The Magical Christmas Train is a festive and enchanting way to celebrate the holiday season. It is a popular attraction that brings joy and excitement to people of all ages. The train itself is beautifully decorated with sparkling lights and colorful ornaments, creating a magical atmosphere. As the train sets off on its journey, passengers are transported into a winter wonderland filled with twinkling snowflakes and holiday-themed decorations. The sound of Christmas carols fills the air as families and friends gather together to experience the joy and magic of the season. Inside the train, cozy seats and warm blankets provide a comfortable and inviting space for passengers to relax and enjoy the ride.
Wizards confirmed to Polygon the Pinkertons were involved in the incident. The presenter at oldschoolmtg described agents as “big heavy-hitter guys” who frightened his wife. The Pinkertons arrived with contact information for someone at Wizards of the Coast and, after speaking with them, the presenter said they made the decision to pull their original videos down.
The modern-day Pinkertons are descended from the original Pinkerton Detective Agency, which was founded in Chicago, Illinois more than 170 years ago. The resulting confrontation reportedly frightened one woman to tears, and resulted in the confiscation of nearly two dozen boxes of cards by private investigators.
Inside the train, cozy seats and warm blankets provide a comfortable and inviting space for passengers to relax and enjoy the ride. Children's laughter can be heard as they eagerly look out the Window in anticipation of what awaits them. One of the highlights of the Magical Christmas Train is the visit from Santa Claus himself.
Magic publishers sent Pinkerton agents to a YouTuber’s house to retrieve leaked cards
Charlie Hall is Polygon’s tabletop editor. In 10-plus years as a journalist & photographer, he has covered simulation, strategy, and spacefaring games, as well as public policy.
When Magic: The Gathering cards turned up on YouTube last week, publisher Wizards of the Coast sent private investigators from Pinkerton to retrieve them. The resulting confrontation reportedly frightened one woman to tears, and resulted in the confiscation of nearly two dozen boxes of cards by private investigators. Wizards confirmed the incident to Polygon. Meanwhile, the presenter denies anything illegal occurred.
At some point on April 20, YouTube channel oldschoolmtg published a video showing the opening of a box of collector booster packs from March of the Machine: The Aftermath — just one of 22 boxes it said were purchased from an acquaintance. Little has been revealed about the set so far, which is not expected to arrive in stores until May 12. As a result, the video was quickly downloaded and used as fuel for reaction videos all over the internet.
Later, on April 22, oldschoolmtg published another video explaining what had happened.
“I got up and recorded some videos,” the presenter said in the video. “Right after I got done with the video, dogs started barkin’ because somebody was knocking at the door. I come out and the wife’s answering the door and it was the Pinkertons.”
The name Pinkerton should ring a bell for our American readers. The modern-day Pinkertons are descended from the original Pinkerton Detective Agency, which was founded in Chicago, Illinois more than 170 years ago. The company has played a role in major historical events, not the least of which was its stint as a violent, strike-breaking private paramilitary force in the late 19th and early 20th century. Pinkerton, now a subsidiary of Paragon Systems, currently counts security and loss prevention among its many services.
Wizards confirmed to Polygon the Pinkertons were involved in the incident. The presenter at oldschoolmtg described agents as “big heavy-hitter guys” who frightened his wife. The Pinkertons arrived with contact information for someone at Wizards of the Coast and, after speaking with them, the presenter said they made the decision to pull their original videos down.
“He was very apologetic about making my wife cry first thing in the morning by sending these heavy-duty lawmen [to] come collect stuff and talk about stolen products and jail time,” the presenter said in the video. “But they don’t believe we stole anything — which we didn’t. I don’t know if they believe anybody really stole anything or if it was just an accident or whatever. But they wanted the product back so they could try and figure out where the hole was so they could plug the hole.”
“Wizards of the Coast can confirm that yes, this is part of their investigation,” a representative told Polygon.
In the video, the presenter goes on to extrapolate what they think happened in this situation. It’s possible, they say, that someone, somewhere in the distribution chain accidentally mistook March of the Machine product for March of the Machine: The Aftermath product.
“Somebody screwed up and sent out the wrong cases to the gentlemen that I bought the boxes off of, because when he sold me the stuff he said he was selling me March of the Machine collector’s boxes — not Aftermath. [. ] He didn’t really even know what Aftermath really was, I don’t think.”
