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'''[http://www.magicthegathering.com/ Magicthegathering.com]''' (also refered to as '''DailyMTG.com''') is the official website for the game of ''[[Magic: The Gathering]]'' and a subpage of [http://www.wizards.com/ www.wizards.com], the official homepage of [[Wizards of the Coast]]. It features columns by [[R&D]] members and prominent ''Magic'' players. <ref>{{NewRef|making-magic/turning-ten-2012-01-02|Turning Ten|[[Mark Rosewater]]|January 02, 2012}}</ref> <ref>{{NewRef|feature/im-just-article-2012-02-27|I'm Just an Article|[[Trick Jarrett]]|February 27, 2012}}</ref>
'''[http://www.magicthegathering.com/ Magicthegathering.com]''' (also refered to as '''DailyMTG.com''') is the official website for the game of ''[[Magic: The Gathering]]'' and a subpage of [http://www.wizards.com/ www.wizards.com], the official homepage of [[Wizards of the Coast]]. It features columns by [[R&D]] members and prominent ''Magic'' players.<ref>{{NewRef|making-magic/turning-ten-2012-01-02|Turning Ten|[[Mark Rosewater]]|January 02, 2012}}</ref><ref>{{NewRef|feature/im-just-article-2012-02-27|I'm Just an Article|[[Trick Jarrett]]|February 27, 2012}}</ref>


