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Mason's World

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Mason

United States

September 20, 2011

In my constant effort to become an even bigger nerd, I have now gotten into Magic: The Gathering.

It's a slippery slope.

I started playing because my group of friends who play Dungeons & Dragons together was having difficulty finding a time when we could all get together. So one of them lent me some of his Magic cards to start playing with. The thing about Magic vs D&D is that is much easier to find someone to play with - and a game can take as little as 10 minutes. That's the good part.

The bad part is you will spend more money on Magic.

First, I bought the video game. Which was pretty cheap and a lot of fun. Then I bought the upgrade to the video game. OK. Totally fair - it's got new decks and everything. No problem.

Then I went to a promotional event where the company gave away FREE cards to play with - and the players got to keep them. And that was what doomed me.

The reason this game is so successful is built of that fantastic combination of opening up a fresh pack of cards and not knowing what you're going to get inside. Reliving that feeling, I can understand again why I wasted so much money on collectible sports cards as a little kid.

Combine that feeling with the fact that they are always releasing new cards - and they officially remove cards from "legal" play (in professional matches and stuff - it doesn't matter if you're just playing at home) every 2 years or so.

That's an awesome and tricky business model. And I totally fell for it. What's the nerdiest thing you do?

More entries: The other side of 30 (1), Lord of the Rings - All At Once! (1), Magic, Heat wave (1), Driving to work (1), 30 (2), Taxes (1), Honeymoon! (8), Married! (11), Hard Work (5)

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