In light of recent player bans, Wizards of the Coast’s CEO put out a new statement to help build a better community. Come check out their announcement.
Chris Cocks, CEO of WotC, just put out a new statement titled A Commitment to Each Other: Building a Community together. He outlined an effort to build a better community and also the players know what they can do to help. Let’s take a look at what he had to say.
Magic is inherently social, and our community is as diverse as it is large, uniting tens of millions of players around the world in what is effectively a network of friends. And one of the most important things friends do is support one another. The basis of community is respect.
Everyone at Wizards of the Coast feels this way, and we take that sentiment to heart. So a while back we asked for your help shaping a commitment to one another to foster an open, engaging, inclusive community.
With input from players, retailers, tournament organizers, fans, and staff, this Commitment to Each Other represents the kind of community we all want to be. Friends hold each other accountable. Friends watch each other’s backs. Friends welcome and respect newcomers. The spirit of friendship and a commitment to each other is what sets the Magic community apart as one of the best in gaming.
To that end, expect to see this hanging in play spaces soon.
This is our commitment to each other. Think of it as evoking the spirit of our Code of Conduct, but by the community and for the community.
Here’s how we hope this commitment will be used.
On our end, we will be working with our partners and stores on how best to roll out, display, and utilize this community commitment. Don’t be surprised to see this posted in your local store or on stream with your favorite content creator.
On the community’s end, this commitment can be a tool players can point to in order to help keep play spaces fun. This commitment only works if we all want to make a positive, awesome community and we use this as a guiding light.
Should you spot an issue, contact the owner or operator of the store, stream, or play space first. They will hopefully be ready and willing to address any issues locally. However, if you feel the need to escalate the issue, you can contact Wizards of the Coast directly to report any serious issues by getting in touch with Customer Support.
Of course—and this is important—if you do say something, please do so in a constructive way. Sometimes a lapse in judgment can be an opportunity to learn and grow. The goal isn’t to attack anyone who falls short, but to make our community as welcoming and inclusive as possible—and maybe even make a new friend.
Chris Cocks goes on to say that they are not even close to done working to make the Magic community the best it can be. The commitment to each other is broken down into four areas:
- Put Fun First
- Respect Your Play Environment
- Welcome Everyone
- Follow the Rules
Chris Cocks also encouraged players to contact the owner or operator of the store, stream, or play space if they did see any issues arise, and if it’s serious enough you can contact the Wizards of the Coast customer service. It really seems like WotC is doing everything they can to help make their gaming community better, we look forward to seeing what they have in store for Magic: The Gathering.
What do you think about Chris Cocks’ latest announcement? Are these the four areas that all gaming communities should always try to focus on, and will they work well if everyone in the community remembers that?
Is it nice to see WotC taking this step to help make the community stronger? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below.
