Magic: The Gathering Drive to Work Podcast

Explore the fascinating concept of 'stickiness' in game design. Learn how player engagement is shaped by intuition and simplicity in mechanics. Discover the role of flavor in retaining interest within a game. Delve into strategies for enhancing player retention and understanding, making mechanics more intuitive and enjoyable.

The excitement of MagicCon: Las Vegas 2024 is palpable, with over 15,000 participants enjoying events from cosplay contests to World Championship viewings. The podcast dives into the vibrant community atmosphere and the evolution of the convention. Listeners will discover insights from industry leaders about the future of Magic: The Gathering, highlighting new products and design shifts. The hosts share personal stories and reflections, emphasizing the joy of connecting with fans and the buzz surrounding the new Marvel-themed Spider-Man set.

This episode is the eighth and final part of my eight-part series where I go through the entire history of Magic design to talk about design evolution over the years.

At MagicCon: Las Vegas, I was honored to participate in Game Knights Live. I have my three fellow players, Josh Lee Kwai, Jimmy Wong, and Becca Scott, on the podcast to talk through all that went into putting it on and share a bunch of the behind-the-scenes stories.

This episode is part seven of an eight-part series where I go through the entire history of Magic design to talk about design evolution over the years.

In this podcast, I sit down with Carmen Klomparens, lead designer of the Magic: The Gathering Foundations Starter Collection, to talk about the design of the product.

Dive into the intricate design process behind the Khans of Tarkir set, where innovative mechanics like morph reshaped gameplay. Discover the evolving structure of the game and how designers balance the needs of new and veteran players. Explore the revitalization of Magic's story, including the impact of the Gatewatch and new narrative techniques. Finally, learn how the shift away from traditional block models has transformed design philosophy, adapting to player preferences for a richer gaming experience.

In this podcast, I sit down with Foundations's Lead Set Designer Bryan Hawley to talk about the design of the set's product suite.

This episode is part five of an eight-part series where I go through the entire history of Magic design to talk about design evolution over the years.

In this podcast, I go through all the mechanics that interact with the graveyard in some way.