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Three Lessons From One Denise
A Thanks to the World’s Most Complicated Game
I believe Magic: The Gathering to be the best card game of our time. For younger and older generations seeking to understand the appeal of the now-aged game, I offer a brief primer, three lessons, and one goblin below.
Released in 1993 by Richard Garfield and guided today by Mark Rosewater, one of my first memories of the game involved being entranced by the card Primal Clay, and not just for its looks. It had options! If I wanted to beat my next-door neighbor, I would have to choose one of three possible creatures.
Playing Magic: The Gathering is to learn how to problem-solve on your own. To do well is to need help and this is the best aspect of any social game. The intricacies and variations within are just as deep as the people who enjoy it as much as you will. What they can teach you about the game is chess, but in beautiful technicolor. The second best part? Magic: The Gathering is not just for grown-ups and you should never take anyone’s age for granted.
Even adults tend to forget how cute Magic: The Gathering was as a kid. Just look how USA Today described the game at eleven:
“Drop into any suburban American toy or hobby store on a Friday night and you are likely…
