1993
The year 1993 was the first year of existence for Magic: The Gathering.[1]
Events
| Date | Event |
|---|---|
| Early 1993 | Wizards of the Coast settles a lawsuit about the unauthorized use of the Role Playing Game The Primal Order by paying an undisclosed sum to Palladium Books [2] Meanwhile, founder Peter Adkison is working to publish an affordable collectible card game designed by Richard Garfield that will have little set-up and short games.[3] |
| April 18 | WotC hosts an art show and open house at their offices. This is the first public introduction to Magic.[4] |
| July 1–4 | At the Origins Game Fair convention in Ft. Worth, Texas, WotC gives demonstrations of Magic at their booth and the open gaming area. Although no product is available for sale, pre-orders for Magic in the first hour outsell the rest of WotC's product line.[5] |
| August 2–16 (approx.) | Peter Adkison and his wife Cathleen give demonstrations of Magic during a promo tour to various game stores in Oregon, California, Arizona, New Mexico, and Colorado.[6] |
| August 19–22 | At the GenCon convention in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, Magic (Alpha) is released to the public. The response at the convention is overwhelming.
|
| September | 10 millionth card made. |
| October 4 | Shortly after Alpha has sold out, the slightly edited Beta edition is released. It also sells out quickly. |
| Late November | Richard Garfield proposes to his girlfriend Lily Wu, using a specially made Magic card. |
| December 1 | Release of the first white bordered set, the Unlimited edition. |
| December 10 | Release of the Collectors' Edition. |
| December 17 | Release of Arabian Nights. This is the first expansion set, consisting of new cards rather than reprints. It sells out instantaneously. |
First involved
Wizards of the Coast
- Peter Adkison, owner
- Jesper Myrfors, art director
- Beth Moursund, netrep
Design and Development
- Richard Garfield, original designer
- University of Pennsylvania
- The "East Coast Playtesters".[8]
- The "Penn group", members of a local bridge club.[9]
The Duelist
- Kathryn Haines, managing editor
- Paul Hughes, associate Editor
- Amy Weber, Art Director
Artists
- Alpha
- Amy Weber
- Andi Rusu
- Anson Maddocks
- Brian Snõddy
- Christopher Rush
- Cornelius Brudi
- Dameon Willich
- Dan Frazier
- Daniel Gelon
- Douglas Shuler
- Drew Tucker
- Fay Jones
- Jeff A. Menges
- Jesper Myrfors
- Julie Baroh
- Kev Brockschmidt
- Mark Poole
- Mark Tedin
- Melissa Benson
- Quinton Hoover
- Richard Thomas
- Rob Alexander
- Ron Spencer
- Sandra Everingham
- Tom Wänerstrand
- Arabian Nights
- Kaja Foglio
- Ken Meyer Jr.
- Kristen Bishop
- Susan Van Camp
References
- ↑ Mark Rosewater (October 18, 2013) "Episode 63: 1993" ,Drive to Work (transcript)
- ↑ John Tynes (March 23, 2001) "Death to the Minotaur", Salon Media Group, Inc.
- ↑ Monty Ashley (January 23, 2013). "Twenty Years Ago". magicthegathering.com. Wizards of the Coast.
- ↑ Newsgroups: rec.games.frp.announce
- ↑ Newsgroups: rec.games.frp.misc
- ↑ Newsgroups: rec.games.frp.misc
- ↑ Magic Arcana (August 6, 2009). "The First DCI Tournament". magicthegathering.com. Wizards of the Coast.
- ↑ Mark Rosewater (July 6, 2003). "Of Ice and Men". magicthegathering.com. Wizards of the Coast.
- ↑ Mark Rosewater (March 22, 2010). "Working Draft". magicthegathering.com. Wizards of the Coast.