Questions for Ryan Spain!
Added 2019-06-13 07:18:56 +0000 UTCHey All,
Luis is feeling much better but still is worried about his voice going out, so we decided to let him take it easy and take the week off.
But that means we get Ryan back this week!
We have a topic lined up but I thought I would open it up for patron questions too.
Ryan worked at WotC for 8 years in R&D, MTGO, and Arena. He designed cards, user experiences, and got to see what it was like working as a game designer in the big chocolate factory in Renton.
You have to have questions about some of this right?
:)
Thank you as always!
Marshall
Comments
Hi Marshall and Ryan,How much time goes into designing the vanilla creatures in a set? Is that done amongst the whole set from the beginning, or when a set is mostly done and r&d is looking to fill in the gaps for limited necessities such as curve consideration or extra tribal support (speaking mostly in terms of commons)?
Thomas Cuff
2019-06-13 22:52:49 +0000 UTCHi Ryan! Really enjoyed the idea of the double decker draft format. Are there other custom limited formats you've developed?
Parker
2019-06-13 22:39:38 +0000 UTCHi Marshall and Ryan For Ryan, whilst you were at wizards were you ever tempted (or did you ever!) design a card you needed to fill a hole in your own EDH deck, Cube, or something else? I'm also sure you had lots of designs you wanted to make but never found a good place for them, can you share one or two of your favourites?
Aston Ramsden
2019-06-13 22:12:00 +0000 UTCDear Ryan and Marshall, So I know this is a Limited focus podcast, but I do want to know if you guys (Ryan in particular) enjoy playing EDH at all, and if so what sort of deck archetypes? Marshall do you still play with Animar? Also, what would you be most interested in seeing in Core 2020 from a Limited perspective?
Alyssin Williams
2019-06-13 21:19:12 +0000 UTCRyan, We know Luis is a "gamer", and we know that somehow Marshall manages to love MtG without describing himself as such (😉). Do you consider yourself a gamer, and if so, what are 2-3 of your other favorite games (video, board, tabletop, etc.) at the moment? If not, what other hobbies do you maintain an interest in? Thank you both (and all other co-hosts!) for the wonderful show. -Luke
Luke Maschinot
2019-06-13 19:04:12 +0000 UTCHello Ryan and Marshall! I love drafting against real people, but I never started playing Magic Online. Can I still get into it, or is it too much of a wasted investment for that to be a good idea? If it's still possible to have fun for a new player in Magic Online, what are some tips for someone just jumping in?
Marcus Mayhew
2019-06-13 16:52:22 +0000 UTCHi, Ryan! When you were working at WotC, what were you hoping would happen to the game that didn't?
Luke Johnson
2019-06-13 16:39:02 +0000 UTCHow to not tilt when u had a bad draft and know your deck is a 0-3. How to get win out of bad decks
Alyssa blair
2019-06-13 16:12:21 +0000 UTCWhat was the most challenging part of designing magic cards? Is there a card you're particularly proud of?
Nick Stelzer
2019-06-13 16:11:23 +0000 UTCWhat’s the favorite mechanic and/or individual card you’ve designed for Magic?
Jonathan Montgomery
2019-06-13 15:56:10 +0000 UTCHi Ryan! What technical, strategic, or manpower issues might prevent WoTC from adding sets like Modern Horizons or Cube to Arena? Drafting these sets with bots and no timer seems like the best possible way for players to be introduced to more complex formats. Thanks!
Jaeger
2019-06-13 15:45:14 +0000 UTCIn chess the player going first has a slight advantage. So in large chess tournaments the system keeps track of how many times a player has gone first in the tournament, and in each new round the player who has gone first fewer times thus far will go first (if they're tied it's random, just like round 1). It's all done by computer, the players just read who is white off the pairings sheet. This can't ensure that every player is white game 1 in exactly half of their matches, but it will get a lot closer to that than randomly assigning it each round. I remember a Q&A probably more than a year ago where both Marshall and Luis said it was a very bad idea for an individual to keep track of how many times they won or lost the die roll, which I think was sound advice. But would it improve tournament Magic if the player choosing play or draw was marked on the pairings and picked using the same method as chess? And also for Ryan (great name by the way) does Arena do anything like this when selecting who chooses play/draw? Could the programming architecture support that kind of function?
