Press-release May 15, 2009 – James White to end as Magic: the Gathering Tournament Organizer for Auckland.

PTQ Austin on June 20 will be the last Magic the Gathering event that James White runs as the official Premier Tournament Organizer for Wizards of the Coast. James and Gameplayer Limited will continue to support and promote Magic the Gathering in New Zealand through www.gameplayer.co.nz, feature events such as the GamePlayer.co.nz Tournament Hall at Armageddon Expo and partnerships with retailers and Tournament Organizers across New Zealand.

The new Premier Tournament Organizer for Auckland will be Alan Hale, who has been a key member of the Gameplayer event staff for many years, a leader in the judge community and a regular presence at events and Hobby Stores across Auckland and New Zealand. Gameplayer wishes Alan the best of luck and will work closely with him going forward.

The reason that I have chosen to resign from the position of Premier Tournament Organizer is to take up an opportunity to work in-house at ID Digital Media, New Zealand’s largest online publisher and this requires the relocation of my family to Christchurch. Gameplayer and ID Digital Media are committing significant resources to the project of producing a website that all New Zealand TCG players can call home and a provide powerful marketing solution for the New Zealand gaming industry.

Gameplayer.co.nz will continue to be your central point of TCG event information, latest news, local event coverage, kiwi writing and giveaways… everything you enjoy now, only better!

On a personal level, this is not a farewell announcement as my involvement in this industry and community is simply taking a new direction, so no big sign-off. I will simply say it has been a good 10 years working with Wizards of the Coast as TO; Dale Aitken, Rob Teirney and before them Chris Zantides, have all been good people to work with and Magic the Gathering a great product. To the amazing team of Gameplayer Judges; Richard Carpinter, Shayne Eyre, Alan Hale, Dan Sy, Craig Dougall, I sincerely thank you for your time, effort and professionalism over the years. I am proud to leave behind such a strong judge foundation and hope that Alan will continue to receive your valuable support at future events.

If you know how to play Magic, even just kind of, I want to see you at PTQ Austin on June 20. I’m excepting no excuses for no-shows! It’s Standard Constructed which is easy as and there’s even an after party (R18, sorry kids) for those keen. *Bonus Round* Cici should be back from China by then for one more serving of the famous Gameplayer Hot Dogs! DO NOT MISS THIS!

Keep checking www.gameplayer.co.nz for developments and all the latest Magic and TCG good stuff, including all the upcoming events brought to you by Alan Hale.

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