Magic: the Gathering: Prerelease (Alternative title: eaters of lives)

[jack]

There are a few geeky things that float around amongst my friends that I've enjoyed hearing about, but avoided getting sucked into: professional mathematics, World of Warcraft, nethack, database/network administrating, starcraft, chess, etc.

Either because they seem seductive, and would EAT MY LIFE (TM), or because they seem TOO SAD EVEN FOR ME (TM) :)

One of these is Magic: the Gathering, one of the original trading card games. I'm embarrassed there's something really fascinating about it, but there really are many fascinating ideas: a large ruleset you can enjoy hacking if you enjoy that sort of thing, both within and without the intent; pretty pictures cleverly welded to rules design; low effort open-ended socialising.

The point being, there is apparently a prerelease of the next set in Cambridge. So I'm inclined to start doing magic things for a bit, until I get it out of my system. And at a prerelease, obviously (I say with a carefully straight face), is the perfect environment to join, as no-one else knows what the new cards do either :) And with a few cards, I can go along to Alex's sometimes.

Does anyone know Inner Sanctum Collectables? Do I know anyone intending on going?

Comments

[ravingglory.livejournal.com]

Richard Garfield is one of my favourite game designers. I've never been into magic (too poor, mostly) but I hope you enjoy magic-ing.

[cartesiandaemon.livejournal.com]

Thanks. (If you think good things about Richard, I feel justified :))

[robhu.livejournal.com]

Your list seems to not include the latest designer variant of geek crack.

[cartesiandaemon.livejournal.com]

ROFL. I wasn't intending to provide an exhaustive list of geeky things.

But I haven't heard of it, do you know what it's like? It sounds like Sim Dungeon meets Nethack (or Diabolo).

[robhu.livejournal.com]

It's amazing. I got completely lost in it for days - being unable to do anything else. It's a one more turn type game where you suddenly fall back off your chair, realise you've grown a beard, not eaten for days and been fired because you've not turned up to work.

Sim Dungeon meets Nethack is a good comparison, but it's oh so much more than that. It's a proper world simulator which is so powerful that people are building computers that do actual computation in game by building contraptions made out of gates and water and stuff. It is mind blowingly extensive and amazing. You must play it now.

[woodpijn.livejournal.com]

As the partner of a very keen player, I know more about Magic than I have any interest in knowing, so I can tell you that there's a prerelease in Cambridge for every set. Your post sounds as though you think it's a rare, special event just for this set. Alex often goes to the London prereleases, but sometimes to the Cambridge ones. I think he's thinking about going to Cambridge this time.

Unless you're particularly keen to have your own cards, that is in no way a prerequisite for "going along to Alex's sometimes" - he has far more cards than he knows what to do with and is very happy to lend them to Magic newbies at GamesEvening.

[robhu.livejournal.com]

he has far more cards than he knows what to do with and is very happy to lend them to Magic newbies at GamesEvening.
The first one is always free...

[cartesiandaemon.livejournal.com]

:)

[cartesiandaemon.livejournal.com]

*hugs* Thank you.

I know more about Magic than I have any interest in knowing,

LOL. I know the feeling.

In fact, I realise my post wasn't very representative. It was mainly just an excuse, I have borrowed decks from Alex and Peter sometimes before, but it would be nice to bring something for once. I didn't think there used to be Cambridge prereleases (but that was probably years ago), or that there were, but people went into london anyway.

Thanks.