WotC Chris Cao has left WotC

[Wofano Wotanto]

I got to know Cao briefly when I ran the largest fansite for an MMO he helmed, DC Universe Online.

I remember that game having to be retooled partway through development because Cao read an article that a human being couldn't handle more than 8 options at a time, so he demanded the game's power system be changed so players can only use 8 abilities at a time (rather than a full MMO hotbar), causing a rather late game rebalance and redesign. It seems he may have taken that style of production to Sigil.

Interesting. Always wondered why DCUO was so limited. Nothing like using some pop science article to make major business decisions, that always pays off well.

 

[Parmandur]

And Magic's entire business model isn't?

Sure,but pushing that even harder to the point of breaking game balance...?

 

[Parmandur]

I got to know Cao briefly when I ran the largest fansite for an MMO he helmed, DC Universe Online.

I remember that game having to be retooled partway through development because Cao read an article that a human being couldn't handle more than 8 options at a time, so he demanded the game's power system be changed so players can only use 8 abilities at a time (rather than a full MMO hotbar), causing a rather late game rebalance and redesign. It seems he may have taken that style of production to Sigil.

Yikes.

 

[Dire Bare]

And Magic's entire business model isn't?

Paper Magic predatory? Nah. No more so than baseball cards.

Collectible, addicting . . . yeah.

 

[aiouh]

Cannibalized.

I would not be surprised if covid & lockdowns pushed a lot of people towards MTG Arena as well.

I do know that all my MTG play is now on Arena. (Yikes - is it really 31 years since I first played? Now been 5 years since I bought physical cards - and I have a substantial physical collection).

Cheers!

MTG Arena hogged all my MTG time because it is so convenient and fast to set up high octane competitive gameplay and decks.

But it is so convenient and fast that I burned out.

Now I don't play Magic at all.

 

[aiouh]

Paper Magic predatory? Nah. No more so than baseball cards.

Collectible, addicting . . . yeah.

People really underestimate how many people just straight up use it as a gambling proxy and how prevalent it is nowadays.

Even the most "wholesome" content creator in the MtG space has videos up where he opens boxes and sees if he can beat the secondary market. Its kinda troubling if you ask me.

 

[michaeljpastor]

People really underestimate how many people just straight up use it as a gambling proxy and how prevalent it is nowadays.

Even the most "wholesome" content creator in the MtG space has videos up where he opens boxes and sees if he can beat the secondary market. Its kinda troubling if you ask me.

View attachment 401862

Crack is whack.

 

[Alzrius]

Crack is whack.

Don't have a Cao, man.

 

[bedir than]

MTG Arena hogged all my MTG time because it is so convenient and fast to set up high octane competitive gameplay and decks.

Same! And I haven't spent a dime there. I grind and improve my preferred decks. I won't be a champion, but whatever.

 

[Zardnaar]

And Magic's entire business model isn't?

It is but mythics exploded the price to play. Their was a deck called mythic and cards like Tarmogoyf and and Jace the Mind Sculptor.