==History==
==History==
===Start===
===Start===
Magicthegathering.com followed up on ''[[The Duelist|Duelist Online]]''. It went online in early 2000, but the first page was not ''Magic'' specific ([http://web.archive.org/web/20000520093417/http://www.magicthegathering.com/ May 30, 2000 edition]).  The first ''Magic'' specific page went online in early 2001 around the time of ''[[7th Edition]]'' ([http://web.archive.org/web/20010410234348/www.wizards.com/magic/ April 30, 2001]). The site moved to a column format (ala newspaper looking) in [http://web.archive.org/web/20020119225509/www.wizards.com/default.asp?x=mtgcom/welcome early 2002]. When web editor [[Aaron Forsythe]] left in 2003 to become part of [[R&D]], it was considered to merge the site with [[Magic Online]] and the [[Sideboard#Magazine|Sideboard]] website. <ref>{{NewRef|feature/future-magicthegatheringcom-2003-10-08|The Future of MagicTheGathering.com|Daniel Stahl|October 08, 2003}}</ref> This was effectuated in early 2004, when [[Scott Johns]] took over. <ref>{{NewRef|feature/new-chapter-2004-01-19|A New Chapter|[[Scott Johns]]|January 19, 2004}}</ref> <ref>{{NewRef|feature/new-magic-gatheringcom-2004-02-09|The New Magic The Gathering.com|[[Doug Beyer]]|February 16, 2004}}</ref> <ref>{{NewRef|feature/site-redesign-follow-2004-02-16|Site Redesign Follow-Up|[[Doug Beyer]]|February 16, 2004}}</ref> <ref>{{NewRef|past-present-future-2005-03-21|Past, Present, Future|[[Scott Johns]]|March 21, 2005}}</ref>  
Magicthegathering.com followed up on ''[[The Duelist|Duelist Online]]''. It went online in early 2000, but the first page was not ''Magic'' specific ([http://web.archive.org/web/20000520093417/http://www.magicthegathering.com/ May 30, 2000 edition]).  The first ''Magic'' specific page went online in early 2001 around the time of ''[[7th Edition]]'' ([http://web.archive.org/web/20010410234348/www.wizards.com/magic/ April 30, 2001]). The site moved to a column format (ala newspaper looking) in [http://web.archive.org/web/20020119225509/www.wizards.com/default.asp?x=mtgcom/welcome early 2002]. When web editor [[Aaron Forsythe]] left in 2003 to become part of [[R&D]], it was considered to merge the site with [[Magic Online]] and the [[Sideboard#Magazine|Sideboard]] website.<ref>{{NewRef|feature/future-magicthegatheringcom-2003-10-08|The Future of MagicTheGathering.com|Daniel Stahl|October 08, 2003}}</ref> This was effectuated in early 2004, when [[Scott Johns]] took over.<ref>{{NewRef|feature/new-chapter-2004-01-19|A New Chapter|[[Scott Johns]]|January 19, 2004}}</ref><ref>{{NewRef|feature/new-magic-gatheringcom-2004-02-09|The New Magic The Gathering.com|[[Doug Beyer]]|February 16, 2004}}</ref><ref>{{NewRef|feature/site-redesign-follow-2004-02-16|Site Redesign Follow-Up|[[Doug Beyer]]|February 16, 2004}}</ref><ref>{{NewRef|past-present-future-2005-03-21|Past, Present, Future|[[Scott Johns]]|March 21, 2005}}</ref>  
===Facelifts===
===Facelifts===
Further facelifts and updates followed in August 2005 <ref>{{NewRef|feature/ten-reasons-facelift-2005-08-08|Ten Reasons for a Facelift|[[Doug Beyer]]|August 08, 2005}}</ref>, July 2006 <ref>{{NewRef|taking-you-beginning-last-2006-07-08-0|Taking You To The Beginning, At Last|[[Scott Johns]]|July 08, 2006}}</ref> and September 2006. <ref>{{NewRef|feature/change-horizon-2006-09-13|Change On The Horizon|[[Scott Johns]]|September 13, 2006}}</ref> A complete overhaul of the site was achieved in August 2008. <ref>{{NewRef|feature/new-magicthegatheringcom-2008-08-18|The New Magicthegathering.com|[[Scott Johns]]|August 18, 2008}}</ref> <ref>{{NewRef|gone-today-new-site-shortly-2008-08-25|Gone Today, New Site Shortly|[[Scott Johns]]|August 25, 2008}}</ref> After Scott Johns, [[Kelly Digges]] managed the site.  Since 2012, [[Trick Jarrett]] and [[Mike McArtor]] were the content managers. <ref>{{NewRef|feature/editors-notes—changing-lineup-2012-03-26|Editor's Notes—Changing the Lineup|[[Trick Jarrett]]|March 26, 2012}}</ref> <ref>{{NewRef|feature/perilous-realms-and-more-2012-06-25|Perilous Realms and More|[[Trick Jarrett]]|June 25, 2012}}</ref> <ref>{{NewRef|feature/four-new-faces-2012-12-14|Four New Faces|[[Trick Jarrett]]|December 14, 2012}}</ref>  