Polygon has reached out to oldschoolmtg for more information.
Engaging private investigators to retrieve stolen or missing trading cards is not a particularly new or novel strategy for game publishers. Just last week, Polygon reported on another similar incident dating back to 2021 involving products from The Pokémon Trading Card Game, which were also retrieved with the help of a private investigator.
The presenter in this instance said in the video that the person they spoke with from Wizards seemed to understand they were not at fault. In fact, they were eager to compensate the YouTuber for the purchase of the cards, potentially in the form of more appropriate replacement product, the presenter said.
“Anybody who has used my footage,” they added, “you’ll probably want to take that down.”
“I no longer have the product,” they said. “The Pinkertons took everything to take back to WotC.” That includes empty boxes and wrappers. “I don’t even have a token to show for my efforts,” he added with a laugh, before noting his channel had recently doubled in viewership.
Update (April 25): After the publication of this article, Wizards of the Coast reached out to Polygon with the following additional statement.
As part of an investigation into the unauthorized distribution and disclosure of embargoed product, we repeatedly attempted to contact an individual who had received unreleased cards. After that outreach was unsuccessful, an investigator visited him and asked that he reach out to us as part of our investigation and return the embargoed product and packaging. He agreed to do both. The unreleased product will be replaced by us with the product he intended to purchase. We appreciate the individual’s cooperation and the investigation is ongoing.
The name Pinkerton should ring a bell for our American readers. The modern-day Pinkertons are descended from the original Pinkerton Detective Agency, which was founded in Chicago, Illinois more than 170 years ago. The company has played a role in major historical events, not the least of which was its stint as a violent, strike-breaking private paramilitary force in the late 19th and early 20th century. Pinkerton, now a subsidiary of Paragon Systems, currently counts security and loss prevention among its many services.
As the train chugs along, Santa makes his way through the carriages, spreading cheer and handing out gifts to all the boys and girls. The excitement is palpable as children eagerly await their turn to meet Santa and share their Christmas wishes. Throughout the journey, there are various interactive activities and entertainment options to keep passengers engaged and entertained. From holiday-themed crafts to live performances, there is something for everyone to enjoy. The festive ambiance and sense of community make the ride on the Magical Christmas Train a truly special experience. The Magical Christmas Train has become a tradition for many families, who eagerly await its arrival each year. It is a time to create memories and cherish the joyous moments spent together. The train ride is a magical escape from the hustle and bustle of everyday life, allowing passengers to immerse themselves in the enchantment of the holiday season. In conclusion, the Magical Christmas Train is a delightful and enchanting experience that captures the Christmas spirit in a truly remarkable way. It brings people together and reminds us of the magic and joy that the holiday season brings. Whether young or old, stepping aboard the Magical Christmas Train is sure to fill hearts with warmth and delight..
Reviews for "Step into the Magic: A Festive Christmas Train Journey"
1. Emily - 2/5 stars - I was really disappointed with "Magical Christmas Train." The plot was incredibly predictable and the acting left a lot to be desired. It felt like the characters had no depth and the dialogue was cheesy. I was hoping for a heartwarming holiday movie, but this one fell flat for me.
2. Benjamin - 1/5 stars - I couldn't even finish watching "Magical Christmas Train" because it was so poorly done. The storyline was cliché and the dialogue felt forced. The acting was wooden and the characters lacked any sort of chemistry. I would not recommend wasting your time on this movie.
3. Samantha - 2/5 stars - I had high hopes for "Magical Christmas Train" but unfortunately, it didn't live up to my expectations. The story felt contrived and the pacing was off. The movie also tried too hard to be sentimental, resulting in a lack of genuine emotion. Overall, I was left feeling underwhelmed and unsatisfied with this holiday flick.
4. Eric - 3/5 stars - While "Magical Christmas Train" had its flaws, it still had some redeeming qualities. The cinematography was beautiful and the picturesque Christmas scenes added a nice touch. However, the storyline was predictable and the dialogue was a bit cheesy. It's a decent watch if you're in need of some mindless holiday entertainment, but don't expect too much depth or originality.
5. Lisa - 2/5 stars - I found "Magical Christmas Train" to be a bit too formulaic for my taste. It followed all the typical holiday movie tropes without bringing anything new to the table. The characters were forgettable and the plotline lacked originality. It's a forgettable film that didn't leave a lasting impression on me.