Heh - I understand exactly what you mean, Michael.
Of course, it's well worth remembering that with Magic: the Gathering there was a period of about three years when no-one, including the designers properly understood the game.
And they still don't understand the game fully. The last major block (Mirrodin) is fundamentally broken on many levels - so much so, that they're just having to wait until it rotates out rather than banning the multiple cards that are distorting the tournament environment.
Any game of this complexity is such that the understanding required for balance issues is beyond us until the game enters actual play with millions of people.
(We notice the things they missed for balance - we don't understand the things they rejected first).
Cheers!
Of course, it's well worth remembering that with Magic: the Gathering there was a period of about three years when no-one, including the designers properly understood the game.
And they still don't understand the game fully. The last major block (Mirrodin) is fundamentally broken on many levels - so much so, that they're just having to wait until it rotates out rather than banning the multiple cards that are distorting the tournament environment.
Any game of this complexity is such that the understanding required for balance issues is beyond us until the game enters actual play with millions of people.
(We notice the things they missed for balance - we don't understand the things they rejected first).
Cheers!