Further facelifts and updates followed in August 2005,<ref>{{NewRef|feature/ten-reasons-facelift-2005-08-08|Ten Reasons for a Facelift|[[Doug Beyer]]|August 08, 2005}}</ref> July 2006 <ref>{{NewRef|taking-you-beginning-last-2006-07-08-0|Taking You To The Beginning, At Last|[[Scott Johns]]|July 08, 2006}}</ref> and September 2006.<ref>{{NewRef|feature/change-horizon-2006-09-13|Change On The Horizon|[[Scott Johns]]|September 13, 2006}}</ref> A complete overhaul of the site was achieved in August 2008.<ref>{{NewRef|feature/new-magicthegatheringcom-2008-08-18|The New Magicthegathering.com|[[Scott Johns]]|August 18, 2008}}</ref><ref>{{NewRef|gone-today-new-site-shortly-2008-08-25|Gone Today, New Site Shortly|[[Scott Johns]]|August 25, 2008}}</ref> After Scott Johns, [[Kelly Digges]] managed the site.  Since 2012, [[Trick Jarrett]] and [[Mike McArtor]] were the content managers.<ref>{{NewRef|feature/editors-notes—changing-lineup-2012-03-26|Editor's Notes—Changing the Lineup|[[Trick Jarrett]]|March 26, 2012}}</ref><ref>{{NewRef|feature/perilous-realms-and-more-2012-06-25|Perilous Realms and More|[[Trick Jarrett]]|June 25, 2012}}</ref><ref>{{NewRef|feature/four-new-faces-2012-12-14|Four New Faces|[[Trick Jarrett]]|December 14, 2012}}</ref>  
===Rasmussen era===
===Rasmussen era===
In 2014, [[Blake Rasmussen]] became copy editor-in-chief and the site was completely revamped, again. Changes included a responsive design for an improved browsing experience on any web-connected device, a rich and interconnected story section, a new calendar, an improved search functionality and a more robust experience for visitors reading in non-English languages. <ref>{{NewRef|welcome-new-magic-site-2014-06-17|Welcome to the New Magic Site!|[[Trick Jarrett]]|June 17, 2014}}</ref> The revamped site wasn't functioning very well in the first weeks and met with a lot of criticism. This led to another complete redesign, only six months later. <ref>{{NewRef|feature/new-look-new-feel-2014-12-11|A New Look; A New Feel|[[Trick Jarrett]]|December 11, 2014}}</ref> In January 2016 Rasmussen let go of the strict weekly format of the site. The roster of authors and the range of content were expanded, and the site now could be updated several times a day at irregular intervals. Rasmussen introduced the ''Daily Magic Update'', retired ''Magic Arcana'' and rechristened ''[[Uncharted Realms]]'' to the rather bland ''"Official ''Magic'' Fiction"'' (later ''Magic'' Story). <ref>{{NewRef|news/new-year-new-dailymtg-2016-01-11|A New Year, a New DailyMTG|[[Blake Rasmussen]]|January 11, 2016}}</ref> "Daily Magic Update" was expanded upon in the November 2017 update, making use of the newst web design technology.<ref>{{NewRef|news/new-dailymtg-2017-11-09|The New DailyMTG|[[Blake Rasmussen]]|November 9, 2017}}</ref><ref>{{NewRef|news/welcome-new-dailymtg-2017-11-29|Welcome to the New DailyMTG|[[Blake Rasmussen]]|November 29, 2017}}</ref>
In 2014, [[Blake Rasmussen]] became copy editor-in-chief and the site was completely revamped, again. Changes included a responsive design for an improved browsing experience on any web-connected device, a rich and interconnected story section, a new calendar, an improved search functionality and a more robust experience for visitors reading in non-English languages.<ref>{{NewRef|welcome-new-magic-site-2014-06-17|Welcome to the New Magic Site!|[[Trick Jarrett]]|June 17, 2014}}</ref> The revamped site wasn't functioning very well in the first weeks and met with a lot of criticism. This led to another complete redesign, only six months later.<ref>{{NewRef|feature/new-look-new-feel-2014-12-11|A New Look; A New Feel|[[Trick Jarrett]]|December 11, 2014}}</ref> In January 2016 Rasmussen let go of the strict weekly format of the site. The roster of authors and the range of content were expanded, and the site now could be updated several times a day at irregular intervals. Rasmussen introduced the ''Daily Magic Update'', retired ''Magic Arcana'' and rechristened ''[[Uncharted Realms]]'' to the rather bland ''"Official ''Magic'' Fiction"'' (later ''Magic'' Story).<ref>{{NewRef|news/new-year-new-dailymtg-2016-01-11|A New Year, a New DailyMTG|[[Blake Rasmussen]]|January 11, 2016}}</ref> "Daily Magic Update" was expanded upon in the November 2017 update, making use of the newst web design technology.<ref>{{NewRef|news/new-dailymtg-2017-11-09|The New DailyMTG|[[Blake Rasmussen]]|November 9, 2017}}</ref><ref>{{NewRef|news/welcome-new-dailymtg-2017-11-29|Welcome to the New DailyMTG|[[Blake Rasmussen]]|November 29, 2017}}</ref>


