All Episodes

Displaying 1 - 30 of 1248 in total

#1248: Futureproofing

In this podcast, I talk about a concept called futureproofing where we design mechanics to better enable us to use them in the future.

#1247: FINAL FANTASY with Gavin Verhey

In this podcast, I sit down with the lead designer of Magic: The Gathering®—FINAL FANTASY™ to talk about the set's design.

#1246: Why Mechanics Don't Make It

We design a lot of mechanics. Most don't make it to print. Why? That's my topic for this podcast.

#1245: Test Decks

This podcast talks about a tool we use to playtest new mechanics.

#1244: Formats I Made

Someone on my blog asked me if I ever designed any Magic formats. It turns out that I have, so I spent a podcast episode talking about them.

#1243: Vision Design Issues

In this episode, I walk through many of the design issues that occur during vision design.

#1242: Repeats and Tweaks

In this podcast, I talk about times we decided to reuse mechanics and times we chose to tweak mechanics into something new.

#1241: Making Mechanics

Inspired by this year's "Nuts & Bolts" column, I walk through how mechanics are created.

#1240: Communications

In this episode, I walk through the history of Magic and talk about how communicating with players has changed over the years.

#1239: Top 20 Worst Mechanics, Part 3

This podcast is part three of three on my series about the 20 worst mechanics of all time, based on my talk at last year's MagicCon: Las Vegas.

#1238: Top 20 Worst Mechanics, Part 2

This podcast is part two of three on my series about the 20 worst mechanics of all time, based on my talk at last year's MagicCon: Las Vegas.

#1237: Top 20 Worst Mechanics, Part 1

This podcast is part one of three on my series about the 20 worst mechanics of all time, based on my talk at last year's MagicCon: Las Vegas.

#1236: Mel

This is part two of a two-part series on the aesthetic profiles. This time, I talk about Mel, the player who aesthetically appreciates mechanics.

#1235: Bigger than the Box

When Richard Garfield first made Magic, he liked to say it was "a game bigger than the box." In this episode, I walk through what exactly that phrase means and the cha...

#1234: Vorthos

This podcast is part one of a two-part series on the aesthetic profiles. Up first, I talk all about Vorthos, the player who aesthetically appreciates flavor.

#1233: Arc Planning

In this podcast, I talk about the team that figures out what in-Multiverse Magic sets we'll be doing in the future.

#1232: Spike

This podcast is part three of a three-part series walking through the three psychographics. Today, I  explore the psychological analysis of Spike.

#1231: Tarkir: Dragonstorm Creative with Lauren Bond

In this podcast, I sit down with the creative lead for Tarkir: Dragonstorm, Lauren Bond, to talk about the worldbuilding and creative execution of the set.

#1230: Johnny and Jenny

This podcast is part two of a three-part series walking through the three psychographics. Today, I explore the psychological analysis of Johnny and Jenny.

#1229: Tarkir: Dragonstorm Set Design with Adam Prosak

In this podcast, I sit down with Tarkir: Dragonstorm Set Design Lead Adam Prosak to talk about the set's design.

#1228: Timmy and Tammy

This episode is part one of a three-part series walking through the three psychographics. I start today with exploring the psychological analysis of Timmy and Tammy.

#1227: Tarkir: Dragonstorm Vision Design

In this episode, I walk through the vision design for Tarkir: Dragonstorm and talk about the evolution of the Dragon subtype and clan mechanics.

#1226: Replies with Rachel and Sarah

Many years ago, I would drive my eldest daughter to school, and occasionally, we did a segment called "Replies with Rachel" where the two of us would answer questions....

#1225: Interrupts in Limited Edition (Alpha)

Magic's very first set had a card type that no longer exists called interrupts. In this episode, I walk through all the cards of this card type in Limited Edition (Alp...

#1224: Why We Do Themes

In this episode, I explain the value of themes by going through the various teams that work on a Magic set.

#1223: Design Feedback

In this episode, I explain the numerous ways designers give feedback to each other by going through the entire exploratory design and vision design process.

#1222: Top 20 Most Influential Designs, Part 3

This is part three of a three-part series going over a talk I gave at MagicCon: Chicago 2025.

#1221: Top 20 Most Influential Designs, Part 2

This is part two of a three-part series going over a talk I gave at MagicCon: Chicago 2025.

#1220: Top 20 Most Influential Designs, Part 1

This is part one of a three-part series going over a talk I gave at MagicCon: Chicago 2025.

#1219: MagicCon: Chicago 2025

In this episode, I talk about my recent trip to MagicCon: Chicago.