Ep. 401 - Let's Gather Some Magic, with Esper Quinn

Video editor, white-blue-black player, and show note writer Esper Quinn planeswalks with the panel to discuss their first experiences playing Magic: the Gathering. Hosted by Alex Jaffe, with Frank Cifaldi, Ash Parrish, Brandon Sheffield, and Esper Quinn. Edited by Esper Quinn, original music by Kurt Feldman.

SHOW NOTES:

• Carddass

• Bandai

• Capcom

• Namco

• “Ach! Hans, run! It’s Insert Credit!”

• Orzhov Syndicate

• Selesnya Conclave

• Esper

• Obscura

• Magic: the Gathering

• Ravnica

• House Dimir

• Street Fighter series

• Izzet League

1: Brandon, Frank, and Jaffe, how were your experiences with Magic: the Gathering? (04:13)

• Magic: The Gathering Arena

• D.I.C.E. Summit

• Vampire: The Masquerade

• Ian Adams

• Microsoft Solitaire

• Final Fantasy series

• Jumpstart

• Baraduk Wallace

• Marmaduke

• Chun-Li

• Chocobo

• Banned and Restricted Announcement – June 30, 2025

• Mana cost

• Folk music

• The Freight

• Planned Parenthood

• Cloud Strife

• Tifa Lockhart

• Sephiroth

• Antiquities

• Urzatron

• Strip Mine

• Demon Wall

• Triple Triad

• Fallout series

2: Why was this Final Fantasy Magic set so successful? (35:37)

• PC Engine

• Bonk

• Valis

• Marvel’s Spider-Man set

• Lord of the Rings set

• Pokémon Trading Card Game

• Funko Pop

• Beanie Babies

• Kinder Egg

• Phyrexia: All Will Be One

• Edge of Eternities

• Avatar: the Last Airbender

Online Multiplayer: What is the first AAA game? (45:29)

3: Spencer asks, what can video games learn from card games? (49:07)

• Amiibo

• Mario

• Bowser

• Tekken series

• Cid, Timeless Artificer

• Minecraft

• Roblox

• Sonic

• Halo series

• Call of Duty series

• Master Chief

• Ninja Gaiden

• Suikoden

• Katy Perry - Dark Horse ft. Juicy J

• Katy Perry - I Kissed a Girl

• Super Bowl LI halftime show

• Phil Salvador

• Taylor Swift

4: Which video games best represent each of Magic’s five colors? (58:21)

• White

• Pikmin

• EarthBound

• Albert Odyssey

• The Secret of Monkey Island

• Sid Meier's Civilization

• Blue

• The Talos Principle

• Balatro

• Sokoban

• Black

• Soulslike

• NeverDead

• Red

• Knuckles’ Chaotix

• Super Smash Brothers series

• Quake

• Green

• Monster Hunter

• StarCraft

• Tower defense

LIGHTNING ROUND: Name Design - Magic Names and Art (01:05:40)

• Chaos Confetti

• Stangg

• Cyclonic Rift

• Sanguine Bond

• Cadaverous Bloom

• Underworld Dreams

• Genesis Wave

• Shark Typhoon

• Dingus Egg

• Bone to Ash

Recommendations and Outro (01:16:15):

• Esper: Read comics by companies other than Marvel or DC like The Power Fantasy or East of West

• Brandon: Black Sabbath, Ludwig

• Ash: Anciliary Justice

• Frank: Come see Frank on his “Not Afraid to Say It!” Tour at Long Island Retro, PAX, and Portland Retro Gaming Expo

DIRTBAGS:

You can submit your questions to the show using this form. And, thanks!