==Notable content==
==Notable content==
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The '''Lexicon''' was another regular part of ''Magic Arcana''.  The Lexicons were articles that defined words used in card titles.  For instance, the [http://magic.wizards.com/en/articles/archive/arcana/shards-alara-lexicon-2008-10-29 last entry] lists a caldera ''noun'' as "A large crater formed by volcanic explosion or by collapse of a volcanic cone."
The '''Lexicon''' was another regular part of ''Magic Arcana''.  The Lexicons were articles that defined words used in card titles.  For instance, the [http://magic.wizards.com/en/articles/archive/arcana/shards-alara-lexicon-2008-10-29 last entry] lists a caldera ''noun'' as "A large crater formed by volcanic explosion or by collapse of a volcanic cone."


The 1000th ''Magic Arcana'' was updated on January 25, 2006. <ref name="Magic Arcana #1000"/>
The 1000th ''Magic Arcana'' was updated on January 25, 2006.<ref name="Magic Arcana #1000"/>


===Ask Wizards===
===Ask Wizards===
[http://www.wizards.com/Magic/Magazine/Archive.aspx?tag=askwizards&description=ask%20wizards '''Ask Wizards'''] is a section of the magicthegathering.com site that answers sent-in questions of the public. It changed from daily, to weekly (allowing for staff holidays.) <ref>{{NewRef|arcana/ask-wizards-2008-11-13|Ask Wizards?|[[Magic Arcana]]|November 13, 2008}}</ref> <ref name="In the Beginning..."/> In 2014 it became a monthly feature. <ref>{{NewRef|ask-wizards-tuesday-june-17-2014-06-17|Ask Wizards - Tuesday, June 17|[[Mike McArtor]]|June 17, 2014}}</ref> Later it disappeared alltogether.
[http://www.wizards.com/Magic/Magazine/Archive.aspx?tag=askwizards&description=ask%20wizards '''Ask Wizards'''] is a section of the magicthegathering.com site that answers sent-in questions of the public. It changed from daily, to weekly (allowing for staff holidays.) <ref name="In the Beginning..."/><ref>{{NewRef|arcana/ask-wizards-2008-11-13|Ask Wizards?|[[Magic Arcana]]|November 13, 2008}}</ref> In 2014 it became a monthly feature.<ref>{{NewRef|ask-wizards-tuesday-june-17-2014-06-17|Ask Wizards - Tuesday, June 17|[[Mike McArtor]]|June 17, 2014}}</ref> Later it disappeared alltogether.


===Card of the Day===
===Card of the Day===
Every weekday day, '''Card of the Day''' was updated with a ''[[Magic: The Gathering|Magic]]'' card with an interesting factoid or two; this feature provided readers with "inside" scoops and Easter Eggs. <ref>{{NewRef|making-magic/hidden-treasures-2006-12-11|Hidden Treasures|[[Mark Rosewater]]|December 11, 2006}}</ref> The chosen card often related to the theme of the week, if there was one, or the other cards chosen during that week.
Every weekday day, '''Card of the Day''' was updated with a ''[[Magic: The Gathering|Magic]]'' card with an interesting factoid or two; this feature provided readers with "inside" scoops and Easter Eggs.<ref>{{NewRef|making-magic/hidden-treasures-2006-12-11|Hidden Treasures|[[Mark Rosewater]]|December 11, 2006}}</ref> The chosen card often related to the theme of the week, if there was one, or the other cards chosen during that week.
===FlavOracle===
===FlavOracle===