Ryan Glinski
2019-06-13 15:29:07 +0000 UTCSecond question less serious but no less important...Suppose your are stranded on a desert island in the same manner like Tom Hanks in Cast Away. Let's also suppose you have enough survival skills as Hanks' character so you are able to satisfy the basic human needs when stranded for a long period of time(4 years btw). While searching among the FedEx packages in the downed airplane, you discover a case of mtg booster boxes. What mtg set are you most hoping to find? Consider that this might be one of the few ways to keep your shipwrecked mind sane during your isolation. In your opinion, which mtg set offers the deepest intellectual experience capable of keeping your mind sharp? Be careful when playing against Wilson though, I heard he cheats at cards.
Matt Jeziorski
2019-06-13 14:44:16 +0000 UTCHi Ryan and Marshall. For Ryan, what was the most enjoyable moment/event you had while working at WOTC? Additionally, is there anything that you're particularly proud of doing for the MTG community during your time there?
Clayton T. Carlson
2019-06-13 14:43:28 +0000 UTCHey guys, I am interested in hearing your thoughts on the future of Arena and Mtgo. I've switched over to Arena almost exclusively for digital Magic. I only find myself loading up mtgo so I can cube, and even that is becoming less and less. Mtgo is a more expensive program and frankly drafts just dont fire with the same frequency as they once did. I've noticed the novelty formats on Arena like standard pauper, singleton, and the current War of the Spark Chronicles series are kinda filing that itch to play Magic in some format other than a competitive one. My dream for Arena would be real people drafts and being able to Cube. Do you think this will always remain a dream or is there a real shot at it in the future?
Matt Jeziorski
2019-06-13 14:30:26 +0000 UTCSome spells -- pumps, evasion, removal, cantrips, even creatures (like Spark Double) -- depend upon targeting a creature you control. I try to remind myself of this restriction when I see such cards while drafting. Do you think they deserve a mark-down in terms of rating/grade because of that? Should many even be avoided?
Ed Stackler
2019-06-13 14:09:48 +0000 UTCRyan and Marshall: With modern set design often featuring massively powerful color committing cards like Liliana, dreadhorde general and Glorybringer, how often is it optimal to just take one P1P1 and stick to it no matter what? Also, how often is it optimal to take slightly weaker cards in pack 1 to get mostly one color so you can grab a bomb if you see it near the beginning of pack 2? Ryan: Thoughts on Ugin's Conjurant?
Jason McMullan
2019-06-13 12:56:28 +0000 UTCHi Marshall and Ryan. Here's a question for both of you (sort of). Marshall, how much time do you spend working on the show beyond the time you actually spend recording it? Ryan, is that about how you remember it from when you were on the show, or has that process changed a lot over the years?
Jonah Comstock
2019-06-13 12:27:47 +0000 UTCHello, I have a finance-related Limited Resources question. Has consideration ever been given for using an independent monetization model for the podcast - i.e. something like Patreon only on an independent platform to cut out the middle man? I ask only because another podcast I listen to did this recently and it struck me as a pretty lucrative, albeit ambitious, idea. Thanks for all the content!
James Gardiner
2019-06-13 12:12:23 +0000 UTCHi, Marshall and hi, Ryan. This question is for Ryan. Your conversation of going optimal on Arena, and your going optimal stream, has helped me to recognize how important it is to be optimal when perfect is not reasonable. Being in the medical field, I have found this concept very beneficial in appropriate decision making. Do you apply these concepts of going optimal in your day to day life? If you do, can you provide a few examples how?
Cole Pelger
2019-06-13 12:02:12 +0000 UTCHi Marshall and Ryan, this one is for Ryan, what is your greatest moment in magic? A sick play or even designing something at WOTC. Thanks for the great content. Also as a side question, is there any embarrassing stories or moments about Marshall you can share with us
Josh McFarlane
2019-06-13 11:59:07 +0000 UTCHi Ryan! What would be some cards in Signature Spellbook: Ryan Spain? We know Marshall's will have a Man-O-War, Luis's will have a Divination or two, and both of theirs might have a Ravenous Chupacabra – how about yours? Thanks from a huge fan of the show from a long time :)
Mo
2019-06-13 11:54:17 +0000 UTCHi Ryan, what would be the top 3 things you have disagreed the most with since other co-hosts took over the show? PS: I have been listening since Brian W. era, so I only know you on the podcast since recently (expect for episode 441), and it's been awesome listening to you, so thanks!
