Australia’s sporting capital, Melbourne is set to host an international Grand Prix of a very different kind, when Magic: The Gathering comes to the Melbourne Park Function Centre on 30 March to 1 April, 2012.
For the uninitiated, Magic: The Gathering, also known as Magic, is one of the first collectible trading card games, created by mathematics professor, Richard Garfield. Since being introduced in 1993, it has captured the imagination of more than twelve million players, and even provided the inspiration for the fictional card game, Mystic Warlords of Ka’a, often played on the popular TV series, The Big Bang Theory. Each game represents a battle between mighty wizards known as “Planeswalkers”, who employ magical spells, items and fantastic creatures depicted on individual Magic cards to defeat their opponents.
Grand Prix tournaments are world-wide open events that allow all Magic players to participate and experience the thrill of a large-scale competition. With a US$30,000 purse and four invites to the US$230,000 Magic the Gathering Pro Tour including flights to Barcelona up for grabs, the upcoming Magic: The Gathering Grand Prix in Melbourne is expected to attract around 600 competitors from across the globe including an array of somewhat colourful characters.
Australia’s top ranked player 22 year old, Jeremy Neeman has been playing Magic for a full two-thirds of his life but things really took off for him since his breakout event in 2008, Pro Tour Hollywood when he finished 44th amongst the 400 best players on the planet, announcing himself as a player to watch! Later in 2009 he made the top 8 playoff at Pro Tour San Juan earning a cool $10,000 for his weekends work and has since gone on to establish himself as one of the world’s best. As the winner of the last two Australian Magic Grand Prix – Sydney in 2010 and Brisbane in 2011 all eyes will be on the poster boy of Australian Magic as he strives for an unprecedented ‘three-peat’.
Like Stuart in Big Bang Theory, 21 year old Morgan Meehan-Lam from Tasmania, works in a comic book store and runs events in store. Unlike Stuart however, she has forgone geek for gorgeous, making her quite a stand out in the Magic crowd. She is also highly regarded as Magic Judge and will compete on the Judge team at Grand Prix Melbourne.
Another player proving that the game is not just for your stereotypical geeks is 41 year old Queenslander, Corey Hill. A family man and retired Captain from the Australian Defense Force, nowadays Corey is dedicated to building Magic: The Gathering gaming communities within Brisbane along with being a top ranked player. A hulking presence, Corey is the epitome of the gentle giant.
Running alongside the Grand Prix is a huge array of other events expected to attract hundreds more Magic enthusiasts and players of all levels. Whether you are a ‘Level 1 Prodigy’ or a ‘Level 50 Archmage’, you are sure to find an event to test your skills and fire your imagination.
Haven’t played before or keen to find out more? Grand Prix Melbourne also features a Learn to Play area and in just 20 minutes, you’ll be able to cast spells and summon creatures!
Another highly anticipated highlight is the exhibition of works by notable Magic Artists and artist appearances and signings. Highly regarded, USA artist Daarken will be visiting Australia for the first time with a collection of his most notable Magic artworks and chatting with his legion of local fans. Daarken came into being in a dark, dank basement under the stairs of an abandoned barber college located in the heart of the tenderloin of San Francisco. Occasionally he emerged from his cave to attend classes at the Academy of Art University and became a concept artist for the video game Warhammer Online: Age of Reckoning before turning his considerable skills to Magic.
The Wizards Play Network incorporates over 80 stores around Australia, all running weekly Magic tournaments to prepare players for this big event. With hundreds of tournaments run locally in the lead up to GP Melbourne, you can be sure our Aussie spellslingers will be ready to take on the international pros!
visit: www.wizards.com/gpmelbourne2012
Magic the Gathering: Grand Prix Melbourne
Registration: AUD $50 (AUD $40 Early bird registration on Friday)
Friday, March 30: 2 p.m. – 8 p.m.
Saturday, March 31: 8 a.m. – 8:45 a.m.
Tournament Location: Melbourne Park Function Centre
Park and Skyline Rooms, Rod Laver Arena
cnr Batman Avenue and Olympic Blvd
Melbourne
Australia