Justin Duewel-Zahniser

Went 3-0 last night in Dragon’s Maze draft. I hoped to ID the last round, but got paired down. I passed a Nightveil Specter for a Jellen Sphinx, then got a Specter in the next pack, cementing me in Esper. I frequently had out a Jellen Sphinx and an Ogre Jailbreaker (aka, “Jellen w/ a felon”).

About to go draft again as soon as I finish my tomato and cheese sandwich. I like this format, which is nice since I found Gatecrash to be about as fun as cleaning my shower. It’s slower, which I enjoy more. It also rewards draft skill more, I suspect, because you don’t just choose a guild and take all the best guild cards in that guild.

Have you drafted any Dragon’s Maze?

Tournament Rules for Google Highlander

Google Highlander is an exciting new reality/blood sport. Although the full tournament rules are quite comprehensive, this is an excerpt from the beginner’s guide and does a good job of covering the basics:

• A game begins when the first player launches a 24/7 live stream using their Google Glass device and announces their stream as a “Highlander game.”
• Word is typically spread to other potential players by virtual-word-of-mouth using primarily social media and text messaging.
• There can be only one: players attempt to use the live stream to locate and kill the “Highlander,” retrieving the device and continuing the game, while acquiring the losing player’s valuable possessions in order to fund the continuation of the game and nominally increase the potential prize over time.
• Although a challenging player may obscure their identity in order to ensure the continuity of the game, challenges cannot occur under circumstances which cannot be streamed. For example, wearing a ski mask is legal, whereas killing a Highlander in their sleep while the lights are out is forbidden. As a result, various forms of masked duels are common, as are lethal traps.
• If the device is destroyed, the game is ended. However, if the device is intentionally destroyed by either a Highlander or a challenger, the game goes into “relegation” (see Section 5 - Relegation Matches).
• A variety of complex rules also exist regarding “camping” that, when violated, trigger relegation. The brief summary is that staying in a single nondescript location for an extended period of time (e.g., hiding in a cave) will trigger relegation. However, the existence of a live stream record of transit to the location, along with surrounding visuals, is surprisingly effective at minimizing the success of attempted camping.
• Google Highlander is illegal almost everywhere in the world. Many games are unable to complete due to the intervention of law enforcement. Player communities have discussed the collective purchase of sufficient real estate or the construction of large raft-cities to establish sovereignty and allow for extended play. Presumably, the nation would be funded through subscriber revenue, merchandise, entry fees and other “adjacent services.” However, the loose organization of the game has so far made such discussions merely that.
• There is no central governing body. Highlander games are essentially community-policed. Although this sounds ineffective, a careful reading of the relegation rules will give most players are clear understanding of the importance of legal play.

The number of Google Highlander games being played at any one time is estimated currently to be in the single digits globally, with the majority taking place in the Bay area. This is due to a combination of the nature of the game and the limited supply of Google Glass devices. Games have been hosted out of Russia as well, presumably using either homemade Glass-like rigs or devices acquired through theft or Ebay. Although participants vary widely, the following seem to be the most interested parties:

• Wealthy, single, childless men without traditional jobs.
• People presumed to have extreme Antisocial Personality Disorder or psychopathy.
• Ninjas.
• Actual Highlanders.