Of Magic computer games and general goofiness.

A few commenters talked about how they hadn't seen Magic in years so I thought I'd discuss some of the recent changes to the game, just in case anyone's interested. In many ways Magic began it's current cycle with the launch of Lorwyn, a set that experimented with block design and more importantly added a whole new card type to the game the 'Planeswalker'. These cards seemed underwhelming to some, and confusing to most but were at the very least interesting. Each one represents a powerful mage not unlike the players themselves and are meant to feel in some small way like a new player has joined the game.

Flash forward a bit and the game changes even more, in addition to smaller set sizes and a new rarity level (Mythic rare with a 1 in every 6 pack insertion) They announced that the core sets would
A. Be yearly
B. Contain brand new cards
It was at this point that the magic community gasped, and many veteran players threw up their arms and harrumphed off.
Yet for every grognard lost two shiny new players were gained thanks to the release of the X-box Live exclusive duels of the planeswalkers, a rather limited teaching tool to any serious player, the budget game still helped hype up the new core set and get tons of people into what at one point seemed an impenetrable hobby.

One of the biggest complaints I've heard from old players is "They changed too much." Which to me seems like it's anathema to the game's core philosophy, Magic isn't a game of static strategy like chess, it's meant to be an ever evolving creature all it's own. Don't like this current set? Wait for the new one. Feel like a single strategy is too good? Wait for rotation. If Magic were just a normal boxed card game it wouldn't be half the fun.
Oh, and for all those purists out there, Richard Garfield himself is on the team for the next block, Innistrad. So, there's that.