NPH Spoiler Leak

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Happy Friday MTG peeps,

Happy in all likelihood for most of our readers as they are looking very much forward to slinging Magic the Gathering cards on kitchen tables or perhaps taking in a Friday Night Magic event at a local store (if one is near you) BUT perhaps not so happy for several parties involved in one of the largest leaks we can remember - the entire New Phyrexia set.

Before we get to that, we need to share two possible cards from the upcoming set Magic 2012. M12 is due to be released on July 15th, 2012. As for MTG standard rotation, Magic 2012 will enter Standard on its release without knocking anything out, then Magic 2011 and Zendikar block will leave Standard with the release of Innistrade, code-named "Shake", on 30th September, 2011.

At first glance, these cards from forum user mrM12 looks like they may have been a mis-print scooped out of a garbage bin behind the printer's facility. These cards are what we believe rather clever FAKES but we leave that assessment up to you :

Gideon's Avenger, 1ww
Creature - Human Soldier, Rare
Whenever a Creature an Opponent controls becomes tapped, put a +1/+1 counter on Gideon's Avenger.
2/2
17/249 ills. Randy Gallegos

Furyborn Hellkite, 4rrr
Creature - Dragon, Mythic Rare
Bloodthirst 6 (If an opponent was dealt damage this turn, this creature enters the battlefield with six +1/+1 counters on it.)
Flying
6/6
135/249 ills. Brad Rigney
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Anywhoos - back on target / topic . . . We refer you to three websites of note for you to follow-up - first Wizards of the Coast who had this statement released . . .

We regret to report that the New Phyrexia spoilers posted prior to April 25 were done so without authorization of Wizards of the Coast, and that the sources of the leak have been discovered. We have received confessions from both Guillaume Matignon and Guillaume Wafo-Tapa describing what happened and apologizing for their actions. Two other players—Martial Moreau and David Gauthier—have also been identified as being involved.

As you all know, the "God Book" contains every card from an upcoming set, and this confidential material is trusted to very few people in order to keep the contents concealed until the proper time. As a writer for Lotus Noir Magazine, Matignon had access to the book in order to write about the upcoming release. He broke the trust of Lotus Noir and Wizards by sharing this information with his friends, and ultimately spoiling the set well in advance of its release.

Apology from Guillaume Matignon edited out.

Unfortunately when we learn of things that harm the integrity of the game and of the Magic community, Wizards cannot stand by without action. Guillaume Matignon has been suspended from the DCI for three years. Guillaume Wafo-Tapa, Martial Moreau, and David Gauthier have been suspended from the DCI until October 2012.

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The Apology from Guillaume Matignon was very heart-felt and we are rather certain he means every word very much. Anywhoos, the end result is Guillaume Wafo-Tapa, Martial Moreau, and David Gautherhave been suspended until October of 2012, and Guillaume Matignon has been suspended for three years. The DCI suspended list is expected to be updated shortly and may be seen here.

That said, the DCI ban prevents participation in sanctioned events of which the involved parties are indeed very much a part of, it does not however prevent legal action and we're not certain how that will play out given international law and any non-disclosure agreement which may have been signed. It may not really be in the interest of Wizards to sue for monetary damages (which may be proven) from a 19-year old who is still scrapping together change for a college education but again, this is something which we will have to wait and see.

There is a very good investigative report from Channel Fireball writer Caleb Durward which you may find of interest here. This article appears to be good journalism and covers the time line and mechanics of the leak. Furthermore, there is also another interesting article by Matt Speling providing views and opinions from a serious player on the professional events side of the game.

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Lastly, just a bit of a blurb from us here at MTG Realm.

We do not believe that the leak had seriously harmed Wizards of the Coast sales or the community at large. That said, there is certainly effects of this event which will have adverse and beneficial effects for each individual or organisation. As for us, MTG Realm will suffer traffic loss which will likely result in less revenue (which is not very much) to purchase a booster box / fat pack / etc. during the next release. We like the slow rolling spoils and not an uncontrolled flood and we're sure that pro-players like the earlier release so that they may be better prepared when they head into the next tournament. Feel free to pipe in with your opinions in the comment thingy below . .

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