WOTC, the IDC and You
By Brian Weeks

It's been almost four years now. Four years since WOTC put SW:TCG on "indefinite hold". Four years since the IDC willingly took over the reigns to continue the game we love. Now, it's been almost a year since WOTC and DCI stopped player support of the game and DCI rankings for the game. Now that the IDC has released it's fifth expansion and banned/restricted it's third IDC card (the Death Star II (D)), the IDC is continuing to support the game both past and present. To that end, the IDC is requesting a public, player vote of our following request - the IDC would like to have the approval of the SW:TCG community to also watch, review and/or ban/restrict WOTC cards.

First, a little history. The IDC was first created to continue developing sets and interest in the SW:TCG. Our intent was not to take over the game (as the property is still owned by WOTC and we are a not-for-profit fan based group), but to keep the game alive, with the hopes that WOTC would one day bring it back. Per our Charter:

6.3.2 This committee is responsible for the banishment and/or restriction of any cards created by the IDC past or present in the event any card(s) or combination of cards become broken, abusive or problematic. This committee is not allowed to ban or restrict cards created by WOTC.

But when this Charter was written there was a hope that the game would return. Now, four years later, it doesn't appear likely. And there are still potential troublesome cards. The IDC Playtesting Committee keeps a Watch List with potential game breaking cards. R2-D2 (J) is one in particular. But since some of those Watch List cards were created by WOTC, we want to ask the player community's permission to change this IDC Charter Rule. So, we put it to you, the loyal SW:TCG player. Should the IDC be able to ban or restrict WOTC cards. Please vote because your opinion is important to us. If you have additional comments, please go to Rebelbasers.com (message link below the poll) and let us know your thoughts.

Thoughts or comments? Visit the message board thread for this article here.

About the Author
Brian Weeks (aka Skywlkr) has been playing the Star Wars TCG since its introduction at Celebration 2 in 2002. After playing the demo game and introducing it to RedneckJedi and Darthwalls, Team 'Dude Where's My Card' was created. He competed in three qualifiers, yet the closest he ever ranked was eighth. As a member on Rebelbasers, SWDuelist and a writer for the now defunct Diehard Online, he has tried to promote the game through information and interaction.

He is married, has a five year old son, is an architect, has been the Treasurer and Newsletter Editor for eight years for JediOKC (an Oklahoma City based Star Wars Fan Club), was the IDC Card Development Chairperson for Fall of the Republic and is now the IDC Public Affairs Chairperson through all five expansions. Despite all that, he still has time to introduce the game to new players…KEEP THE GAME ALIVE!