The FlavOracle was a pendant of the [[Oracle]], a document that housed the official [[flavor text]] for every ''Magic'' card ([[basic set]]s, [[expansion|expansion sets]], and [[promotional card]]s).<ref>{{NewRef|feature/flavoracle-2002-03-21|The FlavOracle|[[Wizards of the Coast]]|March 21, 2002}}</ref><ref>{{NewRef|feature/flavoracle-legal-text-2002-03-22|FlavOracle Legal Text|[[Wizards of the Coast]]|March 22, 2002}}</ref> In addition, MagicTheGathering.com ran an ongoing feature that allowed readers to submit flavor text for older cards. After a screening process, a popular vote would determine the eventual winner for each card, and the winning text would be added into the FlavOracle.<ref>{{NewRef|feature/playing-checkers-superman-2002-07-11|Playing Checkers with Superman|The Ferrett|July 11, 2002}}</ref> The FlavOracle was introduced in March, 2002.<ref>{{NewRef|feature/flavoracle-2002-03-22|The FlavOracle|[[Mark Rosewater]]|March 22, 2002}}</ref> and used to provide flavor text for six cards in ''[[Eighth Edition]]''.<ref>{{NewRef|selecting-eighth-edition-2002-07-12|Selecting ''Eighth Edition''|[[Aaron Forsythe]]|July 12, 2002}}</ref><ref>{{NewRef|selecting-eighth-edition-wrapup-2002-11-25|Selecting ''Eighth Edition'' Wrapup|[[Aaron Forsythe]]|November 25, 2002}}</ref> It was already retired by December 2004, because of lack of interest.<ref>{{NewRef|perspectives-writing-grunt-2004-12-27|Perspectives of a Writing Grunt|[[Jay Moldenhauer-Salazar]]|December 27, 2004}}</ref><ref>{{TumblrRef|author=[[Mark Rosewater]]|URL=http://markrosewater.tumblr.com/post/34844640096/what-ever-happened-to-the-flavoracle|title=What ever happened to the Flavoracle?|tumblr-title=Blogatog|date=November 02, 2012}}</ref>
The FlavOracle was a pendant of the [[Oracle]], a document that housed the official [[flavor text]] for every ''Magic'' card ([[basic set]]s, [[expansion|expansion sets]], and [[promotional card]]s).<ref>{{NewRef|feature/flavoracle-2002-03-21|The FlavOracle|[[Wizards of the Coast]]|March 21, 2002}}</ref><ref>{{NewRef|feature/flavoracle-legal-text-2002-03-22|FlavOracle Legal Text|[[Wizards of the Coast]]|March 22, 2002}}</ref> In addition, MagicTheGathering.com ran an ongoing feature that allowed readers to submit flavor text for older cards. After a screening process, a popular vote would determine the eventual winner for each card, and the winning text would be added into the FlavOracle.<ref>{{NewRef|feature/playing-checkers-superman-2002-07-11|Playing Checkers with Superman|The Ferrett|July 11, 2002}}</ref> The FlavOracle was introduced in March, 2002.<ref>{{NewRef|feature/flavoracle-2002-03-22|The FlavOracle|[[Mark Rosewater]]|March 22, 2002}}</ref> and used to provide flavor text for six cards in ''[[Eighth Edition]]''.<ref>{{NewRef|selecting-eighth-edition-2002-07-12|Selecting ''Eighth Edition''|[[Aaron Forsythe]]|July 12, 2002}}</ref><ref>{{NewRef|selecting-eighth-edition-wrapup-2002-11-25|Selecting ''Eighth Edition'' Wrapup|[[Aaron Forsythe]]|November 25, 2002}}</ref> It was already retired by December 2004, because of lack of interest.<ref>{{NewRef|perspectives-writing-grunt-2004-12-27|Perspectives of a Writing Grunt|[[Jay Moldenhauer-Salazar]]|December 27, 2004}}</ref><ref>{{EzTumblr|url=http://markrosewater.tumblr.com/post/34844640096/what-ever-happened-to-the-flavoracle|title=What ever happened to the Flavoracle?|date=November 02, 2012}}</ref>


