Renton, WA – In his final article as Magicthegathering.com’s chief content adviser, Wizards of the Coast employee Aaron Forsythe let slip that all promotional cards for the ’04 season, because of the heavy technological influence of the Mirrodin block, will have card text printed partially in 1337.

1337 – hacker for “leet”, as in “elite” – is a pseudo-language that has propagated itself on the Internet for several years now. The language is based on the use of similar-looking characters in words instead of the generally used characters.

“When I heard that Mirrodin would be a tech heavy block, I knew we would be in for a lot of changes,” said Forsythe on Wednesday. “When R&D signed me on for Fifth Dawn, I knew I could bring something completely new to the table.”

“I thought about all the experience I have with the Internet, and it hit me like a saxxors of brixxors… 1337! When I told Mark about it, I swear he LOL'd.”

Starting in January of 2004, all cards awarded to players and judges as a result of FNM and sanctioned tournaments will be printed in 1337, as will the prerelease cards for both Darksteel and Fifth Dawn.

Although this new policy mostly applies to cards from the new sets, at least one old favorite will receive the 1337 treatment.

“We decided that one of the FNM cards this year would be Terror, seeing as how it has been reprinted in Mirrodin. We are proud to report that it has been given a 1337age of at least 60%,” said Forsythe.

"Furthermore, we have updated the font from that dreary old standby to the more endearing Fixedys."

The decision to 1337ificate the cards for ’04 was received in much the same way as other changes to Magic: the Gathering.

“I think it looks really cool,” claimed one forum user in an impromptu interview, “just so long as the new card face stands up to it well.”

“I saw it coming,” boasted another, “and it will ruin the game. Also, look for an instant ban on Terror in Vintage.”

Older players may remember a similar promotion in which a special “toilet-paper” printing of Homelands was distributed. It enjoyed great success.

Discuss this article in the Magic: the Gathering Forums!

Renton, WA – In his final article as Magicthegathering.com’s chief content adviser, Wizards of the Coast employee Aaron Forsythe let slip that all promotional cards for the ’04 season, because of the heavy technological influence of the Mirrodin block, will have card text printed partially in 1337.

1337 – hacker for “leet”, as in “elite” – is a pseudo-language that has propagated itself on the Internet for several years now. The language is based on the use of similar-looking characters in words instead of the generally used characters.

“When I heard that Mirrodin would be a tech heavy block, I knew we would be in for a lot of changes,” said Forsythe on Wednesday. “When R&D signed me on for Fifth Dawn, I knew I could bring something completely new to the table.”

“I thought about all the experience I have with the Internet, and it hit me like a saxxors of brixxors… 1337! When I told Mark about it, I swear he LOL'd.”

Starting in January of 2004, all cards awarded to players and judges as a result of FNM and sanctioned tournaments will be printed in 1337, as will the prerelease cards for both Darksteel and Fifth Dawn.

Although this new policy mostly applies to cards from the new sets, at least one old favorite will receive the 1337 treatment.

“We decided that one of the FNM cards this year would be Terror, seeing as how it has been reprinted in Mirrodin. We are proud to report that it has been given a 1337age of at least 60%,” said Forsythe.

"Furthermore, we have updated the font from that dreary old standby to the more endearing Fixedys."

The decision to 1337ificate the cards for ’04 was received in much the same way as other changes to Magic: the Gathering.

“I think it looks really cool,” claimed one forum user in an impromptu interview, “just so long as the new card face stands up to it well.”

“I saw it coming,” boasted another, “and it will ruin the game. Also, look for an instant ban on Terror in Vintage.”

Older players may remember a similar promotion in which a special “toilet-paper” printing of Homelands was distributed. It enjoyed great success.

Discuss this article in the Magic: the Gathering Forums!