This content was originally included in an issue of The Duelist magazine. The original article can be accessed via Internet Archive here.

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Main Magazine Page: The Duelist #0

By Lisa Stevens

Every so often, a truly innovative and exciting game comes to my attention—a game so important that I just have to be involved with producing it. The first such game was Ars Magica. It was because of that game system that I became involved with Lion Rampant, my first game company. Ars Magica broke many of the stereotypes found in most games. It also introduced the idea of storytelling, which has gained so much popularity lately.

The next innovation that I was involved with was White Wolf’s Vampire: The Masquerade. When the idea was first broached to me on the way to GenCon one year, I knew that the game was going to be highly successful. Vampire has expanded the RPG market and raised the level of storytelling to even higher degrees.

Shortly after I left White Wolf, I was introduced to the idea for the next innovative game in my life. Richard Garfield showed me the early prototype that would eventually become Magic: The Gathering. The cards were photocopied and cut by hand. The pictures were culled from magazines, books, and other roleplaying products. The production quality wasn’t great, but we had fun! Those first few weeks playing Magic were incredible; not much work got done around the WotC offices. Over the next two years, the game that would become Magic: The Gathering evolved. The art was commissioned, the rules were playtested; some things were added and others deleted. Now, that idea has been realized. Magic: The Gathering has been released.

Though Magic has only been on sale for a short time, it has been extremely well received. Sales have been going through the roof, and customer response has been overwhelming. Some people love the game, and some people love the artwork. Most people love both.

It quickly became evident that we were going to need a newsletter dedicated to Magic and other Deckmaster trading card games. Thus was The Duelist born. What you are reading right now is a sampling of articles like those you will find in future issues of The Duelist. In addition to obvious things like rules clarifications and news on upcoming releases, we will feature artist profiles, tips on play, variations on the Magic rules, and much more. News on tournaments and leagues will also be disseminated through The Duelist. The Duelist will probably become a full-fledged magazine in a short time, so stay tuned.

— Lisa Stevens