ENCAPSULATE 2003

As we edge closer and closer to the Second Golden Age of Board Games, we remember those pioneers that made it possible.

Words by Matthew Vernall

We’re now a third of the way through our journey and it’s amazing to see how far tabletop gaming has come! Yes, there were even more CCGs clamouring for attention in 2003, but we also had major releases across various genres, showing the rapid increase in games being designed ensured that everyone would find something new and exciting to enjoy.

MARK ROSEWATER BECOMES HEAD OF MAGIC

It’s impossible to deny that outside of the game’s creator Richard Garfield, there’s no other person who’s done more for Magic: The Gathering than Mark Rosewater.

After joining the company in 1996, designing cards and helping establish the “pro tour” competitive scene, it made perfect sense for him to take over as head designer when Bill Rose was promoted to vice-president of Wizards of the Coast.

With the longest tenure of anyone as Head Magic Designer, Rosewater has played a role in developing and releasing some of the most popular sets ever released, including the original Ravnica, Zendikar and Innistrad sets to name a few. In addition to a very impressive list of credits, Rosewater is also well known for being highly communicative with fans, from his weekly Making Magic web articles to his Tumblr Q&A Blogatog, which currently stands at over 8700 pages with over 10,000 questions answered.