Fact Check: Wizards of the Coast Sent the Pinkertons After a YouTuber for Early Magic: The Gathering Cards
What We Know
In April 2023, a YouTuber known as oldschoolmtg published videos showcasing unboxing sessions of the unreleased Magic: The Gathering set, March of the Machine: The Aftermath. This set was not scheduled for public release until May 12, 2023. Following these videos, Wizards of the Coast (WotC), the publisher of Magic: The Gathering, confirmed that they sent private investigators from the Pinkerton agency to retrieve the leaked cards from the YouTuber's home. Reports indicated that the confrontation with the Pinkertons frightened the YouTuber's wife, leading to emotional distress, and resulted in the confiscation of nearly two dozen boxes of cards (Polygon, Gizmodo).
The YouTuber stated that the Pinkerton agents arrived at his home after he had released several videos, demanding the return of the cards and asserting that they were there to recover "stolen goods." The YouTuber later clarified that he did not believe he had stolen anything, suggesting that there was likely a mix-up in the distribution chain (PC Gamer, Dicebreaker). Wizards of the Coast acknowledged the incident, stating it was part of an investigation into the unauthorized distribution of embargoed products (Engadget).
Analysis
The evidence supporting the claim that Wizards of the Coast sent the Pinkertons to retrieve cards from a YouTuber is robust. Multiple reputable sources, including Polygon and Gizmodo, confirm that the Pinkerton agency was indeed involved in the incident. The YouTuber's account of the event aligns with the statements made by Wizards of the Coast, which confirmed their engagement with the Pinkertons as part of an investigation into the unauthorized disclosure of embargoed products (Polygon, Gizmodo).
However, the reliability of the sources must be considered. Polygon and Gizmodo are well-established media outlets known for their coverage of gaming and entertainment news, which adds credibility to their reports. The YouTuber's personal account, while subjective, is corroborated by the official statements from Wizards of the Coast, which lends further weight to his claims. The emotional impact on the YouTuber's wife, as described by the YouTuber, is a critical aspect of the narrative that highlights the severity of the situation, although it is also a subjective experience (Gizmodo, PC Gamer).
Wizards of the Coast's assertion that they did not instruct the Pinkertons to intimidate the YouTuber contrasts with the YouTuber's description of the agents' behavior, which raises questions about the nature of the interaction. Nonetheless, the core fact remains that the Pinkertons were dispatched to retrieve the cards, which supports the claim that Wizards of the Coast took significant action in response to the early release of their product (Polygon, Engadget).
Conclusion
The claim that Wizards of the Coast sent the Pinkertons after a YouTuber who had obtained Magic: The Gathering cards early is True. The evidence from multiple credible sources confirms that the Pinkerton agency was involved in retrieving the cards from the YouTuber's home, following the unauthorized release of content related to an embargoed product. Despite some discrepancies in the accounts of the interaction, the fundamental facts surrounding the incident are well-documented and verified.
Sources
- Magic publishers sent Pinkertons to YouTuber's house over ...
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