likely line up to make a challenge!
I think they've just spilled their current design philosophy.
Idk on that, the article mentions it's aimed at newer players many times, and draw-go isn't good for not only helping them understand the game (outside one annoying part). The goal is to have something that'll be fair, and a little bit challenging, but very much bearable unless you want to just hoard what would have been the prizes.
Going by the looks of it, it seems like both players use sealed decks, so that's pretty nifty.
pairing for playoff can now be random
Wizards link = http://www.wizards.com/WPN/Sales/Product.aspx?x=20110914_Spellslinging
And a very interesting quote from the article:
I think they've just spilled their current design philosophy.
Practice for Khans of Tarkir Limited:
Draft: (#1) (#2) (#3) (#4) (#5)
Going by the looks of it, it seems like both players use sealed decks, so that's pretty nifty.
This has NOTHING to do with removing drafts, as the information was sent out before the INNISTRAD Pre-release.