Magic will never go mainstream because...

1) The "rare" card concept. Therefore, it's too EXPENSIVE for mainstream. Thank God there's an outlet for that, and that's Apprentice. You needn't own a single card to play.

And the Rare card concept is a necessary "evil" to keep profits optimized at WotC, to make the Pro Tour possible which brings in advertising dollars, and it all keeps these cards in production.

2) The rules are just too complicated (not complex) for 96% of the human race. Try printing out the rules. It's a quarter inch stack of paper. That's quite intimidating to the mainstream. Monopoly it ain't.

So congratulations. If you're reading this or play Magic, then you are probably in the top 4% of humans in terms of intelligence. Consider it a gift; don't get cocky. Gizmo is purportedly in the top 0.2%, and Finkel is just sick that way. :-)

3) Magic is arithmetical in play and mathematical in design. Many can master arithmetic, like bookkeepers... But few can master Math. Math is creative. Roughly 20% of the world's people are creative (the top 20%, in fact - think about it - no, keep thinking), and roughly 20% are arithmetically inclined. 20% times 20% equals 4%. Congratulations, you win. Unless you play with Cameos.

But 4% is still a large percentage of six billion people. And very few of the six billion in that 4% range can afford to play Magic. Again you win.

Good News: 4% of the world's women are in the top 4% in terms of beauty and overall quality. Beautiful women of quality and intelligent men. Seems like a natural "combo" to me. ;-)

4) WHITE is the color of EVIL. What Would Satan Do? The Coward would hide behind circles of protection, give himself life because he needs it since he's so weak, inspire you to be a Rebel and challenge the established order, disguise his demons as angels and give them swords, and generally give himself a "nice guy" image.

God forbid he should nobly sacrifice life and cards, playing his life with restrictions and drawbacks, send his forces in to fight the good fight with Mercenaries - or GOOD guys, whom he would strongly get you to disparage by painting them BLACK. And God forbid he would try to DISCARD or DESTROY evil creatures.

5) The only card I have a problem with is "Demonic Attorney," which is redundant. "Attorney" would have been sufficient, or "Hasbro Accountant." Either one works for me. And the picture on Earthbind and the upside-down pentagram on Unholy Strength didn't help us much.

Peace,
Greg Smith
Team Hacked
:-)
This is my website: Priorities of Life
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