1997
The year 1997 was the fifth year of existence for Magic: The Gathering.
Contents
Events[edit | edit source]
Date | Event |
---|---|
February 3 | Release of Visions. |
February | Prank article in InQuest #22, starting the rumors about the color purple. |
February 14–16 | Duelist Invitational in Hong Kong. Won by |
February 28 – March, 2 | Pro Tour Los Angeles, won by
|
March | Release of Fifth Edition, the first set that was advertised as an advanced-level set in the new rating system for the game sets.
|
March | Start of the Military League. |
March 22–23 | First Grand Prix in Amsterdam, won by |
April 11–13 | Pro Tour Paris, won by |
April | Release of the MicroProse Magic computer game, including the Astral set. |
May 1 | Release of Portal, the first starter-level set, with simpler rules and an other lay-out.
|
May 16 | Opening of the Wizards of the Coast Game Center. |
May 30 – June, 1 | Pro Tour New York, won by |
June 6 | Release of Weatherlight.
|
Summer | First Vanguard set, featured in the Arena League. |
July | Introduction of the Extended and Legacy formats. |
July | First Magic based summer camp. |
August 13–17 | 1997 World Championships in Seattle, won by
|
October 4 | Prerelease of Tempest, first prerelease card: Dirtcowl Wurm |
October 10–12 | Pro Tour Chicago, won by
|
October 13 | Release of Tempest, the first set that was advertised as an expert-level set and the first set to be released with preconstructed theme decks. |
October 15 | Wizards of the Coast lands TCG patent. |
November 1 | Release of the Magic: The Gathering - BattleMage computer game. |
November | Magic television commercials air in the USA. |
December 5–7 | Pro Tour Mainz, won by |
December | Release of the 1997 World Championship Decks. |
December | Release of the Vanguard Gift Box. |
Magic: The Gathering - Armageddon arcade game created by Acclaim Entertainment. | |
Player of the Year: |
Publications[edit | edit source]
- The Official Magic: The Gathering - Strategies & Secrets
- Magic: The Gathering Official Strategy Guide
- Magic: The Gathering Official Encyclopedia - Volume 2
- The Official Guide to Portal
- The Official Deckbuilders' Guide
- The Official Guide to Tempest
- Official Strategy Guide for Magic: The Gathering - Battlemage
First involved[edit | edit source]
Wizards of the Coast[edit | edit source]
- Matthew D. Wilson (art director)
- Monty Ashley
Design and Development[edit | edit source]
Artists[edit | edit source]
Visions
- Blackie del Rio
- Brian Horton
- Bryan Talbot
- Cecil Fernando
- David Seeley
- Eric Peterson
- Fred Hooper
- George Pratt
- Greg Spalenka
- I. Rabarot
- Jerry Tiritilly
- John Avon
- Jon J. Muth
- Michael Danza
- Natalie Hertz
- Omaha Pérez
- Paul Lee
- Romas Kukalis
- Scott Hampton
- Tony DiTelizzi
Fifth Edition
Portal
Weatherlight
- Brom
- Darbury Stenderu
- Dylan Martens
- Franz Vohwinkel
- Kipling West
- Mark Harrison
- Patric Kochakji
- Rogério Vilela
- Stephen L. Walsh
Tempest