Reuters News Service - The recent suspensions of pro players Ryan Fuller and Bob Maher, Jr. have sent ripples through Magic communities worldwide, according to a recent Oxford University study. Most notable, the study reported, was an overwhelming response among the world's aspiring but unaccomplished PTQ players, who now feel like an important part of the Pro Magic community whose views on the suspensions deserve to be heard on the world's internet Magic forums.

The study found that nearly 78% of players designated as "randoms" under the terms of the study (having no career Pro points is a strong indicator for this category of player) had "strong feelings about the suspensions." Additionally, 83% of those surveyed described cheating as "an issue of great importance to Professional Magic as a whole." These feelings have been expressed in a variety of ways, not the least of which is posting editorials on websites such as StarCity, CCGPrime and Brainburst.

"I agree that [Maher] is an excellent Magic player and he did outplay the field in Chicago. However, he should never have been there," wrote Michael Clauss in a recent Brainburst article. Clauss, along with thousands of other unqualified randoms worldwide, followed Maher's Chicago win on Sideboard Online from the comfort of his own living room. "The reality is he got on the gravy-train illegally. Not only that, but Maher and his cohorts denied several people spots on the tour; spots which were actually EARNED." No mention was made of whether Clauss, or any of the thousands of readers of his article, had ever earned one of the aforementioned Pro Tour slots.

The recognition gained from this article inspired a second article from Clauss. "Cheating is normally not a one shot deal," he continued. "The only difference between Fuller & Maher is that Maher had enough sense to cover his tracks. I would not be surprised if other shady 'incidents' come to light that include Maher." Clauss later expressed disappointment that neither of his two articles resulted in a $50 Giveaway.

Many other randoms have followed Clauss' lead, expressing concern over the state of the Professional Magic community that they will never be a part of.

"I don't care whether Bob Maher is a nice person or not," wrote Evan Lieroff, a New Jersey random who has never met nor played against Maher on any occasion. "Character or superstar status should not be a factor in the punishment of rule-breakers. The fact is, he cheated, and he should be stripped of his Pro Tour title." Lieroff's comments can be viewed at the end of his recent article outlining rogue strategies for upcoming JSS challenges.

"These incidents of cheating should be a major concern to Magic players everywhere," Pro Tour champion and noted random Farid Meraghni commented through a translator. "Hopefully my win in San Diego will serve as an example to other players that you don't need to cheat to win a Pro Tour. All you need is hard work, dedication, and a Top 8 draft deck with Kamahl, Savage Firecat, and Nantuko Mentor."

Oxford professor of Anthropology and co-author of the study Arthur Brandeis offered the following analysis: "While it is true that the most vocal opinions on these suspensions have come from players with Amateur status, this should not come as a surprise. These randoms have already been driven by their inherent geekiness to embrace the Magic subculture, and even there they experience only disdain and frustration. Of course these players have strong opinions about the suspensions, because for most of them, this is the closest they will ever get to the Tour."

In a related story, occasional MiseTings contributor cavedan was cornered and beaten by an angry mob of PTQ and JSS players, who accused him of being a "hypocritical scrub" who "hasn't Q'd for shit." Moments before falling into unconsciousness, cavedan was heard to mutter, "Better to suck at Magic than to suck at life."

Discuss this article in the Magic: the Gathering Forums!

Reuters News Service - The recent suspensions of pro players Ryan Fuller and Bob Maher, Jr. have sent ripples through Magic communities worldwide, according to a recent Oxford University study. Most notable, the study reported, was an overwhelming response among the world's aspiring but unaccomplished PTQ players, who now feel like an important part of the Pro Magic community whose views on the suspensions deserve to be heard on the world's internet Magic forums.

The study found that nearly 78% of players designated as "randoms" under the terms of the study (having no career Pro points is a strong indicator for this category of player) had "strong feelings about the suspensions." Additionally, 83% of those surveyed described cheating as "an issue of great importance to Professional Magic as a whole." These feelings have been expressed in a variety of ways, not the least of which is posting editorials on websites such as StarCity, CCGPrime and Brainburst.

"I agree that [Maher] is an excellent Magic player and he did outplay the field in Chicago. However, he should never have been there," wrote Michael Clauss in a recent Brainburst article. Clauss, along with thousands of other unqualified randoms worldwide, followed Maher's Chicago win on Sideboard Online from the comfort of his own living room. "The reality is he got on the gravy-train illegally. Not only that, but Maher and his cohorts denied several people spots on the tour; spots which were actually EARNED." No mention was made of whether Clauss, or any of the thousands of readers of his article, had ever earned one of the aforementioned Pro Tour slots.

The recognition gained from this article inspired a second article from Clauss. "Cheating is normally not a one shot deal," he continued. "The only difference between Fuller & Maher is that Maher had enough sense to cover his tracks. I would not be surprised if other shady 'incidents' come to light that include Maher." Clauss later expressed disappointment that neither of his two articles resulted in a $50 Giveaway.

Many other randoms have followed Clauss' lead, expressing concern over the state of the Professional Magic community that they will never be a part of.

"I don't care whether Bob Maher is a nice person or not," wrote Evan Lieroff, a New Jersey random who has never met nor played against Maher on any occasion. "Character or superstar status should not be a factor in the punishment of rule-breakers. The fact is, he cheated, and he should be stripped of his Pro Tour title." Lieroff's comments can be viewed at the end of his recent article outlining rogue strategies for upcoming JSS challenges.

"These incidents of cheating should be a major concern to Magic players everywhere," Pro Tour champion and noted random Farid Meraghni commented through a translator. "Hopefully my win in San Diego will serve as an example to other players that you don't need to cheat to win a Pro Tour. All you need is hard work, dedication, and a Top 8 draft deck with Kamahl, Savage Firecat, and Nantuko Mentor."

Oxford professor of Anthropology and co-author of the study Arthur Brandeis offered the following analysis: "While it is true that the most vocal opinions on these suspensions have come from players with Amateur status, this should not come as a surprise. These randoms have already been driven by their inherent geekiness to embrace the Magic subculture, and even there they experience only disdain and frustration. Of course these players have strong opinions about the suspensions, because for most of them, this is the closest they will ever get to the Tour."

In a related story, occasional MiseTings contributor cavedan was cornered and beaten by an angry mob of PTQ and JSS players, who accused him of being a "hypocritical scrub" who "hasn't Q'd for shit." Moments before falling into unconsciousness, cavedan was heard to mutter, "Better to suck at Magic than to suck at life."

Discuss this article in the Magic: the Gathering Forums!