Seattle

First Limited at World Championships

What year and which expansion was the first limited at the World Championships?

The second ever World Championships in 1995, held in Seattle, had a limited component. It was sealed and the players were given a whole bunch of packs. I don’t know the exact mix, but I believe it included a bunch of Fourth Edition in it as Ivan Curina, from Italy, (who made the Top 8) got Channel, Instill Energy, and Colossus of Sardia which allowed him to attack with a 9/9 on turn three.

Limited Sealed Format Seattle Colossus of Sardia Instill Energy

Dream Job

I had a Maro dream once. You'd hire me on if I completed a scavenger hunt quest around Seattle. I had to find and take pictures of various land marks such as Pike Place but it was closed that day. Then somehow we rode a mono rail over the bay and you gave me until the end of the ride to design 5 Commons for an upcoming set, but your critique was I designed rares. :(

Thanks for sharing.

Commons Lands Mark Rosewater Rares Seattle Scavenger Hunt

Current Residence Information

What part in the world do you live

I live on the east side of greater Seattle, Washington.

Seattle

Pro Tour Update

has there been any public announcement about the status of the pro tour since the August 2020 announcement that "we're taking the year off" and to stay tuned for a 2021 announcement (which I can't find)?

The Pro Tour has started again. We just had one held in Seattle last month, and the next one is in June at MagicCon Amsterdam.

Competitive Play Conventions Seattle

Planeswalkers Named after Places

If/When, completing the obviously intended cycle of planeswalkers names after Seattle neighborhoods? We've been waiting since '95 Mark!

If it takes over thirty years between cards in the cycle, it’s going to take a while. : )

Cycles Humor If/When Planeswalkers Seattle

Seattle Recommendations

What are some of the cool places you recommend seeing while in Seattle?

Pike Place Market is fun to visit.

Seattle

Seattle Pizza Recommendations

Hi Mark,I’m at O’Hare waiting for a plane to take me to Seattle. Two questions: does Wizards still do tours, and what is the best pizza place in the city to try when we’re there?

Wizards sadly does not do tours.My favorite pizza place is called Delfino’s and is at the University Village near University of Washington. It’s Chicago-style deep dish pizza though, and that’s not for everyone. My favorite Seattle pizza chain is Pagliacci’s.

Seattle

Fact about Jaya Ballard

Can you tell us a fact about Jaya Ballard, my favorite planeswalker?

She’s named after the city Ballard, a suburb of Seattle.

Jaya Ballard Planeswalkers Seattle

Magic in Pop Culture

I found another example of Magic in pop culture. In the urban fantasy book Greywalker, set in Seattle, the main character's case takes her to the WotC game center, where she comes across teens playing Magic as well as D&D on the bottom floor.

Cool!

Dungeons & Dragons Pop Culture Seattle Wizards of the Coast

Seattle Travel Tips

Hey Mark, I’m in Seattle this weekend, any suggestions on where to go and I what to see?

I like taking guests to Pike Place Market. There’s a great seafood restaurant next to it called Cutter’s Bayhouse.

Food Guest Seattle

Mental Health of Rules Managers

Is there a mental health institute in Seattle full of former rule managers and play designers/developers you've driven mad over the years?

No comment.

Rules Seattle

Anticipation: Future Seattle References

So now that Jaya Ballard is back, how long before we get cards referencing OTHER Seattle-area cities and neighborhoods?

Joe Bothell or Tina Tukwila should show up any set now.

Jaya Ballard Seattle

Stained Glass Planeswalkers

Are the stained glass planeswalkers in every Secret Lair? Or just for the first select people in Seattle? I am definitely getting a couple of the lairs but itd be cool if they all came with them.

All seven of the Secret Lairs come with a stained glass Planeswalker. It wasn’t just the select few in Seattle.

Planeswalkers Seattle Secret Lairs

CommandFest Seattle Presence

Is there any chance that you'll make an appearance at CommandFest Seattle next weekend?

Between my mom visiting, some family responsibilities and a charity stream I’m doing, my schedule is pretty filled. Maybe, but I’ll be honest, it’s a small maybe.

Conventions Seattle

GDS4 Eligibility

Is GDS4 Only american citizens or can europeans try out?

The question about GDS4 was hypothetical. While I do hope to one day do another one, that day, sadly, isn’t anytime soon. The restrictions have always been the same, you have to be 18 or older, you have to be willing to move to Seattle, and you have to legally be able to work in the United Ststes.Because it’s an internship (aka temporary), American law makes it very difficult to give to someone without a green card (or an American citizen).

Citizen Green Seattle United States

Seattle Dragons Connection

Thought you might be interested: The new Seattle XFL team is going to be the named Dragons, and in a ranking of them on SBNation says Dragons are appropriate to Seattle because of Wizards of the Coast and D&D.

Interesting.

Dragon Dungeons & Dragons Seattle Wizards of the Coast

Seattle Dessert Recommendation

Dear Mark, it's my birthday and I'm in Seattle for the weekend with a friend to celebrate. For birthday trivia can I ask for a local recommendation for a good place to get dessert?

Hot Cakes - Molten Chocolate Cakery. There is one in Capitol Hill and one in Ballard.Happy Birthday!

Birthday Seattle

International Design Career

Hey Mark, my birthday was last Saturday, so I'd like to ask you: what could I do to work on Wizards as a card designer if I don't live in the US?

That’s unfortunately tricky as Magic design is very collaborative and requires lots of meetings and we’re located in Seattle.I know that wasn’t the answer you wanted to hear.Happy Birthday!

Birthday Seattle

Fan Interaction Appreciation

It was great seeing you at MF Seattle! I appreciate your infinite patience, with all of us vying for quick conversations. (And that you gave me birthday trivia about Thorn Elemental.)

I’m always happy to meet with the fans. : )

Appreciation Birthday Elemental Seattle Thorn Elemental

Canada Visit

When you were wondering if you'd been to another place in Canada, you were right - you've been to Victoria for the Loading Ready Run Pre-Pre-Release of Unstable. Victoria is also the Canadian city that's physically closest to Seattle.

Good point. I forgot Victoria.

Canada Limited Seattle Unstable