Paul Vidal
2019-06-13 11:27:12 +0000 UTCThis question is for Ryan (but would enjoy hearing Marshall's hypothetical answer): if I remember correctly, one of the perks of working at WotC is a certain amount of free product. What did you blow your credits on? (Marshall: what sets from those 8 years would you have blown your credits on?)
John de Jong
2019-06-13 10:08:10 +0000 UTCHey Ryan, what a treat to have you back for two straight weeks! Are there lessons or heuristics/frameworks from the early days of LR that you think have changed in validity with modern limited sets?
Josh
2019-06-13 09:31:20 +0000 UTCRyan’s back again! Good stuff :D my important question is... what is the coffee/breakroom setup like at wizards? I’m sure some cards were designed when a fair bit of caffeine had been consumed! Love the show, will be listening on my commute in rainy England!
Peter Grosvenor-Attridge
2019-06-13 09:26:19 +0000 UTCHow did being in R&D change how you evaluate cards and how you play Magic not including the limits that WOTC puts on R&D members for playing Magic outside of work?
crushcastles23
2019-06-13 07:58:15 +0000 UTCFollow up question. so: where does your surname come from? Sounds quite specifically linked to a country:) is there a story behind?
Janusz Okoń
2019-06-13 07:55:52 +0000 UTCHey Ryan. I Just wanted to say that I joined in LSV era (started listening from his first show) but I have to admit I really enjoyed your designer hat observations in Modern Horizons set primer. Well done!
Janusz Okoń
2019-06-13 07:54:37 +0000 UTCHello Ryan. Is there a card you regret desing. E. G. Because there where some unwanted interactions, or it played out worse than expected. Also is there a card that turned out even better then expected.
Michael Greppmair
2019-06-13 07:51:09 +0000 UTCWe end up playing a lot of sealed. Not preferred, just how ball bounces with schedules. You guys skipped sealed show for RNA and haven't done one for WAR. Is that deliberate? An oversight? Can we get them earlier in format so more time to process and make use of? Or are they off the docket because people don't play as much sealed as they do draft? Also wondering if you can do one for Modern Horizons, as they seem to be dominating the GP limited main events. But maybe that's not what your audience wants. Thanks for all the content. Always helpful.
Gar Culbert
2019-06-13 07:46:33 +0000 UTCQuestion for Marshall,
Gar Culbert
2019-06-13 07:42:25 +0000 UTCHi Marshall and Ryan. Can you elaborate on what you look at when you evaluate "how does this deck win" when you draft. Since you can't know upfront what the games will actually be
Andrée
2019-06-13 07:38:30 +0000 UTCQuestion for Marshall - Is there any chance of getting Ryan on for the sunset shows. I love Ryan's content and getting to use his Game Designer brain there would be awesome.
Jay Stow
2019-06-13 07:36:54 +0000 UTCHi Marshall and Ryan! Hope that Luis, Voice of Hunger is recovered soon. I have two questions for Ryan: 1-Have you ever been in Spain? 2-What's the most valuable lesson you have learn on WotC? Thanks for answering.
Ferran Fons Titos
2019-06-13 07:33:56 +0000 UTCHi guys, love your work. I consider us fortunate to be able to get content from Ryan again. Q1. What does the future hold for Ryan Spain/GoingOptimal? Any other plans other than the streaming? Q2. Any general thoughts about the increased complexity of limited magic of late? E.g. WAR in general, 3 ability planeswalker at uncommon in M20, etc.
Jay Stow
2019-06-13 07:30:01 +0000 UTCHey Marshall and Ryan! Missing Luis, but glad to have Ryan back again - I'm not sure how long we've gone without hearing a Luis pun but we have to have set some sort of record already. Here's a question for Ryan: What's an example of a card you had a difficult time designing, and what's an example of a card that seems to have designed itself?
ScaldingHotSoup
2019-06-13 07:26:52 +0000 UTC