===Orb of Insight===
===Orb of Insight===
Line 63: Line 63:


===Mistform Ultimus Watch===
===Mistform Ultimus Watch===
The '''Mistform Ultimus Watch''' was a recurring sub-feature that kept track of what [[creature type]]s <c>Mistform Ultimus</c> had become, and in effect, what new creature types recently had been added to ''Magic''. <ref>{{NewRef|arcana/mistform-ultimus-watch-mirrodin-block-2004-06-28|Mistform Ultimus Watch: Mirrodin Block|[[Magic Arcana]]|June 28, 2004}}</ref>
The '''Mistform Ultimus Watch''' was a recurring sub-feature that kept track of what [[creature type]]s <c>Mistform Ultimus</c> had become, and in effect, what new creature types recently had been added to ''Magic''.<ref>{{NewRef|arcana/mistform-ultimus-watch-mirrodin-block-2004-06-28|Mistform Ultimus Watch: Mirrodin Block|[[Magic Arcana]]|June 28, 2004}}</ref>


===Columns===
===Columns===
Regular columns used to be: <ref>{{NewRef|feature/design-test-2010-10-15|The Design Test|[[Mark Rosewater]]|October 15, 2010}}</ref>
Regular columns used to be:<ref>{{NewRef|feature/design-test-2010-10-15|The Design Test|[[Mark Rosewater]]|October 15, 2010}}</ref>
*''Limited Information'' by Steve Sadin
*''Limited Information'' by Steve Sadin
*''Serious Fun'' by [[Adam Styborski]]
*''Serious Fun'' by [[Adam Styborski]]
Line 72: Line 72:
*''From the Lab'' by Noel deCordova
*''From the Lab'' by Noel deCordova
*''The Week That Was'' by [[Brian David-Marshall]]
*''The Week That Was'' by [[Brian David-Marshall]]
*''[http://www.wizards.com/default.asp?x=mtgcom/columnarchive&column=UncommonKnowledge Uncommon Knowledge]'' was a history column that ran from January 2nd 2002 to August 15th 2003, with a single column on November 29th 2006, during the [[Time Spiral]] nostalgia period. It was authored by [[Ben Bleiweiss]] with one guest article by [[Aaron Forsythe]] on November 6th 2002.
*''[http://www.wizards.com/default.asp?x=mtgcom/columnarchive&column=UncommonKnowledge Uncommon Knowledge]'' was a history column that ran from January 2, 2002 to August 15, 2003, with a single column on November 29, 2006, during the [[Time Spiral]] nostalgia period. It was authored by [[Ben Bleiweiss]] with one guest article by [[Aaron Forsythe]] on November 6, 2002.
*''[http://www.wizards.com/default.asp?x=mtgcom/columnarchive&column=SaturdaySchool Saturday School]'' was a question and answer column that ran from October 2002 to July 2006. It was first authored by Norwegian [[Rune Horvik]],<ref>[http://www.wizards.com/sideboard/article.asp?x=GPBRI01%5C748inthorvik 2001 ''Grand Prix Brisbane Coverage {{-}} Interview: Head Judge Rune Horvik''], by Yaro Starak, [[magicthegathering.com|MTG.com]].</ref><ref>[http://www.wizards.com/default.asp?x=sideboard/gpant02/horvik ''Rune Horvik''], by David Vogin, [[magicthegathering.com|MTG.com]].</ref><ref>[http://www.mtgnews.com/F/Topic/1078456290283_Reading_the_Rune__Tapping_the_Mind_o.html ''Reading the Rune: Tapping the Mind of Rune Horvik''], by Jeff Vondruska, [[MTGNews|MTGNews.com]], 31 July, 2003.</ref> then [[John Carter]].
*''[http://www.wizards.com/default.asp?x=mtgcom/columnarchive&column=SaturdaySchool Saturday School]'' was a question and answer column that ran from October 2002 to July 2006. It was first authored by Norwegian [[Rune Horvik]],<ref>[http://www.wizards.com/sideboard/article.asp?x=GPBRI01%5C748inthorvik 2001 ''Grand Prix Brisbane Coverage {{-}} Interview: Head Judge Rune Horvik''], by Yaro Starak, MTG.com.</ref><ref>[http://www.wizards.com/default.asp?x=sideboard/gpant02/horvik ''Rune Horvik''], by David Vogin, MTG.com.</ref><ref>[http://www.mtgnews.com/F/Topic/1078456290283_Reading_the_Rune__Tapping_the_Mind_o.html ''Reading the Rune: Tapping the Mind of Rune Horvik''], by Jeff Vondruska, [[MTGNews|MTGNews.com]], 31 July 2003.</ref> then [[John Carter]].
*''[http://www.wizards.com/default.asp?x=mtgcom/academy/home Magic Academy]'' was a rules introduction column that ran from July 2006 to August 2007. It was initially authored by [[Ted Knutson]], then [[Jeff Cunningham]]. Guest lecturers included [[Scott Johns]], [[Ben Rubin]], and [[Shuhei Nakamura]].
*''[http://www.wizards.com/default.asp?x=mtgcom/academy/home Magic Academy]'' was a rules introduction column that ran from July 2006 to August 2007. It was initially authored by [[Ted Knutson]], then [[Jeff Cunningham]]. Guest lecturers included [[Scott Johns]], [[Ben Rubin]], and [[Shuhei Nakamura]].
*''Taste the Magic'' by [[Matt Cavotta]], dedicated to flavor
*''Taste the Magic'' by [[Matt Cavotta]], dedicated to flavor
*''[[Savor the Flavor]]'' by [[Doug Beyer]], its successor
*''[[Savor the Flavor]]'' by [[Doug Beyer]], its successor
*''[[Uncharted Realms]]'' by various authors
*''[[Uncharted Realms]]'' by various authors
* ''Level One'' by [[Reid Duke]], a full course (August 2014 - October 2015) for anyone looking to improve their play or learn more about ''Magic''. <ref>{{NewRef|level-one/level-one-full-course-2015-10-05|Level One: The Full Course|[[Reid Duke]]|October 5, 2015}}</ref>
* ''Level One'' by [[Reid Duke]], a full course (August 2014 - October 2015) for anyone looking to improve their play or learn more about ''Magic''.<ref>{{NewRef|level-one/level-one-full-course-2015-10-05|Level One: The Full Course|[[Reid Duke]]|October 5, 2015}}</ref>
*''[[Latest Developments]]'' on Fridays, by [[Aaron Forsythe]], [[Tom LaPille]] and later by [[Sam Stoddard]].
*''[[Latest Developments]]'' on Fridays, by [[Aaron Forsythe]], [[Tom LaPille]] and later by [[Sam Stoddard]].


