1999
The year 1999 was the seventh year of existence for Magic: The Gathering.
Events
| Date | Event |
|---|---|
| Winter | Continuation of Combo Winter, players leaving the game in droves. |
| February, 4 - 7 | Duelist Invitational in Barcelona. Won by Mike Long. |
| February, 15 | Release of Urza's Legacy. |
| February, 26-28 | Pro Tour Los Angeles, won by Steven O'Mahoney-Schwartz |
| Mid March | Emergency banning of Memory Jar. |
| Spring | Fourth release of Vanguard cards in the Arena League. |
| April, 28 | Release of the Sixth Edition core set, also known as Classic.
|
| April 30 - May, 2 | Pro Tour New York, won by Casey McCarrel |
| May | Release of Portal Three Kingdoms, specifically designed for the Asian market. |
| June, 7 | Release of Urza's Destiny, the only expansion set after Arabian Nights to be designed by only one man. |
| July, 12 | Release of Starter, the next attempt, after the Portal series, to ease new players into the game.
|
| August, 4-8 | 1999 World Championships in Tokyo, won by Kai Budde.
|
| September, 3-5 | Pro Tour Washington D.C., won by team Your Move Games: Rob Dougherty, Dave Humpherys and Darwin Kastle. |
| September | Peter Adkison sells Wizards of the Coast to Hasbro. |
| September | Demise of The Duelist, replaced by TopDeck. |
| October, 4 | Release of Mercadian Masques. Toned down power level.
|
| Late 1999 | Launch of the Magic: The Gathering Interactive Encyclopedia. |
| October, 15-17 | Pro Tour London, won by Kyle Rose. |
| November 12, 1999. | Release of the Battle Royale compilation box set, aimed to introduce players to multiplayer game play. |
| December, 3-5 | Pro Tour Chicago, won by Bob Maher, Jr.. |
| December | Release of the 1999 World Championship Decks. |
| Player of the Year: Kai Budde | |
| Rookie of the Year: Dirk Baberowski |
Publications
- The Colors of Magic (February)
- Time Streams (May)
- The Gathering Dark (June)
- Bloodlines (August)
- Mercadian Masques (September)
- The Thran (December)
- The Official Classic Sixth Edition Game Strategy Guide
- Deck Deconstruction Companion
- The Official Urza's Destiny Game Guide
- The Official Starter Game Strategy Guide
- The Official Tournament Player's Guide
- Magic: The Gathering Official Encyclopedia - Volume 4
First involved
Wizards of the Coast
- Li Tie (art director)
- Dana Knutson (art director)
- Del Laugel (senior editor)
- Elaine Chase (DCI Policy Manager, later Brand Manager)
R&D
Artists
Urza's Legacy
- Bradley Williams
- Don Hazeltine
- Mark Brill
- Todd Lockwood
Portal Three Kingdoms
- Al Desheng
- Cai Tingting
- Chen Weidong
- Ding Songjian
- Fang Yue
- Gao Jianzhang
- Gao Yan
- He Jiancheng
- Hong Yan
- Huang Qishi
- Jack Wei
- Ji Yong
- Jiaming
- Jian Zhuqing
- Junich Inoue
- Junko Taguchi
- Kang Yu
- Koji
- Ku Xueming
- Kuang Sheng
- LHQ
- Li Tie
- Li Wang
- Li Xiaohua
- Li Youliang
- Li Yousong
- Lie Tiu
- Lin Yan
- Liu Jianjian
- Liu Shangying
- Miao Aili
- Mitsuaki Sagiri
- Qi Baocheng
- Qiao Dafu
- Qin Jun
- Qu Xin
- Quang Xuejun
- Shang Huitong
- Solomon Au Yeung
- Song Shikai
- Sun Nan
- Tang Xiaogu
- Wang Feng
- Wang Yuqun
- Wang Chiuxiong
- Xu Tan
- Xu Xiaoming
- Yang Guangmai
- Yang Hong
- Yang Yun Kwon
- Zhang Jhiazhen
- Zhao Dafu
- Zhao Tan
Urza's Destiny
- Greg Hildebrandt
- John Zeleznik
- Marc Fishman
- Patrick Ho
- Ray Lago
- Tim Hildebrandt
Starter 1999
Mercadian Masques
- Arnie Swekel
- Ben Thompson
- Clyde Caldwell
- Daniel R. Horne
- Dany Orizio
- Dave Dorman
- David Martin
- David Monette
- Frank Kelly Freas
- Fred Fields
- Gary Ruddell
- Glen Angus
- Jeff Easly
- Kevin Murphy
- Luca Zontini
- Mark Romanoski
- Massimilano Frezzato
- Matt Cavotta
- Mike Ploog
- Nelson DeCastro
- Sean McConnell
- Terry Springer