Jonathan Gentile

Dueling Network has always been and always will be one of the greatest positive impacts on YuGiOh that will ever be known. Dueling Network was our web browser-based alternative from downloading a version of the game that basically played it for ourselves. We were competitive. We could test new decks and bring them into the real world. We would meet in lobbies and argue about who or what is better. We could play with tournament rules or no rules at all (Forbidden, limited, semi-limited, unlimited). YuGi-Tubers (people who enjoyed YuGiOh and uploaded content to YouTube) would create vast amounts of content based on this astounding augmented reality. I remember hiding in the computer lab in Middle and High school just to log in to my account (JonathanGentile1) and dual. I played so much I cracked the top 20,000 players. From what I remember, Dueling Network was shut down because of Konami. I remember the debates and the backlash. "Dueling Network is the only way I can play!" "It entices me to buy more of your cards!" "I can test my deck before I spend $300 on it only for half of the cards to be banned next ban list!" Soon the fire raged and the time was done. Dueling Network was no more. Do I think it was a mistake for Konami to shut Dueling Network down? Yes. If it wasn't Konami's fault, and I'm remembering wrong, do I think it was a mistake to shut down Dueling Network? Yes. If Dueling Network was still open, I and many others would still be playing the one game that we had that had no loot boxes, little advertisements, and something that we could hop on and play hours for. Sure, I didn't give Dueling Network a dime for the years I played. I would have if the option presented itself. It's amazing how I used to play games like COD, Destiny, even stuff like MTG, yet none have such an impact as Dueling Network did. The simple UI made it easy to flex your Blue-Eyes White Dragon banner, your custom or rare sleeves, and upload and download your decks so that not only you could use it, but for others to send and receive feedback that would be crucial to improve on their W/L ratio. Maybe there's an alternative now. Nothing can compare to the honesty, loyalty, and love of Dueling Network that did not have to be held up by just developers or admins. That integrity was held by a loving community.