To Aaron Forsythe, Mark Rosewater, and whomever else it may concern - We, the undersigned members of the Magic community, ask that you rethink your decision of April 2011 to end support for large regional prereleases in addition to store run events. We understand that the decision was made, at least in part, to foster support for the local brick and mortar stores without which our game cannot survive. However, we believe that the death of the regional prerelease is too big a blow to the community to warrant this decision. For many of us, large prereleases were our gateway to the Magic world at large. It was the first time we got our cards signed, the first time we played against a pro, and the first time we ever saw a Black Lotus. For those of us who cannot or have no desire to travel to large, highly competitive events, large prereleases became our way to expand our horizons beyond the two dozen people at our local store. It was our chance to meet new people and expand our playgroups. Without new blood, after all, even the freshest, best designed formats can feel stale. Wizards, you have disconnected all but the most competitive players from the Magic community. Without large prereleases, we have no place to bring our friends who are new to the game and want to get a sense of its community without having to be an expert at competitive play. We have no way to meet new people, no way to meet the artists that make our game come to life, and no true group experience to bind us together. Above all, though, we miss the Christmas morning feeling of opening a fresh booster from a brand new set in a room with 500 like-minded gamers. There's no thrill in the world quite like it, and no 30-person local event can ever replicate that feeling. Please bring it back. - The Magic Community