Wizards of the Coast Monday unveiled plans to do away with its long-standing Planeswalker Points system and to stop using players' DCI numbers.

Wizards of the Coast Monday unveiled plans to do away with its long-standing Planeswalker Points system and to stop using players' DCI numbers.

The changes begin in a month's time as WotC will be sunsetting its points-based system and will be removing access to the Planeswalker Points website on May 27.  This will include the ability for players to check their Planeswalker Points history information, which is a very popular feature of the soon-to-end system.

This announcement comes after the company unveiled last year that Planeswalker Points would no longer be used to calculate byes at Grand Prix events.

Instead, players will be required to have and use their Wizards Account information.

"Future in-store play and esports events, as well as other play opportunities, will require players to have a valid Wizards Account which works with the Magic: The Gathering Companion app and the upcoming new event tool for local game stores," states the company.  "If you already play Magic: The Gathering Arena, you already have a Wizards Account.  Some Magic esports events, including events such as Grand Prix at MagicFests, will continue to use your DCI number through 2021."

The decision seems rather short-sighted by WotC and is unfortunate for player as as the company says there is no way to link their existing DCI number to a Wizards Account.  Also, the company seems disinterested in allowing players to preserve their play history.  WotC is not providing any sort of support for options for players who wish to download or otherwise effectively archive their DCI event and result history.

The company claims that this move away from DCI numbers and Planeswalker Points will make event scheduling and managing an easier task for stores and organizers.  They see it as a better play experience between stores, players, and events around the world

"Scheduling and managing in-store play tools are getting an upgrade to Wizards Eventlink.  Players participating in WPN events will need a Wizards Account, and stores will be able to add and manage players using players' Wizards Accounts as well as apps such as Magic: The Gathering Companion app."

And for those who want to get back into organized Magic: The Gathering play after having their DCI number suspended or banned, WotC has some important information:

"In the past we've seen suspended players attempt to circumvent the system by applying for new DCI numbers after their old number was suspended," the company states.  "Our process for dealing with such things will be similar.  Players who attempt to circumvent their suspension and play in Magic events will face additional suspension or banning.

Enjoy your DCI number, play history, and Magic: The Gathering identity as you know it while it lasts.  Wizards of the Coast is set to to erase it.