Revision as of 14:00, 16 January 2019

Magicthegathering.com (also refered to as DailyMTG.com) is the official website for the game of Magic: The Gathering and a subpage of www.wizards.com, the official homepage of Wizards of the Coast. It features columns by R&D members and prominent Magic players.[1][2]

History

Start

Magicthegathering.com followed up on Duelist Online. It went online in early 2000, but the first page was not Magic specific (May 30, 2000 edition). The first Magic specific page went online in early 2001 around the time of 7th Edition (April 30, 2001). The site moved to a column format (ala newspaper looking) in early 2002. When web editor Aaron Forsythe left in 2003 to become part of R&D, it was considered to merge the site with Magic Online and the Sideboard website.[3] This was effectuated in early 2004, when Scott Johns took over.[4][5][6][7]

Facelifts

Further facelifts and updates followed in August 2005,[8] July 2006 [9] and September 2006.[10] A complete overhaul of the site was achieved in August 2008.[11][12] After Scott Johns, Kelly Digges managed the site. Since 2012, Trick Jarrett and Mike McArtor were the content managers.[13][14][15]

Rasmussen era

In 2014, Blake Rasmussen became copy editor-in-chief and the site was completely revamped, again. Changes included a responsive design for an improved browsing experience on any web-connected device, a rich and interconnected story section, a new calendar, an improved search functionality and a more robust experience for visitors reading in non-English languages.[16] The revamped site wasn't functioning very well in the first weeks and met with a lot of criticism. This led to another complete redesign, only six months later.[17] In January 2016 Rasmussen let go of the strict weekly format of the site. The roster of authors and the range of content were expanded, and the site now could be updated several times a day at irregular intervals. Rasmussen introduced the Daily Magic Update, retired Magic Arcana and rechristened Uncharted Realms to the rather bland "Official Magic Fiction" (later Magic Story).[18] "Daily Magic Update" was expanded upon in the November 2017 update, making use of the newst web design technology.[19][20]

Notable content

Daily

Weekly

Biannual

  • Announcement Day. A mass product announcement — one in the spring and one in the fall.[22] As of November 2018, WotC is rethinking how and when they announce products.[23]

Annual

  • State of Design, Mark Rosewater, as Head Designer, examines the current state of Magic design by looking back at the previous year to appraise what went right and wrong with Magic design (August).

Irregular

  • Magic Digital
  • Top Decks by Mike Flores and later Luis Scott-Vargas.
  • Magic Online Weekly Announcements Blog.
  • Magic Online Bug Blog.
  • How to Play....
  • Ways to Play.
  • Magic Lifestyle.
  • Magic Podcast.
  • Walking the Planes. Video series hosted by Nathan Holt, Walking the Planes documents various large tournaments (such as Grand Prix or Pro Tour) and the overall Magic scene in a light-hearted fashion. It often includes interviews with pro players. The series also features small sketches about the misadventures of an unnamed necromancer planeswalker (played by Holt).
  • Friday Nights. Video series produced by the Canadian sketch comedy group LoadingReadyRun, the series documents the groups own experience in playing Magic and its contact with the culture surrounding the game (e.g. a road trip to Grand Prix Calgary 2013), exaggerated for humorous effect.

Retired content

Magic Arcana

Magic Arcana was a section of the magicthegathering.com site that provided readers with sneak peeks of future products and revelations of little-known factoids about the game's past.[24] It used to be updated daily, but after 2014 it wasn't updated on fridays anymore. In 2016 it was incorporated in the Daily Magic Update.

