The Magic community was splintered this past Friday when the news of Grand Prix Top 8 Competitor Zach Jesse’s 30-year ban hit the internet. Jesse, who plead guilty to charges of aggravated sexual battery, was contacted by Wizards representatives and told that his ban was effective immediately. This event has brought strong and nuanced arguments from thousands of Magic players across the world, both arguing for and against the ban issued by WotC. It seems now that the only thing keeping the Magic community united is the fact that we all can’t believe that Gideon Jura had a completely different name when he was a child.

Many Magic players have discussed the importance of rehabilitation, and how convicted felons often have an extremely hard time being re-integrated into society as it is. Many more, however, have commented on how nonsensical it is that Kytheon, a Hero of Akros no less, would feel the need to completely change his name come adulthood.

The most controversial aspect of Wizards’ ban is their suspension of his Magic Online account. Members of the community who speculate that WotC issued the ban in order to maintain a safe environment for players at tournaments are immediately shot down by the fact that Jesse could easily enjoy his MTGO account from home. Much in the same way that tactless morons are shot down when they argue that it is completely inoffensive that Gideon even changed his surname from ‘Iora’ to ‘Jura.’

Understandably, players are most concerned by the silence of WotC regarding this ban. To date, no official announcement has been made as to why all of a sudden Zach Jesse has been issued with a ban of such an extreme time-length, nor have they opened up about their choice to retroactively butcher one of the greatest characters in Magic history by changing his birth name with zero explanation.

As the argument goes, this move by Wizards has set a strange precedent. The only thing trumping how unsure people are about what could potentially get them banned from tournament play, is how unsure they are about whether they can ever come to terms with the embodiment of White Magic lying about his identity all these years.

It seems that despite many pleads from the side of the community who believe that Jesse’s ban should be lifted, WotC have dug their toes in and don’t want to make comment on the issue. This ban is a tough pill for many to swallow, especially seeing as everyone’s throat is still clogged with the banal notion that changing Gideon’s birth name somehow adds depth of character.

We hope that in the coming weeks, WotC open up about the reasons for their decision/s.

Comments