Magic Arcana made its debut on January 2, 2002. Mark Rosewater wrote:

“  Each day we will tell you or show you something you’ve never heard or seen before. News of an upcoming set, original sketches, alternative packaging, playtest cards, uncropped artwork, style guide images, etc. "Magic Arcana" will go where no Magic site has gone before.[25]  ”

Before 2014, every Friday, Magic Arcana ha'd a "Wallpaper of the Week", which is a card artwork that is downloadable at 1280 x 960 pixels, 1280 x 1024 pixels, 1024 x 768 pixels, and 800 x 600 pixels. Magic Arcana kept an archive of Wallpapers of the Week.

The Lexicon was another regular part of Magic Arcana. The Lexicons were articles that defined words used in card titles. For instance, the last entry lists a caldera noun as "A large crater formed by volcanic explosion or by collapse of a volcanic cone."

The 1000th Magic Arcana was updated on January 25, 2006.[24]

Ask Wizards

Ask Wizards is a section of the magicthegathering.com site that answers sent-in questions of the public. It changed from daily, to weekly (allowing for staff holidays.) [25][26] In 2014 it became a monthly feature.[27] Later it disappeared alltogether.

Card of the Day

Every weekday day, Card of the Day was updated with a Magic card with an interesting factoid or two; this feature provided readers with "inside" scoops and Easter Eggs.[28] The chosen card often related to the theme of the week, if there was one, or the other cards chosen during that week.

FlavOracle

The FlavOracle was a pendant of the Oracle, a document that housed the official flavor text for every Magic card (basic sets, expansion sets, and promotional cards).[29][30] In addition, MagicTheGathering.com ran an ongoing feature that allowed readers to submit flavor text for older cards. After a screening process, a popular vote would determine the eventual winner for each card, and the winning text would be added into the FlavOracle.[31] The FlavOracle was introduced in March, 2002.[32] and used to provide flavor text for six cards in Eighth Edition.[33][34] It was already retired by December 2004, because of lack of interest.[35][36]

Orb of Insight

The Orb of Insight was a recurrent feature that was available prior to a set's release. It was a JavaScript-based object that, when available, one could type in a term, word or number, and the Orb would return with the number of mentions of such term in the forthcoming expansion. Although it did not take flavor text into consideration, it did consider card names and rules text.

Mark Rosewater wrote of the Orb of Insight:

“  You enter any word, and the Orb will tell you how many times that word appears in [a given set]. It counts all text on the cards with the exception of flavor text. What can you figure out with this little tool? To be honest, I’m not sure. But I plan to have fun watching all of you learn what you can.[25]  ”

Mistform Ultimus Watch

The Mistform Ultimus Watch was a recurring sub-feature that kept track of what creature types Mistform Ultimus had become, and in effect, what new creature types recently had been added to Magic.[37]

Columns

Regular columns used to be:[38]

Gallery

  • MTG.com banner for the week from October 1, 2007 to October 8, 2007.

    MTG.com banner for the week from October 1, 2007 to October 8, 2007.

References

  1. ↑ Template:NewRef
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  23. ↑ Rich Stein (November 7, 2018), "Some Ultimate Masters Questions with Blake Rasmussen", Hipstersofthecoast.com
  24. ↑ a b Template:NewRef
  25. ↑ a b c Template:NewRef
  26. ↑ Template:NewRef
  27. ↑ Template:NewRef
  28. ↑ Template:NewRef
  29. ↑ Template:NewRef
  30. ↑ Template:NewRef
  31. ↑ Template:NewRef
  32. ↑ Template:NewRef
  33. ↑ Template:NewRef
  34. ↑ Template:NewRef
  35. ↑ Template:NewRef
  36. ↑ [[Lua error in Module:EzTumblr at line 40: Malformed URL.]]. "[{{{1}}} What ever happened to the Flavoracle?]". Lua error in Module:EzTumblr at line 50: Malformed URL.. Tumblr.
  37. ↑ Template:NewRef
  38. ↑ Template:NewRef
  39. ↑ 2001 Grand Prix Brisbane Coverage — Interview: Head Judge Rune Horvik, by Yaro Starak, MTG.com.
  40. ↑ Rune Horvik, by David Vogin, MTG.com.
  41. ↑ Reading the Rune: Tapping the Mind of Rune Horvik, by Jeff Vondruska, MTGNews.com, 31 July 2003.
  42. ↑ Template:NewRef
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